The Latest Breaking News from Safe Work Australia

Workplace depression is common. Managers can make it worse, or better

Australia has a mental health crisis. The Productivity Commission has found mental health issues cost Australia up to A$200 billion to $220 billion per year – one tenth of annual economic output.

The Conversation · Jul 2

Best Practices for Safety in Heavy Equipment Operations

Heavy equipment accidents account for a large share of serious injuries on construction sites across Australia each year. Cranes, excavators, loaders, and earthmoving machinery create real hazards when safety systems break down or get bypassed under schedule pressure. Safe Work Australia data shows plant-related incidents remain among the most preventable…

inkl · Apr 1

Changing jobs is a big move but it’s worth considering if your workplace is toxic

Returning to work after a summer break can be jarring, especially for the many workers dissatisfied with their jobs. Almost half report high levels of job-related stress.

The Conversation · Jan 27, 2025

Safe Work report recommends ban on engineered stone

Workplace health and safety ministers will determine later this year whether to ban engineered stone, after recommendations to do so by the watchdog.

AAP · Oct 26, 2023

Watchdog to report on 'safe' use of silica

More than 100 submissions on proposed ban on use of engineered stone containing silica.

Newcastle Herald · Jun 12, 2023

Deadly silica dust contaminates museum collection

Part of the National Museum of Australia's collection has been stored next to a concrete factory and contaminated with deadly silica dust.

The New Daily · May 26, 2023

A new code means employers need to protect workers' mental health. But will it work?

Experts say the code recognises that the workplace can impact our mental health, and employers could be held responsible for harms.

ABC News · Apr 20, 2023

Review underway as workers pay a deadly price for cheaper engineered-stone bench tops

Many engineered-stone benchtops could soon be taken off the market as governments push ahead with plans to review a ban.

The New Daily · Mar 3, 2023

Majority of customers still want engineered stone for kitchen bench tops despite deadly risk, manager says

As Safe Work Australia considers banning engineered stone due to the risk of people working with it developing silicosis, one leading kitchen shop manager says 60 per cent of customers still want it.

ABC News · Mar 2, 2023

Safe Work Australia asked to look at regulations needed to ban engineered stone over silicosis risk

Federal Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke says he and other ministers have asked Safe Work Australia to look into what would be needed to put in place a ban on the material.

ABC News · Feb 28, 2023