Safety information for your sector

This page contains information and resources for all people who work in the health care and social assistance (HCSA) sector.

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Managing harms

The nature of the work in this sector presents specific hazards for workers. It is important you know what the hazards are in your workplace so you can assess the risks they pose.

Find a list of common hazards and learn how to manage the risks below.

SafeWork NSW activities

Our commitment to the sector

Read about SafeWork NSW's commitment to the health care and social assistance sector, including our action plan to 2025.

Industry action report

SafeWork NSW has released a practical, co-designed guide to help employers address burnout, an escalating issue in the HCSA sector. This Industry Action Report offers clear, evidence-based strategies to manage burnout risks at the organisational level, where the biggest impact can be made.

Drawing on local and international research, the report highlights key drivers like excessive workloads, poor culture, and low peer support. It reinforces employers’ legal duty to manage psychosocial hazards.

In the end, safer work leads to safer care.

Download the report (PDF, 1880.72 KB).

When to notify SafeWork NSW

If there is a serious injury, illness, dangerous incident, or death relating to staff, customers or visitors to your worksite or your place of employment (even if it's off-site), you must report it to us immediately.

Incidents can be notified 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 13 10 50. If you're unsure of whether to notify, use Safe Work Australia's Incident notification information sheet to help you decide. Read more about notifying SafeWork NSW.

Codes of practice and your legal obligations

Hazardous chemicals

Exposure to chemicals is 100% preventable. Without the proper controls chemical exposure can cause cancer, respiratory illnesses, skin and eye irritations, as well as fire and explosion-related injuries.

Our Hazardous Chemicals Code of Practice (PDF, 1171.43 KB) to help you manage hazardous chemicals in the workplace.

Manual tasks

For many businesses, manual tasks are an important part of getting the job done. Some of these tasks can be hazardous and are often the most common cause of workplace injuries.

Our Hazardous manual tasks Code of Practice (PDF, 1499.23 KB) can help you create a safer work environment.

Psychosocial hazards at work

NSW businesses need to manage exposure to psychosocial hazards and risks to psychological and physical health and safety at work.

Our Managing psychosocial hazards at work code of practice can help you manage psychosocial hazards at work.

Managing the work environment and facilities (remote and isolated work)

Download SafeWork NSW's Code of Practice for Managing the work environment and facilities (PDF, 422.29 KB).

Resources

Translated resources

There is a range of support and information available to you if you’re faced with a difficult situation at work.

The getting support at work pocket guide (PDF, 182.07 KB) is your starting point to finding the support you need. It is available in the following languages:

Visit our translated resources hub for other print, web and multimedia resources.

Videos

This video discusses making the health and safety of workers a priority within the health care and social assistance sector.

Subtitles are available in the following languages: Arabic, Nepali, Punjabi, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Filipino (Tagalog) and Vietnamese.

This video explains how we help the health care and social assistance sector provide safer work, safer care.

Model Code of Practice

PCBUs in the health care and social assistance sector can refer to the Model Code of Practice for Health Care and Social Assistance developed by Safe Work Australia. The Code includes practical examples relevant to hospitals, aged care, and disability support services, helping duty holders manage common WHS risks. View the Code.

Manager’s WHS toolkit

The Manager's WHS toolkit provides the health care and social assistance sector with key resources to help them manage health and safety in their workplace.

Related information

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