02/12/2020

SafeWork SA’s Annual Activity Report 2019-20 has been tabled in State Parliament on Tuesday, 1 December 2020.

The 2019-2020 report details a year of change. As with every business, SafeWork SA needed to adapt their workplace and functions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in order to continue with education and compliance activities.

While all non-essential site visits were postponed to minimise face-to-face interactions, SafeWork SA’s inspectors responded to matters involving serious incidents or fatalities in the usual way.

In a first for all Australian WHS Regulators, SafeWork SA was successful in securing a conviction against an individual for workplace bullying.

SafeWork SA finalised 93% of complaints and notifications within six months, an increase of 4% from last year, reflecting ongoing improvement across the organisation.

These ongoing improvements include completing 16 of the 39 recommendations from the ICAC Evaluation Report. One further recommendation that includes multiple components has also been partially completed.

Martyn Campbell, Executive Director SafeWork SA said, ‘This has been a complex process embedding change, new systems and process improvement’.

‘Our organisational structure was finalised and we have focussed on strengthening and improving the capability of our inspectorate. We now have continuity of our Executive team until 2023 which will help ensure this momentum continues and remains a key focus,’ said Mr Campbell.

Following two years of change, SafeWork SA moves into 2020-21 in a stronger position to help keep South Australian workplaces safe. Discussions continue with Safe Work Australia to ensure laws are current and create safe workplaces for all.

Significant work has also been undertaken to expand and improve SafeWork SA’s digital channels to ensure workers and employers can simply and quickly access the information and guidance material they need.

SafeWork SA’s Advisory Service continues to provide free advice in person or over the phone to help SA businesses comply with their health and safety obligations. The Advisory Service answered over 45,000 enquiries and processed 33,000 licence applications during the 2019-20 financial year.

View the full Annual Activity Report 2019-20