Work Health & Safety Ecosystem
Welcome to the Work Health & Safety (WHS) Ecosystem, your hub for work, health and safety connections in South Australia.
This page supports the tripartite collaboration between the workplace safety Regulator, SafeWork SA, unions representing workers and employer organisations representing the interests of business owners, employers and persons conducting a business undertaking (PCBUs).
The WHS Ecosystem also includes Entry Permit Holders, workplace Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) and Deputy HSRs, ReturnToWorkSA and WHS professionals.
An Entry Permit Holder is a union officer or official who may enter workplaces to:
- inquire into suspected contraventions of the WHS Act
- consult and advise workers.
Entry Permit Holders are commonly asked to enter workplaces by workers and HSRs who have encountered work health and safety hazards at work.
HSRs and Deputy HSRs are workers who are elected to represent their workgroup on health and safety issues in the workplace. The role of HSRs and Deputy HSRs includes investigating complaints, monitoring safety compliance, inquiring into risks, consulting with workers and PCBUs and, in some cases, directing unsafe work to stop and/or issuing Provisional Improvement Notices (PINs).
HSRs and Deputy HSRs often work closely with Entry Permit Holders to identify and resolve safety risks.
ReturnToWorkSA is the statutory authority with custodianship over South Australia’s workers compensation scheme, tasked with ensuring that workers and employers receive appropriate and timely services following workplace injury.
WHS professionals use technical expertise and research to play a crucial role in the delivery of positive workplace safety outcomes in South Australia.
WHS professionals are usually consultants and bodies external to a workplace, which are engaged by a workplace to provide paid services.
There is also a range of support services, networks, and systems available to South Australian workers and their families to help them navigate these challenging times.
All of these WHS associations play a crucial role in promoting safe and healthy workplaces. They provide resources, training, and support to help businesses comply with safety regulations and implement effective safety practices.
They also advocate for the wellbeing of workers by raising awareness about potential hazards and promoting best practices in occupational health and safety.
Click on the different sections of the graphic below for more information about each stakeholder group and contact details.
