The law changes demanded as Sydney tunnel workers face death
Companies responsible for exposing tunnel workers to dangerous levels of deadly silica dust would face an extended window to be prosecuted under reforms demanded by unions, as a parliamentary inquiry hears concerns Australia is facing a 'full-blown occupational disease crisis'.
The NSW upper house inquiry into silica heard a failure of leadership on multibillion-dollar Sydney infrastructure projects was undermining worker safety, and one occupational safety expert said contracting companies had been prioritising cost over staff wellbeing.
Thousands of tunnelling workers on Sydney's mega-transport and motorway projects have been frequently exposed to deadly levels of silica dust, including 208 times the legal level. Fears of a latent public health crisis were compounded after previously confidential documents detailed how 13 staff on the M6 Stage 1 roadway had been diagnosed with silicosis, an incurable lung disease.
The revelations have intensified anger with the regulator, SafeWork NSW, for failing to hold contractors to account despite companies repeatedly breaching the legal limit for deadly dust on tunnelling sites.
A 2023 investigation by the Herald, The Age and 60 Minutes exposed serious health risks for tradespeople working with engineered stone, prompting bans on manufactured stone benchtops, panels and slabs containing at least 1 per cent silica.
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The Dust Disease inquiry hearing on Friday called representatives of the nation's largest contractors, John Holland and CPB, senior bureaucrats from SafeWork and Transport for NSW, the Australian Workers Union (AWU), and occupational hygienist Kate Cole.
While John Holland and CPB acknowledged errors had occurred in the past, both argued occupational protections for workers were sufficient, saying times when silica dust exceeded legal limits were caused by 'failures' or the 'absence' of safety controls.
But AWU assistant national secretary Chris Donovan said tens of thousands of documents to the parliament demonstrated these companies had repeatedly failed to protect workers from silica dust, including knowing protective face masks were an insufficient protection given they needed to be removed to communicate.
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The Advertiser
21-05-2025
- The Advertiser
Hospital cancels chemo treatment due to leaks SafeWork inspection failed to flag
The Calvary Mater was forced to cancel chemotherapy treatments this week due to internal flooding caused by severe leaks, which a SafeWork NSW inspection last month seemingly missed. The leaks have been a persistent problem for years and in the past four months have become so bad that leaking windows are being patched up with plastic garbage bags and drained into bins. During the heavy rain on Monday, the hospital had to cancel day treatments, including chemotherapy and other infusions, due to patient safety. One of the recovery ward bays is permanently closed due to the leaks, while the electrical panels near another must be regularly turned off. Staff have labelled the tearoom "the Mater waterfall", due to the four plastic bags hanging from walls to funnel water into buckets. But when SafeWork inspected the site on April 11, no concerns were raised regarding the leaks, the garbage bag patching or the dangerous aspergillus mould outbreak in the hospital's air-conditioning system. The watchdog was called to inspect the hospital regarding potential electrical issues. SafeWork says no concerns were raised during the inspection regarding mould and refused to answer any questions regarding other issues, including the leaks and electrical work. "SafeWork NSW enquiries are ongoing. No further comment can be made at this time," a spokesperson said. Following the Newcastle Herald's inquiries last week, SafeWork inspected the hospital's leaks on Monday. NSW Nurses and Midwives (NSWNMA) Calvary Mater branch secretary Camilla Smith said the situation was "appalling" and "a constant battle". "This is getting worse and worse, yet they continue to make us work in this dangerous environment," Ms Smith said. "You walk in thinking what's today going to look like, if it's safe to come to work and if your patients. That's the stuff on your mind every day." Despite the recent inspection, Ms Smith "didn't leave the meeting [with SafeWork] thinking things were going to change". "I'm sick of hearing there's no budget to fix this. That's not a reasonable answer," she said. It's not the first time the NSWNMA has raised concerns about SafeWork. Last year, the union slammed the effectiveness of the inspections in Auditor-General's review of the organisation. "The Association is observing inspectors attend health premises where there are clear breaches of the WHS legislation without issuing an Improvement or Prohibition Notice," the submission stated. In the past 12 months, SafeWork has received four complaints about the Mater, along with notification of two incidents. Inspectors have also previously visited the site in relation to a complaint about overcrowding in the emergency department. The Mater is managed under a public-private partnership by a consortium called Novacare, which is composed of four companies: Westpac Banking, Abigroup, Honeywell and Medirest. Novacare subcontracted its hard facilities management to Honeywell, who ignored the Herald's questions and has previously directed them to the state government. Hunter New England Health (HNEH), who provides in-patient and clinical services at the Mater, reiterated Novcare was responsible for the hospital's maintenance. "We remain focused on protecting the health and safety of our patients, staff, and visitors, and are working closely with both Novacare and Calvary Mater Newcastle to address the current facility management issues and ensure all required standards are met," a HNEH spokesperson said. The Calvary Mater was forced to cancel chemotherapy treatments this week due to internal flooding caused by severe leaks, which a SafeWork NSW inspection last month seemingly missed. The leaks have been a persistent problem for years and in the past four months have become so bad that leaking windows are being patched up with plastic garbage bags and drained into bins. During the