Safety Around Your Vehicle Compliance Project Launched by SafeWork NSW and 2021 National Return to Work Survey Released

SafeWork NSW Launches Stage 2 of Safety Around Your Vehicle Compliance Project

SafeWork NSW has launched the second stage of its Safety Around Your Vehicle Compliance Project. The campaign aims to promote safer work practices for tasks performed around vehicles across NSW workplaces. SafeWork Executive Director, Tony Williams, said tasks performed around vehicles were the leading cause of death and non-driving serious injuries in road transport and logistics. “During Stage 1 of the project, 1 March to 30 August 2021, inspectors visited 327 transport and construction businesses throughout NSW, issuing 71 notices. They focused on promoting safer work practices for transport operators when loading, unloading and working around vehicles,” Mr Williams said. “Stage 2 is extended to carry out visits across the supply chain including retail, manufacturing, and wholesale sectors. Inspectors will focus on high-risk tasks in and around heavy vehicles and plant, such as loading and unloading, forklift safety and traffic management. This stage of the project will run until the end of June 2022.”

Recent Incidents Highlight Need for Safer Vehicle Practices

SafeWork NSW said a number of serious incidents involving plant and vehicles have recently occurred. In August, a 19-year-old worker was fatally struck by a forklift while collecting chickens in a poultry shed near Tamworth. In another incident during October, a 59-year-old crane operator was pinned against a wall while unloading an air conditioning unit from a truck in Thornleigh. Both incidents underscore why traffic management and plant safety remain priorities for NSW workplaces. Additional information on the Safety Around Your Vehicle campaign is available on the SafeWork NSW website. Read the full story on the SafeWork NSW website.

Initial Findings of the 2021 National Return to Work Survey Released

Summary: Safe Work Australia has released initial findings from the 2021 National Return to Work Survey, showing a national returned to work rate of 91.6% and a current return to work rate of 81.3%. Safe Work Australia has released the initial findings of the 2021 National Return to Work Survey. The report, titled 2021 National Return to Work Survey Headline Measures Report, provides an overview of key return to work measures captured in the survey.

Understanding the Return to Work Rates

Safe Work Australia said the results show a national returned to work rate of 91.6% and a current return to work rate of 81.3%. According to Safe Work Australia, the "returned to work rate" refers to the proportion of workers who said they had returned to work following a work-related injury or illness. The "current return to work rate" refers to the proportion of workers who reported returning to work after a work-related injury or illness and remained in paid employment when the survey was conducted. These measures help employers and safety professionals track recovery outcomes and benchmark return to work performance across industries. For organisations managing their own return to work plan, this data offers valuable context for recovery planning and management practices. Safe Work Australia said it will publish a more detailed 2021 National Return to Work Survey summary report early next year. Read the full 2021 National Return to Work Survey Headline Measures Report here.

Strengthening Workplace Safety Across NSW and Australia

Both initiatives reflect a broader push by SafeWork NSW and Safe Work Australia to improve workplace outcomes for workers nationwide. From vehicle and plant safety compliance to recovery and return to work management, these programs demonstrate how coordinated safety efforts protect health outcomes across industries. Businesses seeking to strengthen their own safety management systems may find it useful to review resources such as the Work Health and Safety Manual (WHSM) or update their WHS Policy to align with current SafeWork NSW guidance. Employers can also learn more about industry-wide safety initiatives at the Workplace Health and Safety Show.