WorkSafe ACT

WorkSafe ACT WorkSafe ACT are the Work Health and Safety Regulator for ACT.

The and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency are currently running the National Asbestos Awareness Campaign. The campai...
03/06/2026

The and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency are currently running the National Asbestos Awareness Campaign. The campaign reminds DIYers, renovators and tradespeople that ‘Asbestos Can Kill’.



Asbestos containing materials are still present in many homes, sheds and fences built before 1990. Renovation and demolition work on or around these structures risks disturbing or damaging this material, putting tradespeople and occupants at risk of exposure.



The asbestos safety website provides essential information like

Householder and renovator asbestos safety guides

Asbestos disposal guides

Extreme weather effects on asbestos containing structures

Asbestos exposure register

https://www.asbestossafety.gov.au/

For more information on asbestos safety, visit the WorkSafe ACT website

https://www.worksafe.act.gov.au/health-and-safety-portal/safety-topics/dangerous-goods-and-hazardous-substances/asbestos



WorkSafe ACT is operating during the Reconciliation Day public holiday. We remind all persons conducting a business or ...
01/06/2026

WorkSafe ACT is operating during the Reconciliation Day public holiday.



We remind all persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) that notifiable incidents must still be reported—even on public holidays.



Notifiable incidents include:

the death of a person

a sexual assault (or suspected sexual assault)

a serious injury or illness of a person

a dangerous incident



WorkSafe ACT must be notified immediately after you become aware of the incident. If the notifiable incident involves more than one business or undertaking, each must notify WorkSafe ACT.



You can contact us on the following platforms:

Business hours: 13 22 81
After hours: 0419 120 028
Email: [email protected]

It is important that you complete the Notifiable Incident form within 48 hours of contacting us either by phone or email. You can find the Notifiable Incident form and the Sexual Assault Incident form on our website:

https://www.worksafe.act.gov.au/health-and-safety-portal/notify-worksafe



To download a copy of our Notifying WorkSafe ACT educational poster for your workplace, please click here:

https://www.worksafe.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/2235622/09062023-Notify-WorkSafe_final-Copy.pdf

Today marks the start of National Reconciliation Week. This week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared...
27/05/2026

Today marks the start of National Reconciliation Week. This week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to reaffirm our commitment to inclusion.



An inclusive and respectful workplace is one where every individual feels safe, valued, and empowered to contribute.



WorkSafe ACT encourages everyone to champion inclusivity in their workplace not just this week, but every day.



For more information on National Reconciliation Week:



https://www.reconciliation.org.au/our-work/national-reconciliation-week/



Around 4,000 Australians are diagnosed with asbestos‑related illnesses each year, with more than 75% of cases linked to ...
26/05/2026

Around 4,000 Australians are diagnosed with asbestos‑related illnesses each year, with more than 75% of cases linked to workplace exposure.



WorkSafe ACT is supporting the Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency’s National Asbestos Awareness Campaign, which aims to ensure Australians understand where and how asbestos exposure can occur.



Read the full safety alert here:



https://www.worksafe.act.gov.au/health-and-safety-portal/safety-alerts/asbestos-campaign





Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, duty holders must ensure plant, equipment and workplaces are maintained so th...
21/05/2026

Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, duty holders must ensure plant, equipment and workplaces are maintained so they remain safe. But in practice, that means more than fixing things when they break.

Planned and routine checks
Maintenance should be scheduled and consistent – with inspections, servicing and testing carried out at agreed intervals based on manufacturer advice, risk and frequency of use.

Fix issues early
Finding faults is only the first step. Repairs need to happen promptly to prevent incidents and further damage.

Keep clear records
Document maintenance activities so there’s a clear history of checks, servicing and corrective actions.

Use the right people
Maintenance must be done by competent and authorised workers, using the right tools and procedures.

https://legislation.act.gov.au/ni/2025-445/


Certain workplace incidents must be reported to WorkSafe ACT. There are called notifiable incidents. Notifiable inciden...
19/05/2026

Certain workplace incidents must be reported to WorkSafe ACT. There are called notifiable incidents.

Notifiable incidents include:
- the death of a person
- a serious injury or illness
- a dangerous incident
- sexual assault incident, including a suspected incident


What you must do:
If a notifiable incident occurs as a result of the conduct of a business or undertaking, the PCBU must notify WorkSafe ACT immediately after becoming aware of the incident, using the fastest means possible.

How to notify

Phone (preferred and fasted method)
13 22 81 during business hours, or 0419 120 028 after hours

(You may still be asked to submit a written notification after phoning an inspector)

Online notification:
https://www.portal.worksafe.act.gov.au/s/report-an-incident-overview

For more information on notifiable incidents see the link below:

https://www.worksafe.act.gov.au/health-and-safety-portal/notify-worksafe

As we head into the colder months of the year, WorkSafe ACT would like to remind PCBUs and workers that working in cold ...
11/05/2026

As we head into the colder months of the year, WorkSafe ACT would like to remind PCBUs and workers that working in cold temperatures can introduce hazards into the workplace.


