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Georgina Mercer02/03/2026 7:01:40 PM8 min read

Weekly WHS Round-Up 25th February to 2nd March 2026

Weekly WHS Round-Up 25th February to 2nd March 2026
12:24

Weekly WHS Update (25th February to 2nd March 2026)

Summary: This week’s regulatory focus balanced enforcement and prevention. NSW regulators again targeted falls from height hazards, an Illawarra Turf Club was fined $200,000 for a rooftop fall breach while also launching psychosocial risk initiatives (free sexual harassment workshops in NSW). Across the country, Safe Work Australia opened a national asbestos framework review (inviting feedback on strengthening asbestos controls) and is consulting on heavy equipment safety. Regulators are also honoring good practice: WorkSafe Victoria’s awards highlighted industry excellence in safety and return to work programs. In short, regulators are enforcing critical physical hazards (heights, machinery) and pushing prevention of emerging risks (asbestos, harassment, psychosocial).

What You Should Do This Week

  • Review asbestos controls. Ensure your asbestos registers and removal procedures are up to date, and consider contributing to Safe Work Australia’s Asbestos Framework Review consultation (feedback closes 26 Apr).
  • Strengthen height safety measures. The Turf Club case shows that unsecured roofs/skylights can cost $200K. Check that fall protection (guardrails, harnesses, work procedures) are in place and complied with on all elevated work sites.
  • Address workplace harassment. Model respectful workplace policies and plan staff training. SafeWork NSW is offering free “From Risk to Respect” workshops on preventing sexual harassment, consider registering participants.
  • Verify high-risk licences. WHSQ warns of fraudulent high-risk work licences. Always verify HRW licence cards (and training records) against the official register before assigning high-risk tasks.
  • Audit plant and machinery safety. With WHSQ inspecting conveyors, lifting gear and warehouse equipment, review guarding and maintenance of fixed plant (conveyors, racking, cranes). Take advantage of advisory resources (e.g. WHSQ’s Injury Prevention program) to strengthen your controls.
  • Use industry safety tools. If you operate in hospitality, download SafeWork SA’s new pubs/bars safety self assessment tool. Likewise, review the innovations celebrated in Vic’s 2025 WorkSafe Awards and consider nominating your own projects.
  • Engage in consultations. SWA is consulting on earthmoving equipment safety (submissions due 2 Mar) as well as asbestos. Encourage your WHS team to submit practical feedback on these reviews, it’s a chance to influence future rules.

Key Updates This Week

National (Safe Work Australia)

25 Feb 2026 (SWA) – Asbestos Framework Review: consultation now open. Safe Work Australia has opened a national review of asbestos controls, inviting feedback on improving risk management and removal of asbestos containing materials. This affects any business that handles or manages asbestos (construction, demolition, maintenance, schools, etc.).

Action: Duty holders should review their asbestos registers and management plans, and consider submitting to the consultation before 26 April.

Victoria (WorkSafe Victoria)

27 Feb 2026 (WorkSafe Vic) – Victoria’s health and safety heroes honoured. WorkSafe Victoria presented its 2025 WorkSafe Awards to eight leaders in workplace safety. Winning entries included a manufacturer’s return to work program and an innovative mental health initiative. These awards showcase best practices in manual handling, psychosocial safety and rehabilitation.

Who it affects: All Victorian businesses can learn from the award entries.

Action: Review the highlighted initiatives (e.g. strong return to work systems, fatigue and mental health programs) and consider implementing similar improvements in your workplace.

New South Wales (SafeWork NSW)

2 Mar 2026 (SafeWork NSW) – “From risk to respect” – Free workshops to prevent sexual harassment. SafeWork NSW launched a new gender safety initiative, funding free sexual harassment prevention workshops for businesses statewide. This is part of a $1 million program to implement the NSW Gendered Violence Strategy.

Who it affects: Employers across all industries must prevent harassment as part of their duty.

Action: Update harassment policies and encourage staff to attend these WHS workshops to improve workplace culture.

2 Mar 2026 (SafeWork NSW) – Turf Club fined $200,000 after worker falls from roof. A Wollongong District Court sentenced the Illawarra Turf Club over a 2022 incident where a worker fell through an unsecured skylight and was seriously injured. The Club pleaded guilty to breaching the WHS Act (failing its s.19 (1) duty to ensure safety) under s.32. It was fined $200,000 and ordered to pay costs.

Who it affects: Any organisation conducting work at heights (sporting clubs, builders, maintenance crews).

