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Victoria's 2027 WorkSafe Awards — nominations open

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +1000

Now in its 37th year, nominations have opened for Victoria’s annual WorkSafe Awards — spotlighting efforts to reduce workplace harm and improve outcomes for injured workers.

Celebrated through the awards are employers, workers and teams who have fostered a strong safety-first culture, developed creative health and safety solutions and supported injured workers in their return-to-work journey.

“Each year, the WorkSafe Awards recognise those who go above and beyond to protect the people in Victorian workplaces,” WorkSafe Victoria Chief Executive Officer Cathy Henderson said.

“Whether through new technology, updated systems and processes, or even a can-do attitude — if you've taken steps to improve health and safety or return-to-work outcomes, we want to hear from you.”

In 2027, the awards will have the following categories:

Excellence in Preventing and Managing Psychosocial Risk
Agriculture Safety Solution
Health and Safety Representative of the Year
Leading Return to Work Practice
OHS Leadership/Achievement
Worker Return to Work Achievement
Workplace Health and Safety Solution of the Year

With entrants able to nominate themselves or another person, nominations are open to all Victorian-based employers and workers until Tuesday, 30 June.

You can submit an entry here.

Winners will be announced at the WorkSafe Awards presentation and dinner on 25 February 2027. For information on recent winners in these awards, click here.

Image credit: iStock.com/porcorex. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.

$168K+ fine after worker falls attaching shade sail to 5.5 m pole

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +1000

An individual has been convicted and fined in the District Court of NSW over an incident in which a worker attaching a shade sail to a pole 5.5 metres in height sustained serious injuries in a fall.

The individual pleaded guilty to an offence pursuant to section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 relating to exposing a worker to a risk of death or serious injury, where the individual owed the worker a health and safety duty under section 19(1) of the Act.

“Falls from heights are a primary cause of traumatic injuries and fatalities in NSW workplaces,” SafeWork NSW Commissioner Janet Schorer said. “Preventing injuries caused by a fall is an area for action in SafeWork NSW’s regulatory priorities this year.

“SafeWork NSW reminds all businesses of their duty to ensure their workers are protected when working at heights.” The individual has the right to appeal against his sentence. You can read the full judgement against the defendant here, on the NSW Caselaw website.

Business owners and workers can access a range of resources to help manage the risks of working from heights here, on the SafeWork NSW website. Workers who have concerns about WHS can anonymously contact SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50 or through the Speak Up Save Lives website, SafeWork NSW advised.

Image credit: iStock.com/John Wallace. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.

Horizon scan — reports map WHS and workers compensation research landscape

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +1000

A suite of reports published by Safe Work Australia (SWA) identify areas of strength and opportunities in work health and safety and workers compensation research. Intended to support coordinated and impactful research for safe and healthy work, the SWA-commissioned project — delivered by the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia — mapped existing research across the five initial focus areas of SWA’s Research and Evaluation Strategy.

Where the evidence base is well established, where it is emerging and where there are opportunities to strengthen the evidence through future research is identified in the project, its findings presented in what SWA calls “a comprehensive suite of reports”. Included are an executive summary and technical overview, five focus area reports and methodology reports, to support broad use across industry, government and academia.

“The findings deepen understanding of WHS and workers compensation research in Australia,” SWA said. “They confirm significant research activity in psychosocial harm prevention and recovery, while identifying comparatively limited research on and evaluation of organisational and system‑level approaches. Despite rapid technological change reshaping work across many industries, the findings also show limited research on the WHS impacts of new and emerging technologies.

“These insights will guide future research priorities, partnership opportunities and policy development for Safe Work Australia and the broader WHS and workers compensation research community.”

For the project, more than 7000 Australian WHS and workers compensation research records were reviewed. You can read the suite of reports at www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/data-and-research/research/horizon-scan. SWA’s Research and Evaluation Strategy can be read at www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/research-and-evaluation-strategy.

Image credit: iStock.com/RyanJLane. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.

Manufacturer fined after 200 kg gate falls on mother and three children

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +1000

The sole director of a company that manufactured, supplied and installed a 200 kg sliding gate at a NSW property has been convicted and fined $50,000 after an incident on 2 September 2022 when it overran its supports and fell onto a woman and her three young children as they were walking along a road.

Convicted and fined in the Industrial Court of New South Wales, as a result of a prosecution by SafeWork NSW, the sole director pleaded guilty to an offence pursuant to section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 — for failing to comply with his duty under section 27(1) of the Act to exercise due diligence and ensure that the company complied with its health and safety duty under the Act.

“Duty holders must ensure that every structure they design, manufacture and install is safe and fit for purpose,” SafeWork NSW Commissioner Janet Schorer said. “This incident serves as a stark reminder that failing to meet safety obligations can have real and lasting consequences not just for duty holders, businesses and workers, but for communities and families.”

The sole director has the right to appeal against his sentence. You can read the full judgement against the defendant here, on the NSW Caselaw website.

In a related proceeding against another company, the court imposed a fine of $180,000, which was in relation to an offence arising from the same incident.

Workers who have concerns about workplace health and safety can anonymously contact SafeWork on 13 10 50 or through the Speak Up Save Lives website, SafeWork NSW advised.

Image credit: iStock.com/Prapat Aowsakorn. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.

