NSW INTRODUCES STRONG NEW WORKPLACE SAFETY LAWS

NSW is leading the way with the strongest workplace safety laws in the country thanks to new legislation passed by the NSW Parliament today.
 
Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation, Kevin Anderson said major amendments introduced under the Work Health and Safety Amendment (Review) Bill 2020 will make it easier to prosecute a Category 1 offence which can lead to prison time, increase fines for breaches of the Act and mandate strict laws to stop the use of insurance to pay fines. 
 
“NSW is leading the way in workplace health and safety with the strongest legislation in the country,” Mr Anderson said.
 
“Our new laws work by targeting those who are doing the wrong thing and failing to protect workers by failing to properly manage workplace risks.
 
“These laws are all about putting safety first, because everyone deserves to return home to their family at the end of the working day.”
 
The laws will enable SafeWork NSW to prosecute those who are aware of or knowingly create a workplace risk, and fail to address that risk, before this conduct leads to a serious injury or death.
 
“We’re lifting workplace safety in NSW by making it everyone’s responsibility, and we’re sending a clear message that behavior that puts NSW workers at risk won’t be tolerated.”
 
“These laws act as a strong deterrent, putting the right processes in place to punish anyone engaging in unsafe practices before there’s a serious incident.”
 
The legislation was drafted in line with a national review of the model Work Health and Safety laws, and included widespread consultation with businesses, workers, unions, employer associations, industry associations, legal practitioners, academics, government agencies, non-government agencies and regulators.