14/12/2021

Continuing to face the challenges of COVID-19, modernising processes, influencing at a national level, investing in the professional development of our people, and holding duty holders accountable for safety responsibilities are all key themes in SafeWork SA’s 2020-2021 Annual Activity Report.

The report provides an overview of SafeWork SA’s activities, operations and initiatives undertaken over the 2020-2021 financial year.  
Highlights include:

  • Almost 12,000 compliance and enforcement visits undertaken through the impacts of COVID-19
  • Customer service staff attended to more than 38,000 phone calls and 18,000 emails from the public, and licensing staff processed more than 40,000 licence applications.
  • 97% of safety and compliance related complaints or notifications were finalised within six months, exceeding our target of 85%.
  • As of 30 June 2021, a total of 27 of the 39 ICAC recommendations completed, with work on the remaining recommendations progressing as a priority.
  • Modernisation of the way we do business, including:
    • implementation of a cutting-edge telephone system
    • digitisation of numerous licensing application forms
    • acquisition of a Digital Evidence Management System, and
    • a trial of body worn cameras for inspectors.
  • Initiatives to support the whole-of-government response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure the wellbeing of our staff.
  • Activities that support work health and safety, including promoting initiatives such as:
    • National Safe Work Month and Asbestos Awareness Week
    • funding projects that improve the work health and safety of women and young people through the Augusta Zadow Awards
    • supporting work health and safety innovation through sponsorship of the Premier’s Awards for Energy and Mining and
    • investing in the work health and safety leaders of tomorrow through our Study Partnership with the University of Adelaide.
  • Contributing to the national agenda through our collaboration with Safe Work Australia and the Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities, as well as our work to combat industrial lung diseases such as asbestos and silicosis.
  • Influencing change by adjusting shop trading hours in line with community expectations and needs.
  • Publishing our disclosures, including conflicts of interest, gifts and benefits and internal reviews conducted, to demonstrate accountability and transparency.

SafeWork SA Executive Director Martyn Campbell said ‘despite South Australia largely avoiding the devastating impacts of COVID-19 experienced by other states, inspectors have tackled South Australian specific COVID-19 challenges head on, and devised strategies to continue their important work to keep workers and the public safe, while also adhering to SafeWork SA’s own COVID-19 restrictions and internal policies.

“We will continue to build an efficient organisation that engenders trust, and meets the expectations, of stakeholders, industry and the South Australian community into 2021-2022”, said Mr Campbell.

Read the full Annual Activity Report 2020-2021.