PCBUs must manage the risks arising from hazards as far as reasonably practicable, including through measures such as:


Planning ahead:
- Reschedule work to warmer times
- Work indoors with heating if possible

- Monitor weather forecasts and plan for frost, ice and extreme conditions

Use controls:
- Isolate cold areas
- Use windbreaks or heaters

- Improve drainage to prevent ice forming on walkways and work surfaces


Protect your team:
- Provide thermal PPE (gloves, boots, layers)
- Ensure access to warm shelters and breaks
- Rotate tasks to limit exposure

For information on control measures for working in cold weather, see the webpages below:

https://www.worksafe.act.gov.au/health-and-safety-portal/safety-topics/safety-advice/working-in-extreme-hot-or-cold-temperatures/working-in-cold-weather


https://www.worksafe.act.gov.au/health-and-safety-portal/safety-topics/safety-advice/working-in-extreme-hot-or-cold-temperatures


https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/safety-topic/hazards/working-outside/working-cold

Temporary traffic management is required where construction work impacts public roads. Its purpose is to achieve the hig...
07/05/2026

Temporary traffic management is required where construction work impacts public roads. Its purpose is to achieve the highest practicable level of safety while minimising disruption for both road users and workers. It is a critical element of workplace safety and goes beyond simply placing signs or cones or relying on workers to take care around moving vehicles.

In practice, persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) must ensure traffic risks are identified and controlled so that workers and others:

-are separated from moving vehicles and mobile plant wherever reasonably practicable

- use clearly defined, well‑maintained pedestrian and vehicle routes

- are protected by appropriate controls such as barriers, signage, speed limits and traffic controllers

- receive suitable information, instruction and training to understand traffic arrangements and work safely around vehicles and plant.

Traffic management should be treated as a dynamic process, not a one‑off task. Traffic management plans must be regularly reviewed to ensure they remain effective, particularly when site conditions change, work activities evolve, or incidents and near misses occur.

Effective traffic management reduces the risk of collisions and injuries and helps ensure safer outcomes for workers and the public.

For more information see the links below:

https://www.worksafe.act.gov.au/health-and-safety-portal/safety-by-industry/building-and-construction/temporary-traffic-management

https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/general-guide-workplace-traffic-management

Manual tasks such as lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling or repetitive work are a leading cause of workplace injury. Eve...
05/05/2026

Manual tasks such as lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling or repetitive work are a leading cause of workplace injury. Even small things like posture, reaching, squatting and repetitive hand and finger movements can cause injuries.


Risk control doesn’t start with lifting technique, it starts with good work design. This may include:

-redesigning tasks,

- using mechanical aids like trolleys, access platforms, tailgate lifts, forklifts

- adjusting layouts

- or changing work processes to reduce physical strain.

Consulting with workers about how tasks are really performed helps identify practical methods for reducing risk.

For more information on hazardous manual tasks, see the links below.

https://legislation.act.gov.au/View/ni/2020-544/current/html/2020-544.html

https://www.worksafe.act.gov.au/health-and-safety-portal/safety-by-industry/building-and-construction/slips,-trips-and-falls

https://www.worksafe.act.gov.au/data/data-snapshots/data-snapshot-slips,-trips-and-falls

has published a new set of resources to help employers identify and manage the risks of gender-based violence in the c...
01/05/2026

has published a new set of resources to help employers identify and manage the risks of gender-based violence in the construction industry, including case studies, posters and infographics.

The new resources were developed in collaboration with construction industry stakeholders to ensure they reflect specific WHS challenges experienced by women in the construction industry.

They are designed to raise awareness of what gender-based violence can look like on construction sites, the impact of these harmful behaviors, and what employers must do to prevent gender-based violence.

Case study: Managing the risk of gender-based violence in construction - https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/case-study-managing-risk-gender-based-violence-construction

Case study: Managing the risk of psychosocial hazards in construction - https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/case-study-managing-risk-psychosocial-hazards-construction

Guidance: Workplace violence in construction – Hazards and control measures - https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/guidance-workplace-violence-construction-hazards-and-control-measures

Poster: What is gender-based violence? - https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/poster-what-gender-based-violence

Poster: Your rights as a worker - https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/poster-your-rights-worker

Poster: Employer responsibilities -https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/poster-employer-responsibilities

Poster: What to do as a bystander -
https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/poster-what-do-bystander

Poster: Keeping our worksite safe from gender-based violence - https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/poster-keeping-our-worksite-safe-gender-based-violence

Infographic: Why bad culture sticks around on site - https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/infographic-why-bad-culture-sticks-around-site

Infographic: If you let it slide, it will grow - https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/infographic-if-you-let-it-slide-it-will-grow

Infographic: Preventing gender-based violence starts with respect - https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/infographic-preventing-gender-based-violence-starts-respect

Address

3 Constitution Avenue
Canberra City, ACT
2901

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Saturday 9am - 4:30pm
Sunday 9am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+61466927213

Website

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