heavy rain on Monday, the hospital had to cancel day treatments, including chemotherapy and other infusions, due to patient safety. One of the recovery ward bays is permanently closed due to the leaks, while the electrical panels near another must be regularly turned off. Staff have labelled the tearoom "the Mater waterfall", due to the four plastic bags hanging from walls to funnel water into buckets. But when SafeWork inspected the site on April 11, no concerns were raised regarding the leaks, the garbage bag patching or the dangerous aspergillus mould outbreak in the hospital's air-conditioning system. The watchdog was called to inspect the hospital regarding potential electrical issues. SafeWork says no concerns were raised during the inspection regarding mould and refused to answer any questions regarding other issues, including the leaks and electrical work. "SafeWork NSW enquiries are ongoing. No further comment can be made at this time," a spokesperson said. Following the Newcastle Herald's inquiries last week, SafeWork inspected the hospital's leaks on Monday. NSW Nurses and Midwives (NSWNMA) Calvary Mater branch secretary Camilla Smith said the situation was "appalling" and "a constant battle". "This is getting worse and worse, yet they continue to make us work in this dangerous environment," Ms Smith said. "You walk in thinking what's today going to look like, if it's safe to come to work and if your patients. That's the stuff on your mind every day." Despite the recent inspection, Ms Smith "didn't leave the meeting [with SafeWork] thinking things were going to change". "I'm sick of hearing there's no budget to fix this. That's not a reasonable answer," she said. It's not the first time the NSWNMA has raised concerns about SafeWork. Last year, the union slammed the effectiveness of the inspections in Auditor-General's review of the organisation. "The Association is observing inspectors attend health premises where there are clear breaches of the WHS legislation without issuing an Improvement or Prohibition Notice," the submission stated. In the past 12 months, SafeWork has received four complaints about the Mater, along with notification of two incidents. Inspectors have also previously visited the site in relation to a complaint about overcrowding in the emergency department. The Mater is managed under a public-private partnership by a consortium called Novacare, which is composed of four companies: Westpac Banking, Abigroup, Honeywell and Medirest. Novacare subcontracted its hard facilities management to Honeywell, who ignored the Herald's questions and has previously directed them to the state government. Hunter New England Health (HNEH), who provides in-patient and clinical services at the Mater, reiterated Novcare was responsible for the hospital's maintenance. "We remain focused on protecting the health and safety of our patients, staff, and visitors, and are working closely with both Novacare and Calvary Mater Newcastle to address the current facility management issues and ensure all required standards are met," a HNEH spokesperson said. The Calvary Mater was forced to cancel chemotherapy treatments this week due to internal flooding caused by severe leaks, which a SafeWork NSW inspection last month seemingly missed. The leaks have been a persistent problem for years and in the past four months have become so bad that leaking windows are being patched up with plastic garbage bags and drained into bins. During the heavy rain on Monday, the hospital had to cancel day treatments, including chemotherapy and other infusions, due to patient safety. One of the recovery ward bays is permanently closed due to the leaks, while the electrical panels near another must be regularly turned off. Staff have labelled the tearoom "the Mater waterfall", due to the four plastic bags hanging from walls to funnel water into buckets. But when SafeWork inspected the site on April 11, no concerns were raised regarding the leaks, the garbage bag patching or the dangerous aspergillus mould outbreak in the hospital's air-conditioning system. The watchdog was called to inspect the hospital regarding potential electrical issues. SafeWork says no concerns were raised during the inspection regarding mould and refused to answer any questions regarding other issues, including the leaks and electrical work. "SafeWork NSW enquiries are ongoing. No further comment can be made at this time," a spokesperson said. Following the Newcastle Herald's inquiries last week, SafeWork inspected the hospital's leaks on Monday. NSW Nurses and Midwives (NSWNMA) Calvary Mater branch secretary Camilla Smith said the situation was "appalling" and "a constant battle". "This is getting worse and worse, yet they continue to make us work in this dangerous environment," Ms Smith said. "You walk in thinking what's today going to look like, if it's safe to come to work and if your patients. That's the stuff on your mind every day." Despite the recent inspection, Ms Smith "didn't leave the meeting [with SafeWork] thinking things were going to change". "I'm sick of hearing there's no budget to fix this. That's not a reasonable answer," she said. It's not the first time the NSWNMA has raised concerns about SafeWork. Last year, the union slammed the effectiveness of the inspections in Auditor-General's review of the organisation. "The Association is observing inspectors attend health premises where there are clear breaches of the WHS legislation without issuing an Improvement or Prohibition Notice," the submission stated. In the past 12 months, SafeWork has received four complaints about the Mater, along with notification of two incidents. Inspectors have also previously visited the site in relation to a complaint about overcrowding in the emergency department. The Mater is managed under a public-private partnership by a consortium called Novacare, which is composed of four companies: Westpac Banking, Abigroup, Honeywell and Medirest. Novacare subcontracted its hard facilities management to Honeywell, who ignored the Herald's questions and has previously directed them to the state government. Hunter New England Health (HNEH), who provides in-patient and clinical services at the Mater, reiterated Novcare was responsible for the hospital's maintenance. "We remain focused on protecting the health and