$1.1m WHS penalty sets Commonwealth record

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +1000

National waste management company Cleanaway Operations Pty Ltd was sentenced on 28 May for two offences under the Commonwealth Work Health and Safety Act (WHS Act). The sentencing, which has seen the largest ever penalty imposed under federal WHS laws, was over an 18 August 2014 Adelaide truck crash that killed two motorists.

The company was fined the record $1.1 million over the crash that happened on Adelaide’s South-Eastern Freeway, with the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions filing charges in 2016. The incident occurred when a loaded Cleanaway vacuum truck collided with three cars at the Cross Road intersection, killing two motorists.

The driver of a third car involved in the collision suffered serious injuries including a fractured neck and back, while the truck driver had a leg amputated and suffered a broken neck. Comcare’s investigation found Cleanaway’s driver training was inadequate, exposing the driver and other road users to the risk of serious injury or death, Comcare CEO Colin Radford said.

“The company’s failures had devastating consequences,” Radford said. “This was the driver’s first week in the job, and he was only trained on relatively flat roads in a truck with an automatic transmission. On the day of the collision, he was driving a manual heavy vehicle for the first time and had to navigate the steep descents of the Adelaide Hills.

“This created a clear and significant risk of injury or death. The obvious safeguard was for Cleanaway to have enforced a system of work that ensured the driver was supervised until he was experienced in operating a manual heavy vehicle in these conditions.”

Comcare acknowledged the difficulties associated with the lengthy legal proceedings, Radford said, caused by multiple legal challenges, and the impact this had on the victims and their families.

“This penalty comes more than a decade after the incident,” Radford said. “We sincerely thank everyone involved for their patience and understanding — especially those injured and the loved ones of those lost.”

The two charges are Category 2 offences under the WHS Act, each carrying a maximum penalty of $1.5 million. As a licensed national employer in the Comcare scheme, Cleanaway Operations Pty Ltd is subject to regulation under Commonwealth WHS laws.

You can read the judgment here.

Image credit: iStock.com/sourabhj. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.

30th annual national Spinal Health Month gets underway

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +1000

June is national Spinal Health Month and to mark its 30th year the Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA) has released a clinical research study exploring the acceptability and feasibility of “adding an online, psychologically informed pain management program to the usual healthcare provided by chiropractic musculoskeletal clinicians”.

Funded by ACA and conducted out of CQUniversity in conjunction with Macquarie University’s MindSpot digital psychological care program, the study was conducted by chiropractor, clinician, academic, Senior Lecturer at CQUniversity and ACA member, Dr David McNaughton (PhD Psychology). It examined how the mind and body communicate when integrating therapies for psychology and physical health.

“The results are encouraging showing that in applying the biopsychosocial model focused on the relationship between spinal health, chronic pain and the psychological impact pain has on a person’s mental health, we can help mitigate the impact MSDs have on both physical and mental health,” McNaughton said.

ACA also marked the launch with the release of data from an independent national public survey by global research company Pureprofile, which found an increase in back pain, the mental health consequences for sufferers and how the cost-of-living is preventing patients from seeking medical treatment.

Among the work-related findings of the released data was that almost one third (28.5%) of peak working age Australians who suffer low back pain required time off work or were no longer able to work due to their back pain.

More information on Spinal Health Month is available here.

Image credit: iStock.com/Jacob Wackerhausen. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.

Safety of welding processes — have your say

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +1000

To better protect workers and others from welding‑related hazards, Safe Work Australia (SWA) is inviting consultation on potential options to strengthen how welding processes are regulated.

The aim of the potential changes is to clarify duties and obligations when welding is undertaken, supporting improved protection for welders and others in the workplace, SWA said.

A consultation paper that outlines the proposed regulatory and non-regulatory approach, the issues raised by stakeholders to date on the current framework, and the rationale for change has been published by SWA.

Safe Work Australia members will consider information gathered through the consultation process, which is open until 11:59 pm (AEST) on 12 July 2026.

To read the consultation paper and respond to the questions through SWA’s online survey, or by uploading a written submission, via SWA’s Consultation Hub.

Image credit: iStock.com/Toa55. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.

Electric shock fine increased six-fold on appeal

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +1000

After pleading guilty to a single charge of failing to provide a system of work that would reduce or eliminate the risk of electric shock, in October 2025 a civil construction company was fined $15,000 without conviction in the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court.

However, following an appeal, on 22 May the Melbourne County Court set aside the original sentence, convicting the company and ordering it to pay a $90,000 fine and $4064 in costs.

The incident occurred in March 2024 when the company’s workers were digging a bore shaft beneath overhead powerlines as part of construction works on a housing estate in Pakenham.

While measuring the depth of the shaft, the court heard that a worker lifted a seven-metre aluminium pole over his shoulder, either touching the lines or getting close enough to cause an arc flash.

The electric shock resulted in lost consciousness, significant burns requiring skin grafts to his feet, a toe amputation and removal of tendons. WorkSafe Victoria had previously provided guidance to the company on the risks associated with no-go zones and working around powerlines, the court heard.

It was reasonably practicable, the company admitted, to ensure workers adhered to a three-metre exclusion zone between overhead powerlines and any handheld objects.

“Before any work on a site with live powerlines it’s critical to identify hazards and eliminate or control all of the risks, including risks to workers using tools capable of conducting electricity,” WorkSafe Victoria Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin said.

