Weekly WHS Round-Up  

Weekly WHS Update (8 - 14 December 2025)

Below is your comprehensive update on Australian WHS developments over the past week. This longer format is intended to provide more context, insight, and actionable takeaways. Use it for team briefings, board reports or safety committee reviews.

National/All

10 December 2025 – National – Jurisdictional WHS data update (Safe Work Australia)
– Safe Work Australia released its 2023–24 Jurisdictional Comparison data dashboard, providing up-to-date workers’ compensation and injury statistics by state.

Who it affects: WHS managers nationwide who track safety performance metrics.

Action: Review your jurisdiction’s latest injury and fatality rates and compare against national trends; use the data to identify areas for improvement in your safety programs safeworkaustralia.gov.au. Source: Safe Work Australia

12 December 2025 – National (Commonwealth) – Report on federal workers’ comp law (Comcare) – Comcare announced the completion of an independent review of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988. The review is one of the most comprehensive in the scheme’s history and recommends modernising the Commonwealth workers’ compensation system. 

Who it affects: Commonwealth agencies and national employers under Comcare’s scheme.

Action: Familiarise yourself with the review’s findings; anticipate legislative changes and start planning updates to your injury management and return to work processes comcare.gov.au. Source: Comcare

(Standards) – No specific new Australian Standards were published this week, but Standards Australia has opened consultation on several older WHS-related standards. This “Aged Standards Review” invites feedback by 26 January 2026 on whether certain longstanding standards (e.g. older PPE and safety signage standards) are still in use or should be withdrawn standards.org.au.

Who it affects: Safety professionals using legacy standards (e.g. AS/NZS 4801:2001 for OHS management, AS 1319:1994 safety signs, etc.).

Action: Check if your workplace relies on any outdated WHS standards and submit feedback if needed; also begin transitioning to newer standards (e.g. ISO 45001 for safety management) where applicable. Source: Standards Australia

New South Wales (NSW)

11 December 2025 – NSW – Company fined $90,000 for unsafe scaffolding (SafeWork NSW) – Allcott Hire Pty Ltd was convicted and fined $90,000 for supplying incomplete scaffolding that lacked toe boards, braces, and other required components. The defective scaffolding, hired out to a builder in 2022, exposed workers to falls over 2 m. 

Who it affects: Equipment hire firms and construction companies using scaffolding.

Action: Ensure any plant or scaffolding you supply or use is complete and compliant, verify guardrails, planks, braces, and toe boards are in place. If you’re hiring equipment, insist on certified safe gear; if you’re a supplier, conduct thorough inspections and maintenance to meet your WHS duty to supply safe plant safework.nsw.gov.au. Source: SafeWork NSW

(No other regulator updates were identified in NSW for this period.)

Victoria (VIC)

11 December 2025 – Victoria – Quarry fined $100,000 after worker loses arm (WorkSafe Victoria) – URGENT: The operator of a Timboon lime quarry was convicted and fined $100,000 after a worker’s arm was caught in unguarded machinery, resulting in an amputation. The investigation found the rotary dryer’s dangerous moving parts were accessible and there was no lock-out/tag-out procedure during maintenance.

Who it affects: Mining and manufacturing businesses with heavy machinery.

Action: Immediately audit your machinery guarding and maintenance practices – install or fix guards on all moving parts, implement strict lock-out/tag-out protocols for servicing equipment, and train workers on these procedures to prevent life-altering injuries worksafe.vic.gov.au. Source: WorkSafe Victoria

10 December 2025 – Victoria – Worker ordered to repay $114k after fraud (WorkSafe Victoria) – A truck driver was sentenced to 15 months’ community service and must repay $114,000 after being caught working while receiving workers’ compensation payments. The individual fraudulently claimed incapacity but continued paid work.

Who it affects: All employers and injured workers in Victoria’s workers’ comp scheme.

Action: Remind employees of their obligations during injury leave. Lying about work capacity is a serious offense. Managers should maintain contact with injured staff and report any suspected claim fraud. Ensure robust return to work plans are in place to encourage honest reporting of capacity and avoid similar prosecutions. Source: WorkSafe Victoria

9 December 2025 – Victoria – $100,000 fine after five-metre fall (WorkSafe Victoria) – Konstrukteur Pty Ltd (a property maintenance firm) was fined $100,000 following a 5.5-metre fall that left a contractor with catastrophic injuries. Workers were re-roofing a factory without harnesses or void covers; a laborer fell through an uncovered skylight opening and now requires 24/7 care. The company’s Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) was generic and not implemented, and no height safety training was given.

Who it affects: Construction and maintenance companies doing work at heights.

Action: Strengthen your fall prevention measures immediately – ensure site specific SWMS are in place and followed, provide fall protection (harnesses, guardrails, covers) for any void or roof work, and train all workers in height safety. Supervisors must enforce these controls at all times to prevent avoidable tragedies. Source: WorkSafe Victoria

8 December 2025 – Victoria – URGENT: Fatal mine machinery accident (WorkSafe Victoria) – URGENT: WorkSafe is investigating a worker fatality at the Fosterville gold mine after a 53-year-old underground miner became entangled in a cable bolting machine approximately 1.6 km below ground. This is Victoria’s 53rd workplace fatality of 2025 worksafe.vic.gov.au.

