NSW safety blitz targets food delivery riders and platforms

NSW Safety Blitz Targets Food Delivery Riders and Platforms

NSW Police and SafeWork inspectors are in Sydney this week to ensure food delivery riders and platforms are following new safety rules. The joint operation focuses on compliance checks across high-risk delivery zones throughout the city.

Why This Safety Blitz Matters

SafeWork NSW Acting Executive Director for Compliance and Dispute Resolution Sarina Wise said the campaign aims to ensure food delivery platforms provide riders with induction training and high-quality personal protective equipment. Proper training and equipment form the backbone of a safe work environment for riders navigating busy Sydney streets.

"SafeWork NSW and NSW Police will be engaging with riders in high-risk locations during typically busy periods," Ms Wise said. This targeted approach allows inspectors to reach riders when road risks are highest and enforcement has the greatest impact on health outcomes.

What The New Laws Require

New safety laws that began on 1 January 2023 required all riders to use or wear personal protective equipment while delivering food or drink. These laws place clear obligations on platforms to support riders with proper induction, equipment, and ongoing safety guidance.

For businesses operating delivery services, understanding these obligations is essential. Our detailed breakdown of new safety laws for NSW food delivery riders explains what platforms must do to stay compliant, while our earlier coverage of new laws boosting food delivery rider safety in NSW outlines the background behind these reforms.

How Platforms Can Support Compliance

Delivery platforms operating across NSW should treat this blitz as a prompt to review their safety systems. Practical steps include:

• Providing thorough induction training before riders begin work
• Supplying high-quality personal protective equipment at no cost to riders
• Maintaining accessible safety resources riders can reference on the road
• Reviewing rider health and wellbeing policies regularly
• Keeping records that demonstrate ongoing compliance with SafeWork requirements

Similar enforcement patterns have appeared elsewhere in the sector — our report on a joint safety blitz targeting falls and workplace psychosocial hazards shows regulators are increasingly coordinating across multiple risk areas, not just delivery work.

Building A Stronger Safety Culture

Businesses managing delivery teams or broader logistics operations benefit from robust documentation. Our Work Health and Safety Manual provides a comprehensive guide for organisations wanting to formalise their safety systems, while our transport and delivery services management system resources offer sector-specific guidance for operators managing fleets of riders or drivers.

Employers seeking a wider guide to obligations can also review our Objectives and Targets Policy, which supports businesses setting measurable safety goals across their operations.

Staying Informed

SafeWork NSW's enforcement activity signals ongoing scrutiny of the delivery sector, and further news on compliance outcomes is expected as the blitz continues. Riders, platforms, and businesses alike should stay across updates to ensure obligations under current laws are met consistently.

For organisations wanting expert-reviewed safety templates and services covering a wide range of industries, explore our full range of workplace health and safety resources, or read customer reviews and testimonials from businesses that rely on our services to strengthen their safety systems. You can also learn more at our Workplace Health and Safety Show page for upcoming industry events and news.

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