National Safe Work Month: NT WorkSafe invites workplaces to take part this October

Answer first: NT WorkSafe is encouraging businesses and employees to create safe and healthy work environments throughout the Territory in observance of National Safe Work Month, an annual campaign held across Australia every October.

Key points at a glance

• When: Right through October 2025.
• Theme: Safety: every job, every day.
• Who should join: Every Territory workplace – no matter the occupation, industry, location, or size.
• Why it matters: Daily vigilance keeps workers returning home to family and friends.

The 2025 theme puts safety on the daily agenda

The theme for this year, safety: every job, every day, motivates all workplaces – no matter the occupation, industry, location, or size – to emphasise safety on a daily basis. Rather than treating risk control as an annual tick-box exercise, the campaign asks crews to build safe habits into pre-start meetings, toolbox talks, and shift handovers.

Safe Work Australia coordinates the national campaign, while each state and territory regulator adds local activity. Similar backing has come from other jurisdictions, including WorkSafe WA, whose inspectors also promote the message across worksites.

New Territory regulator urges every workplace to lead

Grant Hastie, the new Work Health and Safety Regulator for the Northern Territory, recently arriving from Queensland, has encouraged every workplace to place safety as their top priority.

“All Territorians deserve to go to work and come home safely each day to enjoy the unique Territory lifestyle we have with our family and friends.”

“While the lifestyle here is relaxed, it’s important we stay vigilant about health and safety in the workplace,” Mr Hastie said.

Regulators elsewhere take a hands-on approach during October, with inspectors visiting workplaces to discuss practical controls with duty holders.

Electrical hazards warrant close attention this October

Among the risks worth reviewing during the safety month, electrical hazards rank highly for construction, manufacturing, and maintenance teams. Serious harm can occur in seconds, so verification beats assumption.

• Confirm that any electrical work is performed only by appropriately licensed and competent tradespeople.
• Test and tag portable electrical equipment at the intervals set by AS/NZS 3760 and your risk assessment.
• Withdraw damaged electrical leads, plugs, and extension cords from service immediately, then tag them out.
• Verify that residual current devices are fitted, tested, and recorded on maintenance registers.
• Report notifiable electrical incidents to the regulator and investigate near misses with equal rigour.
• Engage reputable electrical contractors for switchboard upgrades, temporary supply, and repairs.

Pair these checks with a documented procedure for every high-risk task – from excavation to a rigging safe work procedure – so controls stay consistent across crews and shifts.

How Territory businesses can take part

Participation costs nothing and scales to suit sole traders through to large contractors:

• Run an event: Host a toolbox talk, morning tea, or site walk-around focused on one hazard.
• Attend free seminars: Local sessions, webinars, and industry events feature speakers who share practical lessons from real incidents.
• Refresh your documentation: Review risk registers, procedures, and training records for currency.
• Share resources: Print posters and checklists for lunchrooms, vehicles, and site sheds.

Wrap up each event with a short debrief and a written action list, naming who owns each improvement and by when. Free campaign resources are available from Safe Work Australia, while jurisdictional guidance resources sit on regulator websites.

Support your campaign with ready-made documentation

Workers are urged to speak up when something looks unsafe, and management systems should make reporting simple. Our National Safe Work Month offers give Australian businesses discounted access to expertly written templates, with full terms and conditions published online. Readers can also see how Australians promote safer worksites during the campaign.

Where to find further information

For more information on Territory activities, visit the NT WorkSafe media release or the Safe Work Australia campaign hub.