National Safe Work Month: A chance for leaders to recommit to safety and respect

In my work with the Our Watch Institute I have the privilege of hearing from employees and leaders about what safe workplaces mean to them. 

For many, across industries as diverse as construction, agriculture and mining, it means being on the lookout for risks and hazards, speaking up when you notice something unsafe and having your team’s back.

Examples like this show me that many workplaces already have strong practices and values when it comes to navigating physical risks. 

So what happens when we apply those same safety values to other types of risks?

What is National Safe Work month?

National Safe Work Month is a campaign run by Safe Work Australia. Held in October every year, it’s a great opportunity for workplaces to return to their responsibilities around occupational health and safety (OH&S) and keeping employees safe.

The theme for National Safe Work Month 2026 is 'Safe Work is for life'. This really resonates with me, because I see it as an invitation to go back to basics. We can use this month to look at what OH&S is about – workers being able to return home safe, both physically and psychologically, at the end of a day’s work.

Why does work health and safety matter?

While legislation may look different across jurisdictions, every employer has the responsibility to ensure that their workplaces are safe for employees, and there are significant consequences for non-compliance.

OH&S laws have been hard fought for and won by workers and workplaces across decades. In fact, Australia has some of the most comprehensive OH&S legislation in the world, especially when it comes to preventing psychosocial injuries like gender-based violence. 

But OH&S goes beyond compliance and has the potential to drive real change. Our understanding of what 'safety' looks like has expanded and become more holistic, especially as we understand more about psychosocial hazards. 

Common psychosocial hazards include:

• high job demand
• poor support
• lack of role clarity
• violence, aggression and harassment, including sexual and gender-based harassment.

By taking into account the various kinds of hazards we can encounter at work, and striving to prevent them, we are also building safer and healthier communities beyond our workplaces.

What can health and safety look like for different employees?

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to workplace safety. That’s why it’s vital for leaders to take an intersectional approach that considers the different ways employees can show up at work and the variety of needs they might have.

For example, many young workers may not understand their rights, especially if it is their first job. Similarly, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) workers may not be familiar with their protections at work. That’s why leaders have to ensure their health and safety policies are covered in onboarding processes, easily accessible and available in multiple languages.

Another example is the importance of having multiple reporting pathways for health and safety issues – including psychosocial hazards. We know that LGBTIQA+ workers, women and other marginalised groups are more often targets of workplace sexual harassment. Many do not report out of fear of not being believed, so there must be a variety of options available to employees, including methods that protect their privacy if they wish.

4 health and safety tips for leaders

1. Reframe health and safety in your role

The first step for leaders is to understand that health and safety is part of their remit – it doesn’t belong with another team, it isn’t someone else’s responsibility, it is integral to how you lead your business and keep your people safe. 

2. Consult regularly 

A great way for leaders to build their OH&S toolkit is to begin with consultation. How do employees feel about safety at work? How have their feelings changed over time? Making the effort to normalise workplace safety and regularly check-in with these questions will enhance your leadership skills. 

3. Understand the legislation 

Leaders also have a responsibility to keep up with OH&S legislation. Laws are constantly evolving in this space, so making sure you are up-to-date is vital. SafeWork Australia or your state's OH&S regulator is a great place to start. 

4. Learn from your wins 

Look at what your workplace is already doing well and see how you can apply those skills to other areas. For example, across the construction industry, there is the maxim 'if you see something, say something', empowering workers to speak up if they see a trip hazard or faulty piece of equipment. Embedding these attitudes has helped avoid countless injuries and incidents – and could be even more powerful if applied to psychosocial hazards like bullying or sexual harassment. 

How can employees take action during National Safe Work month?

The standard you walk past is the standard you accept, which is why this month is a great opportunity for employees to think about being an active bystander at work . Making it clear that you have your co-workers’ back, and they have yours, is a powerful way to build safer and more respectful cultures at work.

National Safe Work Month is also a chance for employees to seek out information about their rights at work. Whether that is reviewing your workplace’s policies, or looking at the Safe Work website, it is helpful to know what workplaces are required to do to keep you and your co-workers safe, and how you can support those efforts in your role.

How does workplace safety benefit workers, their families and their communities?

Everyone deserves to have access to a safe and healthy workplace. It’s good for individuals, teams, clients and customers – in short, it’s good for your bottom line.

But it goes beyond the worksite, the office, or the shop floor. When people feel safe, respected and valued at work, it can cause a ripple effect, and they take those values with them into their homes and communities. That’s how leaders can play their part in not only improving safety in their business or industry, but across the whole country.

The Our Watch Institute can support your business’ health and safety goals

At the Our Watch Institute, we offer a range of services that can help you build safer and more respectful workplaces.

Leadership training

This is an opportunity for the board, senior executives and managers to understand their responsibilities around compliance, Positive Duty and OH&S. It also goes beyond the legislation and focuses on how businesses can play their role in preventing gender-based violence (a common psychosocial hazard) and building safer communities.

Pulse checks

We can help your team identify gaps in your current approach to workplace safety, with a focus on building respectful cultures. We can do this through consultation, focus groups, surveys and more.

Active bystander training

Empowering employees to speak up when they see something wrong is a vital part of workplace safety. In this training, we can support all staff to build their confidence in reporting in a variety of ways.

Reach out today by emailing us or using the form at the bottom of the page to discuss your needs.