Apprentice safety is back in the spotlight. Is your business prepared?
A major review of New South Wales’ work health and safety scheme has highlighted ongoing safety risks facing apprentices and young workers.
It has led to calls for stronger protections, better supervision and a greater role for Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs), all of which industry employers should take note of, regardless of location.
What was found?
Convened by the NSW Government, the parliamentary inquiry found apprentices continue to be disproportionately exposed to workplace injuries, particularly in construction, manufacturing and other high-risk industries.
Key contributing factors identified include inexperience, inconsistent training, inadequate supervision and workplace cultures that discourage workers from raising safety concerns.
How can employers act?
The review has recommended a range of reforms, including stronger oversight of organisations employing apprentices, improvements to incident reporting and data sharing, additional support for HSRs and greater use of lived-experience content in safety training.
For employers, the findings provide an opportunity to review workplace safety practices and ensure apprentices receive appropriate support. Areas highlighted by the inquiry include induction processes, supervision arrangements, incident reporting procedures and mechanisms for raising safety concerns.
The review also encourages businesses to ensure supervisors understand their responsibilities, support worker participation in workplace safety and provide HSRs with timely access to training and relevant information.
While any legislative or regulatory changes remain under consideration, the review signals an increased focus on accountability, consultation and apprentice safety. Businesses that act early may be better placed to strengthen safety culture, reduce workplace incidents and prepare for future changes.
