News & Alerts
Current safety alerts and information relevant to schools 

🔗Australian AI SAFETY INSTITUTE to be established

The Federal Government is establishing an AI SAFETY INSTITUTE (AISI), scheduled to become operational early next year (2026), to provide trusted, expert capability to monitor, test and share information on emerging AI technologies, risks and harms. It will work directly with relevant Regulators towards ensuring Australians and Australian organisations can safely capture the benefits of AI.   

🔗RETURN TO WORK after injury or illness rates have declined

SafeWork Australia's 2025 NATIONAL RETURN TO WORK SURVEY results show return to work rates continue to decline, with return rates after psychological injuries significantly lower and at much higher cost than after physical injuries. Analyses of results show factors that influence more likely, faster and lower cost return to work.  

🔗eSafety has Updated the List of AGE-RESTRICTED SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

eSafety has advised Twitch that in accordance with Australia’s Social Media Minimum Age legislation it is considered an AGE-RESTRICTED SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM and is required to take reasonable steps to prevent under-16s from having accounts. eSafety's list of restricted platforms has been updated accordingly.   

🔗Research finds 4-fold risk of depression in low PSYCHOSOCIAL SAFETY CLIMATES

University of South Australia research has found that prolonged exposure to a POOR PSYCHOSOCIAL SAFETY CLIMATE is strongly associated with workers' development of depression and worsening depression. Findings included a 4-fold increase in the risk of developing depression across a 4-5 year period, and a 3-fold increase in the risk of developing additional new and serious depressive symptoms. The longer the exposure, the higher the likelihood and severity of workers' risk and symptoms of depression.    

🔗Product SAFETY RECALL: Educational COLOURED SAND - ASBESTOS concern

Progressive ACCC RECALLS for COLOURED SAND products used in eductional art, craft and sensory play activities triggered immediate safety responses from education, health and regulatory departments. Recalls to date (12-26 November) include: 

• Kadink Decorative Sand (10g 6-pack)

• Educational Colours Rainbow Sand (1.3kg), Creatistics Coloured Sand (1kg) and Kadink Sand (1.3kg)

• Active Sandtub 14 pce Sand Castle Building Set; Blue Magic Sand; Green Magic Sand; Pink Magic Sand

• Sax International Miki Sand Art Set

• Kidsplay Crafts various Coloured Sand and Sand Art Party Packs ​

These product contain low levels of Tremolite and/or Chrysotile asbestos. Air testing has found very low risk of respirable fibres, but strict precautionary actions are advised and have been taken around the country. See Status Summary

🔗ALERT: Review of EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS in Emergency Procedures urged

Following the recent Optus emergency communication system catastrophic failure, the National Safety Council of Australia (NSCA) is urging all workplaces to REASSESS THE COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES IN THEIR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLANS & PROCEDURES and include redundancy in critical communication systems, since in light of repeated recent telecommunications failures, relying solely on mobile phones for emergency contact may not be sufficient to obtain emergency assistance when and where needed. 

🔗VIC Dept of Ed charged after student's fingertips amputated in METAL GUILLOTINE

WorkSafe has charged the Department of Education after a 15-year-old student was injured during a secondary college Design & Technology class. He was USING A GUILLOTINE TO CUT SHEET META​L when his hand was crushed in a shear point between the machine and its table, severing several of his fingertips. It is alleged that there were causative failures in machine guarding, supervision, and work systems.  

🔗CASE: SA Education Department convicted for SWING FAILURE and STUDENT INJURY

SA's Department for Education has been convicted and fined $225,000 after A DISABLED STUDENT WAS FLUNG FROM A FAILED PLAYGROUND SWING and received serious head injuries. The swing's severly worn shackle bolt supporting the swing’s chains gave way. On inspection, the wear damage to the bolt and parts was readily identifiable. The playground equipment had not been comprehensively inspected since 2012, nor had load-bearing moving parts been checked as required by Australian Standards. The cause of the incident was identified and prosecuted as a failure at school system level

🔗New HEARING TEST requirements from 1 Jan 2026

From 1 January 2026, NSW schools with workers that are frequently required to use  hearing protection PPE (to protect them from hazardous noise) must provide them with AUDIOMETRIC HEARING TESTS within three months of their commencing work, and at least every two years following. 

🔗NEW MODEL CODE of Practice: Managing the Risk of FATIGUE at Work

SafeWork Australia has released a new model Code of Practice, MANAGING THE RISK OF FATIGUE at Work, providing practical guidance for employers to help prevent fatigue and its consequent impairments to workers' physical, mental and emotional functioning and wellbeing. The new Code complements the Code of Practice: Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work.