NSW business owners: have you applied for your rebate to make your workplace safer?

In the wake of recent on-site falls and instances of non-compliant sites across Sydney, small business owners in NSW are reminded that they can apply for a government rebate of up to $1,000 to improve the safety of their workplaces.

A further $1 million was recently added to the Small Business Rebate Program, administered by SafeWork NSW, in a bid to help small business owners adopt a zero-tolerance approach to the risk of falls and injuries in the workplace.

The move comes amid continued safety concerns in workplaces across Sydney. Advanced Roofing Sydney Pty Ltd was recently fined $150,000 after a worker fell through an uncovered void while helping to replace roofing on a job site. While the company instilled appropriate safety measures after the incident, preventative measures will surely have resulted in a more positive outcome. In the meantime SafeWork NSW inspectors continue to crack down on non-compliance among businesses that install roof solar systems, with inspections taking place through to December this year.

Whatever your business, if your team works at heights, it is vital to minimise risk of falls and injuries in the workplace. The Small Business Rebate is available for companies with fewer than 50 employees, as well as sole traders. Equipment that can be purchased with the rebate includes:

• bottom fill equipment for fuel tanks
• extension poles/equipment for working at heights, such as poles, water jets
• harnesses and industrial ropes
• ladders such as fixed-access, step and full-length
• physical restraint barriers and guard rail systems
• portable scaffolding or fencing
• void or pit covers.

Visit the rebate site to find out more about the eligibility criteria and to apply. If you’d like to find out more about what equipment is best suited for your site and workplace needs, feel free to get in touch with us today.