Safety awareness -Safe work is for life
The incidents are real. The risks are real. So what are we doing about them?
With this month being National Safe Work Month, there is no better time to pause, look around and ask ourselves: Are our current hazards, risks and controls still working as they should?
Recent incidents across Australia provide a sobering reminder that serious workplace incidents can happen quickly and often involve everyday plant, equipment and work activities that may feel familiar.
A SNAPSHOT OF RECENT INCIDENTS
Industrial gate strikes worker – NSW
Two companies and a director were recently fined a combined $420,000 after a worker sustained serious injuries when an industrial gate overran its supports while being closed. The prosecution highlighted the importance of identifying risks, having effective controls and ensuring safe systems of work are implemented.
Scissor lift overturns – Victoria
On 9 September 2026, a 59-year-old worker died after a scissor lift toppled while he was undertaking maintenance on an overhead bridge crane. The incident highlights the critical importance of considering the interaction between elevated work platforms and other moving plant, including isolation and lock-out/tag-out controls.
Three workplace fatalities – WA
Within one week, three separate workplace death prosecutions were listed before WA courts, involving chemical exposure at a mine, a fall through a roof and a tree-pruning incident.
Different workplaces and different hazards—but the same fundamental message: effective hazard identification, risk management and controls matter.
Forklift fire – Brisbane
On 4 September 2026, five people were hospitalised after a forklift caught fire at a commercial site in Hemmant, with one person suffering life-threatening burns. The cause had not been determined at the time of reporting, but the incident reinforces the importance of plant inspections, maintenance and keeping equipment in safe working order.
The common thread?
These incidents involve different workplaces, different hazards and different circumstances.
But they all provide opportunities for us to stop, think and learn.
National Safe Work Month is a good opportunity to take a fresh look at what is happening in your workplace and ask:
- What could seriously hurt someone here?
- Have our hazards changed since we last reviewed them?
- Are our controls still effective—or have we become complacent?
- Do our workers understand the risks and know the controls?
- Are procedures actually being followed in practice?
- Have we consulted with the people doing the work?
- What near misses, observations or concerns have we overlooked?
- Is there anything we can fix or make safer today?
Safety isn’t just about having policies and procedures on paper. It is about making sure the risks are understood, controls are effective and safe practices are followed every day.
Access a five-minute safe work checklist here
If you need help reviewing workplace hazards, risks, controls or WHS procedures, reach out to NTHA Member WHS/HR Manager Vicki Stableford for guidance and support.
M: 0407 850 235
P: 1800 822 621
E: vicki.s@ntha.com.au