“Electric shock can happen even if equipment doesn’t actually touch the powerlines — as electricity can arc to nearby vehicles, machinery, or even equipment such as poles or conductive tools.”

To avoid contact with powerlines, WorkSafe Victoria advised that employers and contractors using trucks and other mobile plant or conductive equipment should:

Identify all powerlines on site and at site entrance or exit points.
Comply with the No-Go-Zone rules and spotter requirements when operating mobile plant around powerlines.
Monitor weather conditions closely — powerlines can sag in extreme heat and sway in strong winds.
Be aware that powerlines are more difficult to see at dawn and dusk.
Designate travel paths, loading and unloading areas well away from powerlines.
Install warning signs or other visual indicators on each side of the powerline to warn operators and drivers.
Consider the type and height of heavy vehicles, plant, machinery and equipment and if it can safely operate near the powerlines.
Induct drivers and operators in the risks of powerlines onsite, and the controls in place to prevent hitting the powerlines.
If routinely working near powerlines consider engineering controls such as presence-sensing systems that can detect powerlines and interlock plant movements.
Consult with workers on safe systems of work for working near powerlines.

For more information, visit Energy Safe Victoria’s Look up and live webpage.

Image credit: iStock.com/Anjuman Sharma. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.

SmallTalk®: Clear Communication Without Compromising Respiratory Protection

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +1000

Respiratory protection is now a non‑negotiable part of Australian workplaces exposed to airborne hazards such as silica dust, asbestos fibres, chemicals, aerosols and biological contaminants. From construction and remediation to manufacturing, utilities and maintenance, half‑face and full‑face respirators — and increasingly powered air‑purifying respirators (PAPRs) — play a critical role in protecting worker health.

Yet one persistent issue remains largely underestimated: communication.

When workers are wearing respirators, especially in noisy or high‑risk environments, verbal communication becomes significantly impaired. Speech is muffled, volume is reduced, and vital cues such as lip movement and facial expression are lost. Over time, this communication barrier can directly impact productivity, safety and compliance.

When PPE Gets in the Way of Being Heard

Anyone who has worked on site wearing a respirator knows the frustration. Instructions need repeating, workers move closer than is safe, and voices are raised just to be understood. In team‑based tasks — such as confined space entry, hazardous material removal, process maintenance or fit‑out work — miscommunication can quickly escalate from inconvenience to risk.

More concerning is the behaviour that often follows. When workers struggle to be heard, they may briefly lift or loosen their respirator “just to talk.” Even momentary breaks in the respirator seal defeat the purpose of respiratory protection and expose workers to airborne contaminants. In silica, asbestos or chemical environments, that exposure can have serious long‑term health consequences.

For safety managers, communication issues also complicate supervision, training and emergency response. Clear, immediate verbal instruction is essential when stopping work, changing controls, isolating equipment or responding to unexpected site conditions.

Communication as a Safety Control

Effective communication should be treated as part of the PPE system — not as an optional extra. That is where the SmallTalk® communication device provides a practical and proven solution.

SmallTalk is specifically designed to integrate with Sundström respiratory protection, including:

SR100 half‑face respirators
SR200 full‑face respirators
SR500 and SR700 Powered Air‑Purifying Respirators (PAPR)

Rather than forcing communication to work around PPE, SmallTalk is engineered to work with it.

How SmallTalk Works

The SmallTalk system uses a compact in‑mask microphone mounted inside the respirator’s exhalation valve cover. By capturing speech at its source — before it is filtered or dampened by the mask and filters — voice clarity is significantly improved.

Speech is transmitted to an external battery‑powered amplified loudspeaker, which projects the wearer’s voice clearly to those nearby. This allows instructions, warnings and conversations to be heard naturally, without shouting or repetition.

Importantly, SmallTalk requires no permanent modification to the respirator and does not compromise protective performance when installed according to manufacturer instructions. Respirator fit and function remain paramount, and users are instructed to complete a fit or leakage test after installation or removal — an essential step in any hazardous atmosphere.

Designed for Real‑World Conditions

SmallTalk is designed for everyday industrial use. The speaker unit clips easily to a belt or pocket, keeping hands free and movement unrestricted. It is robust enough to handle dust, vibration and demanding worksite conditions, with volume control that allows users to adapt to changing noise environments.

For PAPR users operating the Sundström SR500 or SR700, SmallTalk offers a valuable communication upgrade. PAPRs already reduce breathing resistance and improve comfort over long shifts; adding clear voice amplification further enhances usability, especially in team‑based or customer‑facing work.

The SmallTalk is also available with a push-to-talk (PTT) function, allowing users to control when audio is transmitted and extend the battery life of the device. This is particularly useful in noisy environments or when communicating via radio or phone, ensuring clearer, more deliberate communication.

Another handy feature is its ability to connect to a mobile phone using a simple adaptor, readily available from mainstream retailers such as JB Hi‑Fi, allowing users to take calls without removing their respirator.

Benefits Beyond Safety

While the primary value of SmallTalk is safety, the operational benefits are immediate:

Reduced misunderstandings and rework
More efficient task coordination
Improved supervision and training on site
More professional client interaction

For organisations focused on safety culture, SmallTalk helps remove the tension between compliance and practicality. Workers can remain fully protected while communicating confidently, clearly and professionally.

