Thursday 1st April 2021

NSW Safety News Roundup – Thursday 1st April 2021

This week's safety news wrap covers three major developments across Australia's workplace health and safety landscape. NSW flood victims gain fee relief, a rogue Queensland electrical operator faces court action, and Sydney food delivery operators receive improvement notices following a compliance blitz.

NSW Government Waiving Licence Fees

The New South Wales (NSW) government has announced they will be waiving fees to replace a range of licences and permits lost due to recent flooding across the state.

Eligible licences and permits include:

• Asbestos Removal (Class A and B)
• Demolition (DE1 and DE2)
• High Risk Work licences
• Security clearance
• Traffic Control Work Training

You can find a list of flood affected areas here. If you qualify for the fee waiver, simply call 13 10 50 or visit your nearest Service NSW Centre.

The complete list of eligible licences and permits can be found on the SafeWork NSW website. For 1st response guidance during natural disasters, businesses across Australia should review their emergency preparedness documentation regularly.

Rogue Electrical Operator to Head Back to Court

In Queensland's Southport Magistrates Court, the Electrical Safety Office (ESO) was granted an injunction to prevent a repeat rogue electrical operator from performing further electrical work in Queensland.

Following an investigation by the ESO, it is alleged the operator advertised on Airtasker for contract work, then performed electrical work without appropriate licences between 21st March and 19th October 2019.

The operator had previously been issued improvement notices preventing them from performing electrical work or electrical contracting without a valid licence, notices they reportedly ignored over several months.

Head of ESO Donna Heelan said, "Once again, we've had to go to court to stop these people potentially putting Queenslanders' lives at risk."

"For those contemplating some moonlighting, if you're caught doing electrical work without a licence in Queensland you face on the spot fines and possible prosecution."

Head to the WorkSafe QLD website to read the complete article.

Safety Blitz Puts Food Delivery Operators on Notice

Multiple food delivery operators have been issued improvement notices after SafeWork NSW completed a compliance blitz across Sydney's metropolitan area.

SafeWork NSW identified widespread non-compliance with workplace health and safety laws throughout the state. Six improvement notices were issued to operators including Uber Eats, Hungry Panda, and Menulog for failing to inform and instruct riders on safe work practices and appropriate safety equipment.

Minister for Better Regulation Kevin Anderson said, "What we've seen is disgraceful – riders out in the dark without high-vis, wearing thongs, cutting in front of trams, using mobile phones and giving passengers a lift while on the job."

"Enough is enough. In the last 12 months alone, four lives have been lost in this industry, and I won't sit on my hands while vulnerable workers are at risk."

Food delivery operators have until 14th April to improve their safety systems or risk a fine of up to $3,000 or prosecution. Read the full media release on the SafeWork NSW website.

Stay Informed on Safety Developments

Keeping up to date with regulatory changes across Australia helps businesses maintain compliance and protect workers. Catch up on our previous roundup from Thursday 29th April 2021, browse coverage from Thursday 22nd April 2021, or check developments reported on Thursday 15th April 2021 for further context on these evolving stories.