Weekly WHS Update (20th to 30th March 2026)

Please find below this week’s Work Health and Safety update, summarising regulatory news, enforcement actions, and a couple of serious incidents around Australia from 20–30 March 2026. We’ve highlighted what’s important and what it means for your organisation. Here’s what you need to know:

Key Updates This Week:

• National/All: 23 Mar 2026 – Safe Work Australia: Opened public consultation on crane licensing reforms. Proposed changes include new licence types and updated competency requirements for crane operators. Affects any employer or worker involved in crane operations.
  Action: review the draft impact analysis; consider submitting feedback (closes 4 May) to inform future licensing rules.
  
  
• ACT: No new updates found this week (last checked 30/03/2026 17:45 AEDT).
  
  
• NT: 30 Mar 2026 – NT WorkSafe: Published new and revised Codes of Practice. Three new codes cover silica management, healthcare WHS, and fatigue, and seven existing codes (e.g. confined spaces, construction, noise, plant) were updated. 
  Affects all employers.
  Action: download and review any new/updated codes relevant to your work; update policies and training accordingly. (No immediate hazard.)
  
  
• NSW: 20 Mar 2026 – SafeWork NSW: Steel-Line Garage Doors fined $450,000 (imposed, reduced to $270K after plea discount) after a worker was struck by a forklift and seriously injured (Oct 2022).
  Roles: warehouse/logistics managers.
  Action: enforce strict forklift controls (traffic management, operator training, spotters, PPE). URGENT reminder: moving plant hazards are preventable.
  
  27 Mar 2026 – SafeWork NSW: General Forest fined $70,000 after a falling tree-trunk severed a worker’s finger (Nov 2022).
  Roles: forestry/landscaping contractors.
  Action: enforce exclusion zones, proper supervision and safe felling techniques when cutting trees. URGENT: treat falling-object hazards with highest controls.
  
  27 Mar 2026 – SafeWork NSW: Released first half-yearly report (Jul–Dec 2025). It shows 79 WHS investigations (52 prosecutions) and 7,570 service requests (41% construction, 19% psychosocial issues).
  Industry: safety regulators and business leaders.
  Action: use the data to identify trends (e.g. construction risks, mental health) and allocate resources accordingly; share insights with teams.
  
  
• QLD: 20 Mar 2026 – WorkSafe Qld: Alert on three entrapment incidents in fixed machinery (food-mixing, bagging and bench-top cleaning). All three workers suffered serious injuries when unguarded moving parts operated during adjustment or cleaning. Roles: factory/plant managers, operators, maintenance crews.
  Action (URGENT): implement strict lockout–tagout (isolate power) and full machine guarding when servicing/cleaning; ensure safe work procedures and training cover all machinery hazards.
  
  30 Mar 2026 – WorkSafe Qld: Fatal cane rail incident – locomotive shunting caused a worker’s death (Oct 2025).
  Industry: sugar mills/transport.
  Action (URGENT): review rail shunting procedures: prohibit flying shunts, enforce remote lowering of bins, establish exclusion zones and safe work permits as per QLD alert.
  
  
• SA: 20 Mar 2026 – SafeWork SA: Adelaide hotel operator fined $250,000 (reduced to $150K) after a worker suffered 80% burns refuelling an ethanol burner.
  Industry: hospitality/events with decorative fire features.
  Action: ethanol burners are “inherently dangerous” – follow manufacturer’s instructions, use spill-proof nozzles, cool unit fully before refuelling, and train/supervise all staff on safe refuelling protocols.
  
  
• TAS: No new updates found this week (last checked 30/03/2026 17:45 AEDT).
  
  
• VIC: 27 Mar 2026 – WorkSafe Vic: Two companies (tank seller and transporter) fined a total of $115K after a 475 kg rainwater tank fell and crushed a homeowner during delivery. Roles: construction, transport, delivery contractors.
  Action: ensure exclusion zones and traffic management plans when loading/unloading heavy tanks or equipment; use proper handling gear and supervise deliveries. URGENT: heavy suspended loads must never have bystanders in drop zones.
  
  
• WA: 27 Mar 2026 – WorkSafe WA: Introduced an exemption allowing operators of small, low-risk mines (surface-only, ≤5 workers) to appoint a Site Senior Executive via a simplified assessment (SMSPA).
  Industry: small-scale mining.
  Action: if you run an eligible small mine, consider using the SMSPA alternative to meet licensing requirements. (This reduces admin without lowering safety – ensure ongoing compliance with WA WHS (Mines) laws.)
  
  

What You Should Do This Week:

• Review and reinforce machine safety: ensure all moving machinery has locks, guards and isolation controls. Update lockout/tagout procedures and train staff on safe cleaning and maintenance.
• Check heavy load procedures: for any loads ≥100 kg, establish exclusion zones and written load-handling procedures.
• Update tree-work practices: mandate helmets, secure felling zones, and designate an observer.
• Download new Codes of Practice (NT) and review any changes applicable to your work.
• Raise team awareness: circulate this update or host a toolbox talk on this week’s incidents (forklifts, falls, entrapments) and immediate controls.
• If using cranes, note the SWA consultation and plan to submit feedback by 4 May.

Sources:

Please feel free to reach out if you need further details on any of these items or assistance implementing the recommended actions. Stay safe and have a great week ahead!

Compiled by: Work Safety Hub – Helping organisations build safer, stronger workplaces.
🔗 worksafetyhub.com.au