Supporting Safer Work Practices

As awareness of respiratory hazards continues to grow, so does the expectation that employers will implement comprehensive, well‑designed controls. That includes not only selecting the right respirator, but also ensuring workers can operate safely and effectively while wearing it.

By addressing one of the most common failure points of respiratory PPE — poor communication — SmallTalk supports safer behaviour and reduces the temptation to compromise protection.

In environments where airborne hazards are present, there should be no trade‑off between protecting your lungs and being heard.

SmallTalk ensures you don’t have to choose.

For more information about SmallTalk compatibility with Sundström SR100, SR200, SR500 and SR700 systems, contact Safety Equipment Australia. www.sea.com.au

The hazard you didn't see: how AI is changing the way we identify and document risk

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +1000

At Melbourne’s Workplace Health and Safety Show, one message stood out clearly: organisations are under increasing pressure to identify hazards earlier, document them more accurately, and respond faster when risks emerge. That is why the launch of the HAZSCAN drew such strong interest.

Presented live by Riskware CEO George Pantazis, the new HAZSCAN capability within the Riskware app demonstrated a practical new approach to hazard identification and documentation. Rather than relying only on manual observation and written reporting, HAZSCAN shows how AI can help safety teams capture issues in the moment, improve the consistency of documentation, and support faster action.

For organisations working to strengthen workplace health and safety outcomes, this is more than a product update. It reflects a broader shift in how risk is being managed in the field.

A live demonstration of AI in action

At the show, attendees saw a live demonstration of HAZSCAN in the Riskware app, led by George Pantazis. The demonstration highlighted how the feature can help users identify hazards as they are observed and turn those observations into structured, usable risk information.

This matters because one of the biggest challenges in safety and risk management is not simply recognising that something is wrong. It is documenting that risk clearly enough, quickly enough, and consistently enough that the organisation can act with confidence.

In many environments, hazard reporting still depends heavily on the individual experience of the person on site, the time available to record what they have seen, and the quality of the follow-up information entered afterward. Important details can be missed. Descriptions can vary. Reporting quality can differ from one person or team to another.

HAZSCAN helps address that challenge by supporting a more immediate and structured way to document hazards.

Why this launch matters

The launch of HAZSCAN represents an important step forward in the use of AI for workplace safety.

AI is often discussed in broad and abstract terms, but its value becomes clearest when it helps solve a practical operational problem. In this case, the problem is familiar to every safety leader: hazards are not always identified early, and documentation is not always strong enough to support timely, informed action.

By improving how hazards are captured and recorded, organisations can strengthen the quality of their risk data from the very beginning of the process. Better source information leads to better triage, better investigations, better action planning, and stronger reporting.

This is where AI can make a meaningful difference. Not by replacing professional judgement, but by supporting the people responsible for making workplaces safer.

The benefits of HAZSCAN

The live demonstration highlighted several practical benefits of the new feature:

1. Faster hazard capture in the field

HAZSCAN supports teams in documenting hazards at the point of observation, reducing the delay between identifying an issue and recording it.

2. More consistent documentation

When hazard information is captured in a more structured way, organisations can improve consistency across sites, teams, and reporters.

3. Better quality risk information

Clearer hazard records improve the quality of downstream risk assessment, investigation, and corrective action processes.

4. Greater confidence in decision-making

When safety teams and leaders are working from stronger information, they can prioritise and respond with greater confidence.

5. A more practical use of AI in safety

HAZSCAN demonstrates AI applied in a way that is useful, immediate, and grounded in real workplace needs.

A broader shift in risk management

The launch also highlights a broader change taking place across risk and safety management.

For many years, organisations have focused heavily on reporting after an incident, reviewing controls after a problem has been identified, or manually compiling information after the fact. Today, there is growing demand for tools that help people recognise issues earlier and document them better at the source.

That shift is important. Early identification and clear documentation create the foundation for stronger prevention.

As AI capabilities continue to mature, the opportunity is not simply to automate administration. It is to improve the quality, timeliness, and usability of information that organisations depend on to protect people, operations, and reputation.

This is closely aligned with Riskware’s purpose: helping organisations protect their people, reputation, and bottom line by uniting safety and risk management in one powerful platform.

From interest to momentum

The response to HAZSCAN at Melbourne’s Workplace Health and Safety Show made one thing clear: there is strong appetite for practical innovation in workplace safety.

Attendees were not looking for novelty only. They were looking for tools that can help teams work more effectively, respond more quickly, and build a stronger foundation for risk-informed decisions.

HAZSCAN speaks directly to that need.

Its launch marks an exciting milestone for Riskware and an important signal for the industry. AI is changing the way organisations identify and document risk, and the most valuable innovations will be those that make safety work more actionable in the real world.

Final thought

The hazards that matter most are often the ones that are easy to overlook, under-describe, or delay documenting. Tools like HAZSCAN help close that gap.

By bringing AI into hazard identification in a practical and responsible way, Riskware is helping organisations improve how risk is recognised, recorded, and acted on.

That is not just a technology story. It is a workplace safety story.

Image credit: iStock.com/ZeynepKaya. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.

Lone worker solution drives on agentic workflows

Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +1000

Australian wireless technology company Zetifi has launched a Microsoft-native connected fleet technology solution for lone worker safety. Developed with insights from Telstra about the needs of enterprise customers, including Telstra’s own field services fleet, the solution — Zetifi Marshal — is for Microsoft-native workflows around lone worker duress alerts and automated check-ins.