Who it affects: Mining companies and any workplaces with heavy plant.

Action: Review underground and heavy equipment safety immediately. Verify that all mobile plant is adequately guarded and that strict procedures (and possibly exclusion zones) are in place when workers operate or maintain machinery. Reinforce training on using isolation devices and never working on moving equipment. Given this tragedy, mine managers should pause operations if needed to re-check controls and prevent further loss of life. Source: WorkSafe Victoria

8 December 2025 – Victoria – Company pledges $929,500 for silica safety (WorkSafe Victoria) – Laing O’Rourke entered an enforceable undertaking of $929,500 to avoid prosecution after high-risk silica dust exposures on a Melbourne rail project worksafe.vic.gov.au. The principal contractor failed to identify grinding work as high-risk crystalline silica work, leading to airborne dust exceeding exposure limits. Under the undertaking, the company will fund major silica safety initiatives, including developing a Silica Control Tool in Victoria, new training for construction on respirable dust risks, industry awareness forums, multi-language resources, and a $50k donation to Lung Foundation Australia.

Who it affects: Construction and civil contractors nationwide, especially those working with concrete or silica containing materials.

Action: Take immediate steps to control silica dust. Confirm if any task qualifies as High Risk Crystalline Silica Work and, if so, prepare the required hazard control statement and strict dust controls (water suppression, extraction, PPE). Conduct exposure monitoring and ensure incidents (like dust-related injuries or burns) are reported to regulators as required. This case shows regulators expect proactive silica management; consider adopting tools and training similar to those Laing O’Rourke must implement worksafe.vic.gov.au. Source: WorkSafe Victoria

Queensland (QLD)

10 December 2025 – QLD – URGENT: Fatal concrete pump incident (Workplace Health & Safety QLD) – URGENT: A safety alert was issued after a young worker died on 1 Dec 2025 when a heavy concrete pump reducer pipe fell from a mobile boom worksafe.qld.gov.au. The alert (published 10 Dec) highlights the risk of falling components on concrete placing booms.

Who it affects: Concrete pumping contractors, construction companies, and anyone operating boom pumps.

Action: Inspect and secure all pump attachments immediately – ensure reducer pipes and hoses are properly restrained and regularly checked for wear. Implement exclusion zones under booms, and verify operators follow safe de-pressurisation and inspection procedures before disassembly. Supervisors should urgently brief pump crews on this fatal incident to prevent any recurrence. Source: WHSQ (WorkSafe QLD Alert)

13 December 2025 – QLD – URGENT (media): Young worker crushed under machinery – URGENT: A young man was killed at a rural Queensland property near Richmond after becoming trapped under heavy machinery. Paramedics and a rescue helicopter attended, but the worker died at the scene. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is investigating abc.net.au.

Who it affects: Agriculture, mining, and any industries using heavy mobile plant in remote areas.

Action: Reinforce machinery safety and lone work procedures. Conduct toolbox talks on never working under unsupported equipment, use safety props or stands when performing maintenance, and ensure robust communication or check-in systems for workers in isolated locations. Until the investigation concludes, assume any similar machinery could pose deadly risks and review your controls accordingly. Source: ABC News (media)

(No other regulator announcements in QLD during this week.)

Western Australia (WA)

08 December 2025 – WA – Public notice: WorkSafe office holiday closure (DMIRS) – WorkSafe WA (DMIRS) announced its Christmas/New Year office closure from 5:00pm Wed 24 Dec 2025 until Mon 5 Jan 2026. During this period, urgent WHS incident notifications can still be made via after-hours emergency contacts worksafe.wa.gov.au.

Who it affects: All WA businesses and safety professionals needing regulator assistance or to lodge incident reports over the holidays.

Action: Note the closure dates and plan accordingly. If you have any pending license renewals, notifications, or requests with WorkSafe WA, submit them by 24 Dec. Ensure that if a serious incident occurs during the break, you use the provided emergency contact channels worksafe.wa.gov.au. Also, remind site managers to maintain safety vigilance over the holiday period when regulatory oversight might be reduced. Source: WorkSafe WA (LGIRS)

(No new safety alerts or prosecutions were published by WorkSafe WA this week.)

South Australia (SA)

10 December 2025 – SA – UPDATED: Children’s sand recall expands (SafeWork SA) – The ACCC has added more products to the national recall of children’s coloured play sand kits due to possible asbestos contamination. Three additional sensory play sets have been recalled after testing indicated traces of asbestos in the sand safework.sa.gov.au.

Who it affects: Schools, childcare centres, retailers, and anyone in SA who purchased children’s sand art or play sand kits.

