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Fall from the Roof: $225,000 Fine Highlights Persistent Failures in Height Safety
The NSW District Court has fined Wrigley Metal Roofing Co Pty Ltd $225,000 after a worker fell almost 4 m from a roof at Avalon Beach in 22. The conviction under s32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) underscores the importance of implementing safe systems for roof work. The incident On 25 Jul 22, a roof worker engaged by Wrigley Metal Roofing Co Pty Ltd fell 3.8 m while re-sheeting and cladding a residential roof at Avalon Beach. A principal contractor had subcontr

Safety Jon
Nov 4, 20253 min read


Defensive tactics for WorkCover claim handling
Here is a concise, practical playbook for handling medical assessments and claim reopenings, so you can protect yourself, maintain momentum, and stay calm under pressure. Why this matters Insurers and agencies often change case handlers, reopen claims, or add requirements. A clean paper trail gives you legal protection, faster resolution, and mental clarity. What to document every time Who you spoke with, when, how, and why Exact requests made of you and any deadlines What y

Safety Jon
Nov 3, 20253 min read


When Controls Are Bypassed: JBS Australia Fined After Forklift Crushes Worker
On 14 Jul 22, a forklift reversed inside the chilled stack-down area of JBS Australia’s Yanco feedlot, striking a 57-year-old worker. The collision caused catastrophic crush injuries that led to the amputation of the worker’s left leg. This month, the company was convicted and fined $330,000 under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) after pleading guilty to failing to ensure the health and safety of its workers. What Went Wrong Investigators found that key engineering c

Safety Jon
Oct 31, 20252 min read


Illegal Storage at Wingfield: Lessons from the TRG Transport Fine
Inspectors from SafeWork SA discovered a dangerous situation at TRG Transport's Wingfield depot. Eleven freight containers packed with over 100,000 litres of dichloropropene and 13,000 litres of chloropicrin were onsite without a valid licence, emergency plan, or proper signage. On 10 October 2025, the South Australian Employment Tribunal handed down its decision, fining TRG Transport Pty Ltd $47,600 for breaches of sections 11 and 14 of the Dangerous Substances Act 1979 (SA

Safety Jon
Oct 30, 20252 min read


Two Fatal Lessons: When Fall Protection and Vehicle Separation Fail
31 Oct 25 Across two very different worksites last week, both the ground and gravity again proved unforgiving teachers. In one, a bridge worker fell almost four metres while stripping formwork. In another, a vehicle struck and killed a woman at a country showground. The common theme: control measures existed in theory, but not in verified, living practice. The Bridgeworks Case – $150 000 for a 3.85m Fall SafeWork NSW confirmed Bridgeworks (Aust) Pty Ltd was fined $150 000 af

Safety Jon
Oct 30, 20252 min read


Travelling for Work and Service: Staying Safe, Sane and Supported on the Road and in the Field
For some of us, travel is more than a work requirement. It is a way of life. Between site visits, training camps, and activities with organisations such as the Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) and Bush Search & Rescue (BSAR), I have clocked more kilometres than I care to count. Airports, roadhouses, gravel car parks and remote bivouacs all blur into one. While the variety keeps things intriguing, it also brings unique safety and well-being challenges that must be manage

Safety Jon
Oct 27, 20254 min read


Top 50 Safety Books (Just in case life was getting too exciting!)
NOTE ON LINKS All links below point to Australian retailers or publishers. They are not affiliate links. No commissions, no kickbacks....

Safety Jon
Sep 27, 20255 min read


My 50 "Safety" Movies
Being the safety nerd I am (but still cool), I've slapped together a list of movies I've watched throughout the years which I feel offer...

Safety Jon
Sep 25, 20253 min read


When the Regulator Stays Silent... The Real Cost of Inaction
When people think of a regulator, they picture a watchdog for safety. A body that steps in when systems fail, when workers are ignored, and when leaders forget that duty of care is not optional. That is how the law intends it to work. The reality is often much harder to watch. Across industries, government, and Defence, more professionals, managers, and injured workers are finding themselves shouting into the void. They report hazards, raise legitimate concerns, and cite t

Safety Jon
Sep 18, 20255 min read


Biological Hazards Gaining National Focus: Why Q Fever and Airborne Risks Are the New WHS Frontline
Blood, mud, and shit. That was the reality of my inspections in abattoirs. You’d walk through the gates and get hit by the metallic tang...

Safety Jon
Sep 17, 20255 min read


The Lennons Transport Case: When Speed Kills—and Compliance Fails
The Incident In January 2012, a B-double truck operated by Lennons Transport veered onto the wrong side of the Hume Highway near...

Safety Jon
Sep 2, 20254 min read


Electrical Safety Fortnight: A 14-Day Action Plan You Can Actually Finish
WorkSafe Queensland’s Electrical Safety Fortnight (1–14 September 2025) presents a prime opportunity—not just for Queensland, but for...

Safety Jon
Sep 1, 20252 min read


Hillcrest Tragedy and Renewed Calls for Inflatable Device Regulation
On 31 August 2025, public discussion in Tasmania resurfaced around the regulation of inflatable amusement devices, following continued...

Safety Jon
Aug 31, 20252 min read


Forklift Fatality in Fairfield: Another Reminder That Safety Rules Aren’t Optional
What Happened (The Facts, Because Humanity Already Has Enough Fiction) WorkSafe Victoria reported that on Sunday, 1 June 2025 , a...

Safety Jon
Aug 29, 20252 min read


Strategies for Conducting a Safety Induction That People Will Remember
The majority of safety inductions are like poor karaoke on PowerPoint. Everyone leaves knowing they’ll forget 90% of it before lunch, a...

Safety Jon
Aug 28, 20252 min read


Apprentice’s Fall Highlights Ongoing Risks for Young Workers
On 27 August 2025, WorkSafe Victoria reported that an HVAC company had been fined $85,000 after a first-year apprentice fell three...

Safety Jon
Aug 28, 20253 min read


When “Benign” Turns Critical: Safety in Retail Environments
Most retail managers think their most significant safety risks are slips, trips, falls, and the occasional abusive customer. And while...

Safety Jon
Aug 13, 20253 min read


5 Common Threads in Many Transport Facilities I’ve Inspected
After inspecting transport facilities across Australia and New Zealand — from container yards and freight depots to distribution centres...

Safety Jon
Aug 13, 20253 min read


Breathing Easy: Managing Respiratory Illnesses in the Workplace Through Policy, Leadership and Effective Communication
Respiratory illnesses — from colds and flu through to occupational asthma, silicosis, and even COVID-19 — are more than just a health...

Safety Jon
Aug 12, 20253 min read


When Loyalty Isn’t Enough: A PCBU’s Failure to Protect Its People
A recent OHS Alert case featured a sobering headline: a PCBU “showed little or no regard for loyal workers.” Though details remain behind...

Safety Jon
Aug 12, 20252 min read
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Straight-talking safety, risk, and leadership from the frontline.
Analysis of incidents, prosecutions, and the decisions that shape real safety outcomes.
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