The API-first solution is engineered to connect via cellular or Wi-Fi, integrate Icom UHF radios, and feed lone worker duress, check-ins and incidents from any source into the customer’s own Microsoft 365 tenant. Zetifi Marshal is now being deployed to beta customers around the country, including with integrations to Geotab telematics.

“We chose Geotab and Zetifi together because they fit the way we operate,” said Peter Braneley, General Manager of Big Springs Water. “Zetifi’s integration with Geotab means our safety alerts flow straight into the Microsoft tools our team already uses, and we can tailor what we see to suit our needs. That alignment is what made it the right choice.”

Regarding the solution, Zetifi said: “Telematics, cameras and lone worker apps generate constant streams of safety data, but that data lives in vendor portals, separated from the Microsoft systems the rest of the business runs on. Action still depends on someone watching a separate dashboard or basic email alerts and the value of the data too often stops at the vendor’s UI.

Image: Supplied

“Zetifi Marshal extends the value of fleet and worker data into the customer’s own Microsoft 365 tenant, where it can be used to drive automated and agentic workflows. Duress, check-ins, location and incident events flow into Teams cards, SharePoint records and Power Automate escalations, alongside the compliance, ops and safety processes already running there. The customer owns the data and the workflow, and safety events connect directly to the systems where action actually happens.”

The solution is designed to accept inputs from any source and to work with third-party platforms and devices. Regardless of where the event came from, the same policy and workflow apply and an acknowledgement loop confirms each event was actioned in workflow, not just delivered, Zetifi said, adding: “Manual triage collapses to seconds. Where workflows fail to respond, backup communications fire automatically.”

Dan Winson, founder and CEO of Zetifi, said that the solution means no safety event is silently dropped. “Marshal produces a continuous evidence trail (event, policy, action, acknowledgement, outcome) which means no manual chasing and being audit-ready for records from day one,” Winson added.

Top image: Supplied

Charges laid after worker fatally crushed by articulated front-end loader

Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:00 +1000

A recycling centre is facing charges after an articulated front-end loader reversed into a 26-year-old worker sorting recycled goods, causing fatal crush injuries. The incident occurred in July 2024, with the articulated front-end loader having been operated by a colleague of the struck worker.

For failing to provide and maintain, so far as reasonably practicable, a working environment that was safe and without risks to health, the company is facing six charges under section 21(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

It is alleged by WorkSafe Victoria that the company breached section 21(2)(a) of the OHS Act three times by failing to implement an appropriate traffic management system; failing to install a reversing camera on the plant; and failing to repair the plant’s reversing alarm, rear view mirror, or two cabin windows that obscured the operator’s view.

By failing to ensure the plant operator and the worker were adequately supervised, and failing to ensure the worker received appropriate information, instruction or training on the risks of working near powered mobile plant, it is also alleged the company thrice breached section 21(2)(e) of the OHS Act.

The matter is listed for a filing hearing on 10 June 2026 in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court.

Image credit: iStock.com/Baloncici. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.

$78K fine after temporary guardrail collapse saw worker fall three metres

Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:00 +1000

After an incident on 23 June 2023 in which a worker fell three metres from a partially installed staircase in the Adelaide CBD, a construction company has been fined $78,000.

The worker, an employee of a company contracted to tile walls, floors and stairs at the work site, fell after leaning on a temporary guardrail on a partly installed external staircase. It collapsed, resulted in the fall onto a canopy frame above the ground floor.

As a result of the fall, the worker sustained fractures to sternum, ankle, vertebrae and several lacerations.

Installed at the top of the external staircase had been live edge protection (LEP) in the form of a temporary timber beam and orange plastic mesh. The beam had been secured with two metal screws attaching it to a vertical metal column at one end and wedged against a precast concrete wall at the other end where it was held in place by friction alone, SafeWork SA said. The LEP failed to support the weight of the worker.

For failing to provide safe system of work, the company was charged with a category 2 offence under section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012. Sentenced this month in the South Australian Employment Court — the result of a SafeWork SA prosecution — the company pleaded guilty.

“The presence of the timber guardrail gave the impression of being secure and being able to be relied upon,” Deputy President Judge Calligeros said in sentencing remarks. “It gave a false impression that it was reliable and able to be leant on safely.

“While the LEP was a short-term safety measure, it is not surprising that a timber guardrail screwed securely at one end but simply wedged into a concrete wall at the other end, came loose and fell when weight was applied to it.”

A conviction was recorded and the company fined $130,000, which was reduced by 40% to $78,000 for its early guilty plea and previous good safety record. The company was also ordered to pay a contribution to SafeWork SA’s legal costs of $1210, and a Victim of Crime Levy of $424.

“Falls from height still remains one of the most significant causes of serious injury, and this incident demonstrates how quickly things can go wrong when controls are not properly implemented,” SafeWork SA Executive Director Glenn Farrell said.

“If a guardrail is installed, workers must be able to rely on it to take a specified load. Anything less creates a false sense of security and places people at serious risk,” Farrell added. “Duty holders must ensure fall prevention systems go beyond just looking to be effective, they must be properly designed, installed and maintained. Cutting corners on safety can have devastating consequences.”

Image credit: iStock.com/nuttapong. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.