Action: Cease use of any recalled sand products immediately. Check the ACCC recall notices (initially issued 12–13 Nov) and this update for the specific kit names. Remove and secure any affected sand kits in your workplace so they cannot be used. Follow disposal guidance for asbestos contaminated materials and monitor SafeWork/ACCC channels for further updates safework.sa.gov.au. Communicate with staff and parents about the recall to ensure no one inadvertently continues using the dangerous products. Source: SafeWork SA

08 December 2025 – SA – “Hazard Hunters” winners celebrated (SafeWork SA) – SafeWork SA rewarded several workplaces for creative Safe Work Month activities. Winning entries included hazard spotting puzzles, safety quizzes, staff safety presentations, and a “safety wall” of positive WHS messages that engaged employees in October’s Safe Work Month safework.sa.gov.au.

Who it affects: All organisations looking to strengthen safety culture.

Action: Take inspiration from these ideas. Consider running internal safety competitions or interactive training (quizzes, hazard hunts) to keep workers mindful of risks. Recognising and rewarding employee involvement in safety (as SafeWork SA did) can boost participation. This week, safety managers should plan how to sustain that Safe Work Month energy year round, for example, integrate a “hazard hunt” game or a safety suggestion board into regular operations. Source: SafeWork SA

(No regulatory enforcement updates were issued by SafeWork SA this week beyond the above news.)

ReturnToWorkSA: No new updates found this week (last checked at 10:06 AM AEST on 15 Dec 2025).

Tasmania (TAS)

(No new updates were published by WorkSafe Tasmania during 8–15 Dec 2025. Last checked at 10:06 AM AEST on 15 Dec 2025.)

(Note: Employers in TAS should remain aware of national recalls (e.g. the coloured sand recall) and any interstate safety alerts relevant to their operations, even in the absence of local regulator news.)

Northern Territory (NT)

11 December 2025 – NT – Secure construction sites for school break (NT WorkSafe) – With school holidays about to begin, NT WorkSafe urges construction companies to lock down their sites to prevent children trespassing and getting hurt. Unattended worksites can be a magnet for curious kids worksafe.nt.gov.au. Builders are reminded to secure fencing and gates, isolate power, immobilise plant, remove or lock up any hazardous chemicals, cover excavations, restrict access to heights (ladders, scaffolds), and post emergency contact signage. The notice also warns to prepare sites for severe weather, as cyclone season has started.

Who it affects: All construction and demolition sites in Australia (especially near public areas or schools). 

Action: This week, do a “holiday safety sweep” of every site. Ensure perimeter fences are intact and locked after hours, store away portable ladders and tools, secure any partially built structures or loose materials (important both for deterring kids and withstanding storms) worksafe.nt.gov.au. Taking these steps will protect the public and your project while work is paused. Source: NT WorkSafe

09 December 2025 – NT – Safety alert: Check asbestos after storms (NT WorkSafe) – NT WorkSafe issued a safety alert to all commercial property owners/managers to inspect for asbestos damage after extreme weather events. Following recent severe weather (e.g. Cyclone “Fina”), there is concern that asbestos containing materials (ACMs) in building roofs, eaves, etc., could be damaged and spread hazardous debris worksafe.nt.gov.au. The alert advises checking your property’s asbestos register and examining any known ACM for cracks or breakage post-storm.

Who it affects: Territory businesses and landlords with older buildings containing asbestos (cement sheeting, tiles, etc.).

Action: Inspect your buildings now if they’ve been through high winds or heavy rain, if asbestos materials (roof sheets, siding, ceilings) show damage, engage a licensed asbestos professional for safe cleanup and repair. Ensure your asbestos register is up to date and accessible. Proactively schedule inspections after any cyclone or severe storm, and remind maintenance crews not to disturb debris until it’s assessed for asbestos. Source: NT WorkSafe

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

08 December 2025 – ACT – Multiple safety prosecutions conclude (WorkSafe ACT) – The ACT Industrial Magistrates Court handed down sentences in three separate WHS cases on this date. Notably, an engineering firm (PTC Consulting Engineers, trading as SDCC) was fined $750,000 for an unsafe shoring wall design that collapsed at a Phillip construction site. The 35-metre retaining wall failure in 2022 could have been catastrophic, the court noted it had potential to cause multiple fatalities and this is the first time an engineering designer in the ACT has been penalised for unsafe design.

Who it affects: Designers, engineers, and contractors in the ACT. (The other two cases in this combined update involved significant dust and asbestos safety breaches, underscoring hazards in those areas as well.)

Action: Review and reinforce your risk management in design and on site. If you are a designer or PCBU, ensure engineering plans adequately account for all loads and failure modes. Also double check your controls for silica dust and asbestos: WorkSafe ACT is clearly willing to prosecute poor risk controls in these domains. This week, company officers in the ACT should debrief these cases with project teams, emphasising that WHS obligations, whether in planning, construction, or hazardous material handling, are non-negotiable and enforced. Consider engaging an independent safety engineer to audit any complex temporary works designs (shoring, scaffolding, etc.) for safety margins. Source: WorkSafe ACT

(No other new ACT safety alerts were issued during this period. The ACT regulator’s update above highlights the serious consequences of WHS non-compliance.)

Please let us know if you have any questions or need further detail on any item. Stay safe and enjoy the holiday season!

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