South Australia: Safe Work Environments and Facilities
This June 2020 South Australian code commenced on 4 June 2020. Approved under s 274 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA), it covers work environments and facilities across workplaces subject to that Act. It is admissible in WHS proceedings, while another method may achieve an equivalent or higher safety standard.
Its scope includes safe access, workspaces, lighting, ventilation, temperature, drinking water, toilets, washing, meals, changing facilities, isolated work and emergency plans. Facilities must be maintained, not merely supplied. Decisions about their adequacy require consultation with affected workers and their health and safety representatives.
Applied to corrections, check whether amenities are accessible on every shift, whether contamination risks justify additional washing or changing facilities, and whether lighting and thermal conditions suit the tasks. These are practical applications, not findings about any particular prison.
Isolation can arise from the time or nature of work even where other people are nearby. Communication arrangements must work in emergencies; duress devices need an effective response. Emergency planning should address the hazards, evacuation, assistance, training and testing, coordinated with other duty holders.
Read the official PDF alongside current legislation and site arrangements.
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