SafeWork SA's first annual activity report reaches parliament

SafeWork South Australia’s (SafeWork SA) first annual activity report has been tabled in the state’s parliament following a recommendation from the SA Independent Commissioner Against Corruption’s (ICAC) evaluation last year. The report spotlights SafeWork SA’s 2018–19 operations and is designed to explore how the health and safety regulator exercised its statutory powers, the number of internal and external reviews it conducted and the outcomes of those reviews, in line with the recommendation.

SA Executive Director Martyn Campbell said SafeWork SA had “been through a period of significant change over the past 12 months” since ICAC released its findings, along with 39 recommendations for improving their practice. This includes the creation of a ‘Steering Committee’ to “progress projects associated with the recommendations as a priority”, Campbell said. As at June 2019, five recommendations — including the annual report — had been completed and one, partially completed, the report said.

Other completed projects include: the development and implementation of a strategic plan for achieving key business goals; creation of a central repository for all current policy documents; establishment of a gifts and benefits register, with updates to the relevant policy, procedure and form; and creation of an internal expert register for complex incidents, investigations and prosecutions.

Campbell said SafeWork SA will continue to build the organisation’s capability to meet industry and stakeholders’ expectations. “The services provided by SafeWork SA are key in building a culture of safety and compliance in South Australian workplaces. I look forward in 2019–20 to continuing the important work educating businesses and improving workplace safety,” he concluded.

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