> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.whsbrief.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Monthly Roundup — September 2026 - URL: https://www.whsbrief.com/monthly-roundup-september-2026/ - Published: 2026-10-01T00:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-01T00:43:21.000Z - Author: WHS Brief - Tags: roundup Work Health & Safety — Monthly Roundup # Monthly Roundup — September 2026 Everything published in the WHS Legislative Brief during September 2026, condensed into one read. Four weekly editions across nine Australian jurisdictions plus New Zealand, Standards and the courts — reduced to the changes that mattered. September 2026 — Weeks 37 to 40 9 AU jurisdictions + NZ, Standards & Courts ## Week 37 of 2026 ## Three to watch - **Victoria —** Myer and its warehouse robotics supplier GeekPlus have been charged after a worker was killed by an energised automated robot at Ravenhall, on guarding, isolation and supervision failures. - **Queensland —** The Electrical Safety Regulation 2026 commenced 1 September, replacing the expired 2013 regulation, and seven approved codes of practice were varied the same day. - **National —** Consultation on health and air monitoring for hazardous chemicals closes 21 September, three months before Workplace Exposure Limits replace Workplace Exposure Standards. NSW — Commenced 28 Aug 2026 ### [New Tunnels and shafts in construction Code of Practice takes effect](https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/%5F%5Fdata/assets/pdf%5Ffile/0018/1420812/tunnels-and-shafts-in-construction-code-of-practice.pdf?ref=whsbrief.com) Replaces the 2006 version and, under section 26A, is now the minimum standard rather than guidance. ACT — Effective 9 Sep 2026 ### [Aluminium welding fume exposure standard drops to 1 mg/m3](https://www.worksafe.act.gov.au/health-and-safety-portal/safety-alerts/reduction-in-workplace-exposure-standards-for-aluminium-welding-fumes?ref=whsbrief.com) A fivefold cut from 5 mg/m3 that dates any ventilation or respiratory protection assessment built on the old figure. NSW — Fined $800,000 ### [Container operator fined $800,000 after a reversing reach stacker killed a pedestrian](https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/news/safework-media-releases/company-fined-$800,000-after-workplace-fatality-due-to-mobile-plant-incident?ref=whsbrief.com) Found guilty after a defended hearing rather than pleading. ## Week 38 of 2026 ## Three to watch - **Western Australia —** The falls from height transitional period for construction ends 30 September, and the requirements apply in full from 1 October under a six-month education-first Statement of Regulatory Intent. - **National —** Three new air monitoring and diesel emissions guides are out ahead of Workplace Exposure Limits on 1 December, and the hazardous chemicals monitoring consultation closes 21 September. - **New South Wales —** A horticulture blitz in Coffs Harbour and the Riverina issued 50 notices across 60 businesses, including five prohibition notices, over plant, electrical and chemical risks. National — Charge filed — mention 27 Oct 2026 ### [John Holland charged again, over a 450kg distribution board that fell on an electrician](https://www.comcare.gov.au/about/news-events/news/john-holland-charged-over-metro-incident?ref=whsbrief.com) A second Comcare charge in a month, this time over a Sydney Metro tunnel wall at Rozelle. VIC — Fatal — 9 Sep 2026 ### [Worker killed at Truganina when a bridge crane he was servicing moved and toppled his scissor lift](https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/news?ref=whsbrief.com) Victoria's 32nd workplace death of the year, and a sharp isolation lesson. VIC — Assented 1 Sep 2026 ### [Workplace Protection Orders Act 2026 becomes law for retail and transport workers](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/bills/workplace-protection-orders-bill-2026?ref=whsbrief.com) Civil orders against repeat abusers, expected to start in 2027. ## Week 39 of 2026 ## Three to watch - **Western Australia —** Nine days remain on the falls from height transitional period for construction. From 1 October the requirements apply in full under a six-month education-first Statement of Regulatory Intent, not another extension. - **Queensland —** A Chinchilla heavy vehicle repair business was fined $550,000 and its sole director $100,000, with a conviction recorded, over a 16-year-old apprentice crushed under a truck body. - **National —** Comcare has published practical guidance on preventing and responding to work-related suicide, covering risk management, trauma-informed response and incident notification. NZ — Guidance released 17 Sep 2026 ### [First tranche of guidance lands for the 1 April 2027 HSWA changes](https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/about-us/news-and-media/new-guidance-released-for-upcoming-hswa-changes/?ref=whsbrief.com) Explains the small versus large PCBU test and what counts as a critical risk. VIC — First appearance 14 Sep 2026 ### [Crane company charged after a chain touched 22kV and arc-flashed four workers](https://www.energysafe.vic.gov.au/media-centre/news/crane-company-charged-after-powerline-contact-seriously-injures-worker?ref=whsbrief.com) Operating within two metres of a protected line is itself an offence. NSW — Fined $375,000 ### [Grain mill operator fined $375,000 and hit with an adverse publicity order](https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/news/safework-media-releases/company-fined-$375,000-after-worker-injured-while-using-grain-mill?ref=whsbrief.com) The Industrial Court of NSW added a publicity order on top of the fine. ## Week 40 of 2026 ## Three to watch - **Victoria —** WorkSafe inspectors will soon be able to issue on-the-spot fines for falls from height, an offence class the 59-offence infringement scheme does not cover today. No amounts or start date yet. - **National —** The 2026 Australian Worker Exposure Survey finds 68% of workers exposed to a physical or chemical hazard, with apprentices and trainees more exposed to heat, silica, lead and asbestos. - **New South Wales —** SafeWork NSW has launched a Psychosocial Advisory Service after psychosocial requests doubled to 20.5% of all requests, and its largest blitz issued more than 80 improvement notices. VIC — Passed Parliament 24 Sep 2026 ### [HSR rights and digital Provisional Improvement Notices bill passes both houses](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/bills/workplace-legislation-amendment-accident-compensation-and-other-matters-bill-2026?ref=whsbrief.com) Commences by 10 September 2027 at the latest. QLD — 14 charges laid ### [Fake high risk work licences are now police matters](https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/news-and-events/newsletters/esafe-newsletters/esafe-editions/esafe/september-2026/high-risk-work-licence-fraud-referrals?ref=whsbrief.com) Verify licences through the online check, not by looking at the card. Cth — Fined $140,000 ### [Commonwealth department fined over a Questacon plasma globe burns incident](https://www.comcare.gov.au/about/news-events/news/department-fined-over-questacon-burns-incident?ref=whsbrief.com) The sixth incident at the exhibit in five months. This roundup condenses a month of coverage into the headlines. For the full detail on any item — what it means and what to do about it — and for every change as it happens rather than once a month, subscribe to the full weekly brief at [whsbrief.com/brief](https://www.whsbrief.com/brief/).