The shift toward polymer-based engineering in Australian industrial safety

Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:00 +1000

Corrosion starts eating infrastructure long before damage appears on the surface. A cabinet door still opens. A mounting frame still holds. A junction box still looks stable during inspection rounds, while months of chemical exposure, moisture, heat and salt air continue weakening the structure underneath.

Australian industrial sites are now rethinking the materials used across safety infrastructure because older assumptions no longer match modern operating pressure. Facilities handling chemicals, wastewater, mining operations, food production, transport systems, renewable energy equipment and electrical infrastructure face conditions that punish traditional materials daily. Polymer-based engineering has moved into that gap because it responds differently to corrosion, electrical exposure, washdowns and environmental stress.

This shift is changing how industrial safety gets planned across Australia. Material selection now affects maintenance schedules, fire-exposure planning, electrical separation, operational continuity and worker protection at the same time.

Australian sites now design around corrosion exposure

Australian industrial environments place constant pressure on exposed infrastructure. Coastal regions carry salt-heavy air that accelerates oxidation. Processing plants expose surfaces to chemical splash and vapour residue. Outdoor installations absorb prolonged UV exposure. Washdown routines trap moisture around seams, hinges and mounting points.

That combination creates long-term structural deterioration, even inside equipment that still appears functional.

Safe Work Australia states that hazardous chemicals can create corrosion, fire, explosion and health risks across workplaces handling chemical substances.¹ Those conditions directly affect the lifespan and reliability of industrial infrastructure.

This is one reason many facilities have started moving away from relying entirely on painted or coated metal systems in corrosive environments.

The issue extends far beyond appearance.

Corrosion can affect:

Door alignment
Emergency equipment access
Electrical separation
Structural stability
Locking systems
Mounting integrity
Inspection access

Small failures often stack slowly across months until maintenance teams face a much larger operational problem.

Polymer-based engineering changes how facilities approach material failure

Traditional metal systems usually depend on external coatings for protection. Once coatings crack, chip or degrade, moisture and chemicals begin reaching the material underneath.

Polymer-based systems operate differently because corrosion resistance exists throughout the material itself rather than only on the outer surface.

That difference matters heavily in environments exposed to:

Chemical handling
Wastewater processing
Coastal humidity
Food manufacturing washdowns
Fertiliser storage
Mining operations
Heavy outdoor exposure

Facilities are now evaluating infrastructure based on operational lifespan instead of focusing only on upfront purchase cost. Repeated replacement cycles create downtime, labour pressure, inspection demands and operational delays that continue for years after installation.

Many industrial planners now view long-term material reliability as a workplace safety issue instead of treating it strictly as a maintenance issue.

Electrical infrastructure is driving faster material changes

Australia’s industrial sector is rapidly expanding electrical infrastructure across transport systems, renewable energy projects, battery storage facilities and automated production environments.

That expansion has increased attention around conductive materials in high-exposure environments.

Metal conducts electricity. Certain polymer-based materials provide non-conductive properties that support electrical separation in areas exposed to moisture or chemical residue. That characteristic has pushed polymer engineering further into industrial electrical planning.

Comcare identifies fire, chemical reaction and corrosion exposure among major workplace chemical concerns.² When electrical systems operate inside those conditions, infrastructure planning becomes far more demanding.

Facilities now examine several factors together during material selection, including:

Electrical insulation properties
Chemical exposure resistance
UV stability
Moisture absorption
Structural performance
Maintenance frequency

That wider evaluation process is reshaping procurement decisions across Australian industrial projects.

Australian weather punishes weak material decisions fast

Australian environmental conditions create pressure that many imported infrastructure designs fail to anticipate properly.

UV exposure alone can weaken poorly selected materials over time. Remote industrial regions create additional strain because replacement work may involve transport delays, labour shortages, shutdown planning and extended operational disruption.

Coastal exposure creates another layer of pressure.

Salt air speeds up oxidation across exposed metal infrastructure. Once corrosion reaches internal hardware, deterioration often spreads faster around joints, hinges, mounting sections and fasteners.

This has forced many operators to rethink the old habit of selecting infrastructure based mainly on initial cost.

A cheaper installation can become far more expensive after years of corrosion management, repeated inspections, shutdown coordination and replacement work.

That operational reality is one reason polymer-based engineering continues gaining attention across Australian industrial safety planning.

Fire exposure is reshaping industrial material planning

Industrial facilities handling chemicals, fuel systems, combustible dust and electrical equipment now face tighter scrutiny around fire exposure and containment planning.

Material behaviour during extreme heat events has become a larger part of infrastructure discussions.

This includes examining:

Flame spread characteristics
Smoke generation
Structural stability during heat exposure
Chemical interaction during fire events
Long-term environmental degradation

Engineers are now evaluating infrastructure through connected operational categories. Fire exposure, chemical resistance, moisture protection and electrical safety influence each other during planning decisions.

That broader approach has shifted attention towards advanced polymer formulations developed for demanding industrial environments.

The discussion has become much more detailed across Australian industrial sectors during the past decade because material failure now carries operational consequences far beyond replacement expense alone.

Maintenance teams are influencing infrastructure decisions earlier

Many maintenance departments have spent years dealing with preventable material deterioration inside aggressive industrial environments.

Corroded frames create alignment issues. Seized hinges slow equipment access. Damaged enclosures complicate inspections. Moisture intrusion affects electrical reliability. Surface degradation increases cleaning demands, while maintenance workloads continue increasing across aging infrastructure.

