Year: 2026
Occupational violence is not a theoretical concern; it is a foreseeable and increasingly recognised workplace hazard that can have serious physical and psychological consequences. For employers, the obligation is clear: this risk must be actively managed in the same structured way as any other safety risk, rather than addressed through policies or awareness material alone. … Continued
Most organisations promote a clear and consistent message within their WHS Policy commitments, that workers have the right to stop work if they believe it is unsafe. This principle is well understood and readily applied when dealing with physical hazards, such as lifting excessive loads, working in extreme weather, or undertaking tasks without adequate training … Continued
Artificial Intelligence (AI) now appears in everyday tools: rostering systems, task-allocation platforms, monitoring software, robotics, and wearables. This is changing how work is planned, allocated, monitored and reviewed. For a Safety Manager, it may create an opportunity to spot risks earlier, support better decision making and make safety systems more responsive. It also creates new … Continued
Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld), officers have a clear and non-delegable duty to exercise due diligence to ensure their organisation complies with its WHS obligations (s.27 of the Act). While many officers actively engage in safety leadership activities, a critical gap often remains: failing to adequately record those actions. This is … Continued
ISO 9001:2026 Quality management systems — Requirements is expected to be published internationally in September 2026, with adoption in Australia anticipated soon after. A three-year transition period is likely, allowing organisations sufficient time to review and update their quality management systems before transitioning from ISO 9001:2015. Based on the current Final Draft International Standard (FDIS), … Continued
Boards and executive leaders routinely oversee a broad spectrum of organisational risks, from financial performance and cybersecurity to environmental, legal and reputational exposures. Often however, Work Health and Safety (WHS) risks are managed through separate compliance systems rather than as an integral component of enterprise risk management. Given that a serious injury (or worse) to … Continued