Action: Re-examine work at height procedures (roof work, skylights, edge protection). Provide refresher training and enforce the use of fall arrest or guardrail systems to avoid similar breaches.

Queensland (Workplace Health & Safety Qld)

Feb 2026 (WHSQ) – High-risk work licences fraud alert. WHS Queensland warned employers about fraudulent high-risk work licence cards. Recent cases involved altered licence cards and fake training certificates. WHSQ has referred several matters to police under s.271 of the WHS Act, resulting in 11 charges.

Who it affects: Any employer or operator requiring workers to hold HRW licences (crane, rigging, fork-lift).

Action: Always verify HRW licence cards in person and against the official HRW register. Require new employees to upload digital transcripts of their training to ensure documents are unaltered.

Feb–Mar 2026 (WHSQ) – Transport and warehouse safety compliance campaign. WHSQ commenced a statewide inspection blitz (2 Feb–31 Mar) focused on fixed plant hazards in transport and warehousing. Inspectors will check risk controls for conveyors, racking, cranes and even refrigerant systems.

Who it affects: Logistics and warehouse operators, food storage facilities, transport businesses.

Action: Use this window to self audit fixed plant: confirm machine guarding on conveyors, inspect shelving/bracing of pallet racking, review crane inspection records, and refresh staff training. WHSQ’s campaign materials and advisory programs can help fine tune your safety systems.

Western Australia (WorkSafe WA)

23 Feb 2026 (WorkSafe WA) – Nominations open for 2026 WHS Excellence Awards. WorkSafe WA released its information booklet for the 2026 Work Health & Safety Excellence Awards. The awards recognise outstanding safety innovations across Western Australia, including in construction, mining, healthcare, and other sectors.

Who it affects: All WA businesses are eligible.

Action: Consider nominating your own WHS improvements (nominations close 29 May) or learning from past winners. This is an opportunity to showcase your safety solutions and inspire others.

South Australia (SafeWork SA)

1 Mar 2026 (SafeWork SA) – Raising the bar on safety (Hospitality campaign). SafeWork SA has launched a targeted campaign for pubs, clubs, bars and taverns, industries with high claim rates. A new online self assessment tool is available to help these businesses identify and fix common risks (body stressing, slips/trips, violence, equipment hazards, etc.).

Who it affects: Hospitality venue owners and managers.

Action: Use SafeWork SA’s self assessment tool to review key hazards (e.g. manual handling, patron aggression, housekeeping) and prepare for potential audits. Implement the recommended controls (e.g. proper storage, training in dealing with violence, maintenance of walkways) to “raise the bar” on safety.

Tasmania (WorkSafe TAS)

No new WorkSafe Tasmania alerts or releases were published in this period. WorkSafe Tas continues to monitor hazards (e.g. historical silica concerns in mining/roadworks), but no new media statements were issued this week.

Northern Territory (WorkSafe NT)

No updates were announced by NT WorkSafe between 25 Feb and 2 Mar 2026. The last NT prosecutions (e.g. for fuel fires) and alerts date from late 2025.

Australian Capital Territory (WorkSafe ACT)

WorkSafe ACT made no new announcements this week. The Industrial Court last reported WHS convictions in mid-2024, and no fresh cases or guidance were released in this period.

Standards Watch

AS 4774.1:2026 – Work in compressed air and hyperbaric facilities, Part 1: Tunnels, shafts and caissons. Published 27 Feb 2026, this new standard sets out safety requirements for workers in pressurised environments such as tunnel boring sites and compressed air caissons. It covers duties of constructors and supervisors, risk controls (communications, decompression procedures), and medical fitness for high pressure work.

Action: Industries involved in underground construction, mining shafts or any pressurised tunnel work should obtain and review AS 4774.1:2026 to ensure compliance with the updated compressed-air work safety rules.

No other WHS-specific Australian standards were newly published or opened for comment this week. (Watch for updates to AS/NZS occupational health standards or electrical safety standards in coming months.)

Sources: All updates are based on official regulator releases and decisions within the week of 25 Feb–2 Mar 2026. These include media releases and consultation notices from Safe Work Australia and state regulators. Official offence provisions and penalties are confirmed by those sources (e.g. NSW WHS Act s.19 (1) and s.32 in the Turf Club case). All readers should refer to the cited sources for full details.

Safe Work Australia (National)

WorkSafe Victoria (VIC)

SafeWork NSW (NSW)

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (QLD)

Standards (Standards Australia Store)

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
Georgina Mercer

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