Those problems consume labour hours continuously.

As a result, maintenance teams are now participating earlier during infrastructure planning and procurement discussions.

That has changed the questions facilities ask before installation begins.

**************************************************

Key questions

Instead of focusing only on upfront pricing, planners increasingly ask:

How will this perform after repeated washdowns?
What happens after prolonged UV exposure?
Can chemicals penetrate vulnerable sections?
How often will inspection work increase?
What maintenance pressure develops after five years?
How difficult will replacement become in remote locations?

Those questions often reshape procurement outcomes completely.

**************************************************

Industrial safety planning has shifted towards failure prevention

Australian industry has gradually moved from reactive infrastructure management towards earlier failure prevention.

That shift affects how facilities approach material selection from the beginning of project planning.

Infrastructure decisions now connect directly with:

Worker exposure reduction
Fire containment planning
Electrical separation
Chemical handling systems
Operational continuity
Inspection access
Maintenance scheduling

Safe Work Australia continues emphasising chemical risk control through stronger workplace systems, monitoring practices and infrastructure management.³ Material selection now sits inside that wider discussion instead of existing as a separate purchasing decision.

This is one reason polymer-based engineering has expanded across sectors facing aggressive environmental conditions and rising operational pressure.

Facilities are now asking what condition infrastructure will remain in after years of chemical exposure, washdowns, UV exposure, moisture, electrical pressure and operational strain.

That question is changing industrial safety planning across Australia.

Final word

Australian industrial infrastructure is entering a major material transition driven by corrosion exposure, electrical expansion, environmental pressure and tighter operational expectations. Polymer-based engineering has gained momentum because facilities now expect infrastructure to withstand aggressive conditions without creating constant maintenance pressure or increasing operational risk.

This shift reflects a larger change across industrial safety planning. Facilities are placing greater focus on preventing infrastructure failure before exposure develops instead of reacting after deterioration spreads through critical systems. In environments shaped by chemicals, moisture, heat, salt air and electrical exposure, material selection now influences operational stability every single day.

^{1. Safe Work Australia. Hazardous chemicals. Accessed May 11, 2026. https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/safety-topic/hazards/chemicals}

^{2. Comcare. Chemical hazards. Accessed May 11, 2026. https://www.comcare.gov.au/safe-healthy-work/prevent-harm/chemical-hazards}

^{3. Safe Work Australia. Model Code of Practice for Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace. Accessed May 11, 2026. https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/model-code-practice-managing-risks-hazardous-chemicals-workplace}

Image credit: iStock.com/Smederevac. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.

Calls for renewed focus as National Road Safety Week gets underway

Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 +1000

With National Road Safety Week (17–24 May) now underway, Transport Australia, Safer Australian Roads and Highways Group (SARAH Group), and the Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS) have called for renewed national focus on practical, proven measures such as safer speeds, better infrastructure and safer vehicles.

The call comes as preliminary April data shows road deaths were 20% above the five-year monthly average as 121 people were killed on Australian roads, with a longer-term trend of road death increases over the past five years suggesting that Australia is significantly off track to meet the National Road Safety Strategy target of halving fatalities by 2030.

SARAH Group President Peter Frazer OAM said too many roads did not meet the required minimum level of safety, which means three stars or better under the Australian Road Assessment Program. “Each additional star halves the risk of a fatal or serious injury crash occurring on that road, so improving a road from one or two stars up to three stars or better will save lives. Everyone has a right to get home safe, every day, without exception. When a road is high-risk, there are two proven ways to improve safety,” Frazer said.

“Firstly, invest in upgrading the infrastructure. That means more than just repairing potholes. It requires real safety improvements, starting with laying rumble strips and removing roadside hazards, then moving to more significant safety measures such as installing barriers, widening shoulders, smoothing hazardous corners, and providing lane separation to prevent head-on collisions. Each of these measures is highly effective but requires increased funding and long-term planning,” Frazer added.

“However, there is a second approach that is both fast and low-cost. We know that crashes at speeds above 80 km/h are often fatal and yet default speed limits are often set at 100 km/h… far too high for the road’s design. So, if a road lacks those highly effective safety features, especially our regional and remote roads, simply lowering the speed limit will immediately improve its safety star rating, and in doing so, reduce the risk of serious injuries and, most importantly, save lives.”

ACRS CEO Dr Ingrid Johnston said road trauma costs the Australian economy more than $40 billion a year. “The costs fall on business, the health system, communities and the families and loved ones impacted. Road crashes also negatively impact travel time reliability and congestion levels across the country. With almost 1 million km of road in Australia, we need to invest in both the high-return infrastructure upgrades and the speed limit reductions to reduce the number of people being killed and seriously injured.” Johnston said. “It will be win-win for all.”

More information on National Road Safety Week is available at roadsafetyweek.com.au.

Image credit: iStock.com/WHPics. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.

Why women's PPE is critical to workplace safety and readiness

Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 +1000

Under Australia’s model Work Health and Safety Regulations, this is not a grey area.¹ Regulation 44 requires that a person conducting a business or undertaking ensure PPE is suitable for the hazard, a suitable size and fit for the worker, reasonably comfortable, and used correctly.

In practice, PPE that doesn’t properly fit a worker isn’t considered suitable. The responsibility is about each individual worker, not a one-size-fits-all approach. Women aren’t a special case to be accommodated; they are workers who must be protected under the same legal standard as everyone else.