safety of our patients, staff, and visitors, and are working closely with both Novacare and Calvary Mater Newcastle to address the current facility management issues and ensure all required standards are met," a HNEH spokesperson said. The Calvary Mater was forced to cancel chemotherapy treatments this week due to internal flooding caused by severe leaks, which a SafeWork NSW inspection last month seemingly missed. The leaks have been a persistent problem for years and in the past four months have become so bad that leaking windows are being patched up with plastic garbage bags and drained into bins. During the heavy rain on Monday, the hospital had to cancel day treatments, including chemotherapy and other infusions, due to patient safety. One of the recovery ward bays is permanently closed due to the leaks, while the electrical panels near another must be regularly turned off. Staff have labelled the tearoom "the Mater waterfall", due to the four plastic bags hanging from walls to funnel water into buckets. But when SafeWork inspected the site on April 11, no concerns were raised regarding the leaks, the garbage bag patching or the dangerous aspergillus mould outbreak in the hospital's air-conditioning system. The watchdog was called to inspect the hospital regarding potential electrical issues. SafeWork says no concerns were raised during the inspection regarding mould and refused to answer any questions regarding other issues, including the leaks and electrical work. "SafeWork NSW enquiries are ongoing. No further comment can be made at this time," a spokesperson said. Following the Newcastle Herald's inquiries last week, SafeWork inspected the hospital's leaks on Monday. NSW Nurses and Midwives (NSWNMA) Calvary Mater branch secretary Camilla Smith said the situation was "appalling" and "a constant battle". "This is getting worse and worse, yet they continue to make us work in this dangerous environment," Ms Smith said. "You walk in thinking what's today going to look like, if it's safe to come to work and if your patients. That's the stuff on your mind every day." Despite the recent inspection, Ms Smith "didn't leave the meeting [with SafeWork] thinking things were going to change". "I'm sick of hearing there's no budget to fix this. That's not a reasonable answer," she said. It's not the first time the NSWNMA has raised concerns about SafeWork. Last year, the union slammed the effectiveness of the inspections in Auditor-General's review of the organisation. "The Association is observing inspectors attend health premises where there are clear breaches of the WHS legislation without issuing an Improvement or Prohibition Notice," the submission stated. In the past 12 months, SafeWork has received four complaints about the Mater, along with notification of two incidents. Inspectors have also previously visited the site in relation to a complaint about overcrowding in the emergency department. The Mater is managed under a public-private partnership by a consortium called Novacare, which is composed of four companies: Westpac Banking, Abigroup, Honeywell and Medirest. Novacare subcontracted its hard facilities management to Honeywell, who ignored the Herald's questions and has previously directed them to the state government. Hunter New England Health (HNEH), who provides in-patient and clinical services at the Mater, reiterated Novcare was responsible for the hospital's maintenance. "We remain focused on protecting the health and safety of our patients, staff, and visitors, and are working closely with both Novacare and Calvary Mater Newcastle to address the current facility management issues and ensure all required standards are met," a HNEH spokesperson said.
News.com.au
09-05-2025
- News.com.au
Labor unveils plans for sweeping reform to workers compensation scheme in NSW
Workplace health and safety laws are failing to prevent psychological injuries or treat sufferers quickly, the NSW government has claimed, following the release of plans for a sweeping overhaul of workers compensation. Formal consultation began in March following a commitment by the state government to modernise the state's workplace compensation system and ensure sustainability, with an Exposure Draft released on Friday. Industrial Relations Minister Sophie Cotsis said the Labor state government was committed to 'strengthening a culture of prevention, early intervention, and effective return to work through a series of reforms'. 'These include major reforms to SafeWork NSW, such as expanding the psychosocial inspectorate, and industrial relations reforms that establish a 'stop bullying' jurisdiction,' Ms Cotsis said on Friday. 'Additionally, we have amended the iCare Act to include a principal objective focused on promoting early and appropriate treatment and care for injury and illness. 'This aims to optimise recovery, support return to work and daily activities, and ensure a sustainable compensation system.' Customer Service Minister Jihad Dib said the current workers compensation system was designed to support people who suffer physical injury at work, but 'doesn't do enough to help people experiencing psychological injury to recover and return to work'. Under the current system, only 50 per cent of workers with a psychological injury are returning to work within a year. The state government claimed the system currently spends seven times more on keeping an injured worker away from the workplace that it does on does on 'getting them healthy and back on the job'. Insurance premiums are also tipped to rise by 36 per cent over the next three years. The NSW government will not adopt a final position on the proposed reform until after community feedback on the Exposure Draft, which it says is the 'starting point for the next phase of conversations and to highlight the scale of the challenges the scheme is facing'.
ABC News
08-05-2025
- ABC News
Illawarra Women's Trauma Recovery Centre improvement notices
ABC Illawarra: An article published on 11 October 2024 about the Illawarra Women's Trauma Recovery Centre required further clarification on some of the improvement notices issued by SafeWork NSW. The story has been updated to more clearly reflect the findings from the SafeWork improvement notices. The story was also updated to clarify the time frame in which staff left the centre.
