WHS Insider Newsletter - Amazon’s warehouse safety failures spark fears

The WHS Insider Newsletter is sent out every Monday to work health and safety professionals and executives across Australia. Email it to co-workers and team members to stay up to date with Australian WHS laws and regulations.

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WHS Updates

• SafeWork NSW collaborate with Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre to conduct emergency repairs on aging equipment to reopen the facility. Link
• WorkSafe Tasmania require notification for any processing work on legacy engineered stone due to a full ban on its manufacture, supply, processing, and installation in Tasmania. Link
• WorkSafe Victoria charge a cured meats manufacturer after a worker was seriously injured by a reversing forklift at its Mickleham warehouse. Link
• WorkSafe Victoria approve and license a Class A asbestos removal specialist for the South Melbourne Town Hall restoration project. Link
• Workplace Health and Safety Queensland introduce new resources including a checklist for lead paint removal compliance and a site visit checklist for suspended scaffolding, while removing older resources like the guardrail installation checklist and industry comparative calculator. Link
• WorkSafe Tasmania encourage businesses to update their workplace safety systems for 2025 with guidance available on their website. Link
• WorkSafe Victoria remind duty holders, including employers, principal contractors and supervisors to ensure platform systems are safe after employee falls through stair void on construction site. Link

WHS Compliance

Highlight - Regulatory Bodies and Standards

Australia’s WHS laws are governed by national guidelines and state/territory regulators. Knowing the key organisations and accessing relevant standards ensures your business meets legal requirements and protects worker safety.

Safe Work Australia - Safe Work Australia oversee national WHS laws, codes of practice, and guidance materials. Link

WHS Information

Accessing reliable work health and safety (WHS) information is essential for Australian businesses striving to create safe and compliant workplaces.

What is a SWMS?

In Australia, few documents are as essential as the Safe Work Method Statement, commonly known as a SWMS.

It’s a cornerstone of risk management, particularly in high-risk construction activities. While the term may be familiar to many, its true significance and practical applications often remain under appreciated.

A SWMS is a formal document that outlines how specific high-risk construction work will be carried out safely. Link

WHS Trends

Staying informed about work health and safety (WHS) trends is vital for businesses aiming to adapt to evolving risks and regulations.

Amazon’s warehouse safety failures spark fears

Recent revelations about serious injuries in Amazon’s UK warehouses should set alarm bells ringing for Australian work health and safety professionals.

With dozens of workers suffering injuries including blindings and amputations, could similar incidents be happening in our own backyard?

The tech giant’s aggressive expansion into the Australian market, coupled with its infamous performance-driven culture, creates a perfect storm for potential WHS disasters. Link

WHS Moves

• Antony Arena joins SafeWork NSW as Director from serving as Risk Management, Audit and Assurance at Transport for NSW. Link 
• Yasmin Cox leaves Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, where she served as Executive Director, Specialised Health and Safety Services, Office of Industrial Relations, and joins SafeWork NSW as Executive Director, Regulatory Capability and Harm Prevention. Link
• Amy Yang completes an internship with SafeWork NSW, focusing on data extraction and modelling from social media to analyse online sentiments about mental health. Link
• Stephanie Mirowski leaves WorkSafe Tasmania as a Senior Projects Manager to join Baptcare as an NDIS Baptcare Community Project Manager. Link
• Mano De Silva joins Workplace Health and Safety Queensland as Lead Inspector. Link
• William Parry joins Safe Work Australia as Acting Director, previously serving as Assistant Director at the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Link
• Kirsten Hughes, an Accredited Specialist in Administrative Law, leaves WorkSafe Victoria. Link
• Josh McGaw joins Workplace Health and Safety Queensland as Senior Investigator, previously holding the same position at WorkSafe Victoria. Link

WHS Jobs

• Warrigal Care seek a Work Health and Safety Advisor in Albion Park Rail with a salary range of $41.60- $56.26 per hour. Link
• SA Health - Central Adelaide Local Health Network seek a Senior WHS Consultant in Adelaide with a salary range of $85,790 - $95,413 per annum. Link
• City of Belmont seek a part-time Work Health & Safety Officer in Perth with a salary of $80,384 – $85,267 per annum pro rata. Link
• Australian Government Department of Defence seek a Work Health Safety and Environment Officer (APS 6) in Perth WA with a salary range of $91,702 - $104,753 per annum. Link
• Environment Protection Authority Victoria seek a Manager, Safety & Wellbeing in Melbourne with a salary range of $134,593 - $180,115 per annum. Link
• Queensland Government Department of Justice and Attorney-General (and Office of Public Guardian) seek a Workplace Health and Safety Officer in Brisbane with a salary range of $87,790 - $96,217 per annum. Link
• Queensland Police Service seek a Manager, Psychosocial Health and Safety in Brisbane with a salary range of $142,760 - $150,874 per annum. Link

Thank you for reading this issue of the WHS Insider Newsletter. Email it to co-workers and team members to stay up to date with Australian WHS laws and regulations.

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