New SafeWork SA initiative helps improve workplace safety

New SafeWork SA Initiative Helps Improve Workplace Safety

SafeWork SA has launched a new interactive website, making it easier for businesses across every industry to find and get in touch with accredited WHS experts. This new SafeWork SA initiative helps improve workplace safety by connecting employers with specialists who understand real risk on the ground.

The webpage 'Sourcing and engaging WHS professionals' provides information on the duties of various WHS professionals, such as ergonomists, occupational hygienists and generalists, and includes links to local, skilled and accredited specialists.

A First-of-its-Kind Partnership

According to the workplace safety regulator, this initiative represents the first partnership of its kind between SafeWork SA and national organisations, which include the Australian Institute of Health and Safety (AIHS), the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH), and the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of Australia (HFESA).

These bodies bring decades of combined expertise across construction, manufacturing, healthcare and transport sectors, giving businesses confidence that any professional listed meets rigorous accreditation standards. For organisations managing office workplace safety or complex industrial sites alike, having a trusted directory reduces the guesswork involved in sourcing compliant support.

Why This Matters for High-Risk Industries

Businesses operating heavy plant, electrical systems or transport fleets face unique hazardous exposures that generalist advice cannot always address. Occupational hygienists, for instance, specialise in assessing hazardous substances and airborne contaminants, while ergonomists focus on reducing physical strain associated with repetitive plant operation.

Access to accredited specialists supports compliance across several key areas, including:

• Plant and equipment risk assessments for manufacturing and construction sites
• Electrical safety reviews for facilities managing high-voltage or complex wiring systems
• Transport and logistics risk management, including fleet and driver safety
• Hazardous substance handling guidance for healthcare and industrial settings
• Ergonomic assessments to reduce musculoskeletal risk across various industry settings

This resource sits alongside other SafeWork SA efforts, such as their recent campaign aimed at improving safety on farms, reflecting a broader commitment to reducing risk across South Australian workplaces.

Executive Director's Comments

SafeWork SA Executive Director Glenn Farrell said: "Collaboration is key to making positive impacts on health and safety and I'm delighted to host this new, user-friendly, resource, which is the first of its type in Australia. It has never been easier for businesses to identify and contact certified professionals who can help them tackle current and emerging WHS issues."

Supporting Compliance Across Industry Sectors

For technical professionals managing risk in construction, manufacturing or healthcare, this platform offers a practical starting point for sourcing plant safety advice, electrical compliance support or transport risk specialists without lengthy searches.

Given that regulatory compliance obligations vary significantly between industry sectors, having pre-vetted resources available through a single access point helps reduce administrative burden while maintaining rigorous safety standards. Businesses seeking further guidance can also review workplace safety rules for comparable jurisdictions to benchmark their own practices.

Visit the SafeWork SA website for additional details, or explore SafetyDocs' coverage of SafeWork SA's national WHS survey for further context on how the regulator continues to strengthen safety outcomes across industry.