Despite this clarity, ill-fitting PPE remains a long-standing and normalised risk in many industries, driven by default procurement practices and legacy design assumptions. The result is that women are often forced to ‘make do’ with equipment that compromises both safety and performance. Some are left with no option but to wear PPE that is too large, requires constant adjustment, or creates additional safety risks, including snag or entanglement hazards around machinery. Others may only have access to respirators that do not properly seal, increasing exposure to airborne contaminants or hazardous particles.

The hazards of improper protection

Poorly fitting PPE undermines its function as a last line of defence and introduces avoidable exposure to hazards. These include electricity, radiation, noise, temperature extremes, air and water pressure changes, oxygen deficiency, traumatic or stressful events, and chemical exposure.

Appropriate PPE is particularly critical in respiratory protection. Where respirators are required, they must comply with AS/NZS 1716:2012,² and their selection, use, fit testing, training, maintenance and storage must align with AS/NZS 1715:2009.³ Tight-fitting respirators must be fit tested before first use and at least annually, supported by a documented respiratory protection program.

If a respirator does not seal properly to the wearer’s face, it does not provide the intended level of protection. That is not a user issue; it is a system failure.

Similarly, poorly fitting hard hats, gloves, eyewear or body protection can create secondary hazards such as reduced visibility, impaired dexterity, snag risks or exposure gaps. In these cases, PPE can shift from a protective control to a contributing risk factor.

A systemic issue, not an individual one

Women’s PPE is not an emerging issue, but it is a long-standing risk that has been normalised through default design and procurement practices.

In many workplaces, PPE is still sourced on the assumption of a standard male body shape, with women expected to adapt. This includes equipment that is too large, requires constant adjustment, or fails to provide adequate coverage or seal.

The consequences are well documented in practice: equipment that shifts during use, respirators that do not seal correctly, gloves that reduce dexterity and protective clothing that increases entanglement risk in certain environments. These are not minor inconveniences — they are failures of risk control.

This is not about individual behaviour. It is about whether the control measures provided by an organisation are actually effective for the workforce using them.

Beyond the physical impact

Women have historically accepted wearing ill-fitting PPE, increasing their risk of harm, simply because it was the least-worst option available. But it doesn’t just increase their risk for injury; it also sends an unspoken message: ‘You don’t belong here.’ Workplace environments need to be built with inclusion in mind from the start, not as an afterthought, which must include PPE and other equipment being used by women. Women are hiding or suppressing their biological differences and the psychological realities that result, simply because they don’t want to risk being perceived as unable to do the job they were hired and paid to do.

Inclusion in workplace safety must therefore extend beyond policy statements. It must be reflected in the tools, equipment and systems used every day on the job.

This ultimately hits on the final impact of PPE for women: efficiency. In a workplace where PPE needs to be modified, continually adjusted or is simply not functioning as intended, it not only fails to provide protection but also reduces efficiency. Large gloves slow jobs that require fine motor skills. Misaligned vibration protection elements on gloves may necessitate more frequent breaks during the task. Adjusting uniforms, hard hats, glasses and respirators takes time and focus away from the task at hand. While safety comes first, efficiency matters to organisations and may be the catalyst needed for change in some instances.

Lifecycle changes and the need for adaptable PPE

It’s also important to note that women may need multiple sizes and styles of PPE to support natural life-cycle events, which have an outsized effect on women in the workplace. Pregnancy, mastectomy, hysterectomy and menopause can all lead to meaningful physical alterations to a woman’s measurements, weight and distribution of composition.

The historical approach of ‘shrink it and pink it’ may be an initially ‘cheap’ or ‘easy’ approach an employer could take, but it’s unacceptable, ultimately failing to safeguard employees, reduce risk or even meet legal compliance. PPE for women needs to be designed for women, not just men’s gear made in smaller sizes.

A compliant system is one that anticipates variation and provides options that remain suitable across different body types and changing needs.

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Getting an entire workforce ready to work

The first step is pretty simple. Ask female workers if their PPE fits, meets their needs or if there is anything that can be done to make it easier to work safely while using PPE. Find out if there are specific instances when adjustments are always needed, if it seems to become an inconvenience or ultimately fails. The employees wearing PPE will know what works and what doesn’t.
A secondary approach is to observe how people are working in PPE. Often, if the PPE doesn’t look like it fits, is constantly being adjusted or does not seem to be functioning properly, it probably isn’t. Look at a variety of situations and across all tasks. This will also give you an idea of where PPE may be missing, not identified or not being used, which is a chance to really explore why.
Finally, review fit testing outcomes, incident reports, workers compensation claims and worker feedback to identify recurring fit issues or patterns that may indicate PPE is not functioning as intended.

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Women, like their male counterparts, show up to work each day to complete the task at hand, be efficient members of their organisations, and contribute to the achievement of safety, quality and production. Lack of appropriate gear and fear of othering or retaliation are standing in the way and putting their health and even lives at risk. Unfortunately, it seems that many employers are waiting for a similar hands-on experience — seeing a female employee in an ill-fitting male harness or trying to figure out why a fit test keeps failing — to finally make a change. Instead, organisations need to proactively ensure their PPE systems, procurement practices and safety processes are meeting existing WHS obligations for all workers.

^{1. https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/model-whs-regulations}

^{2. https://www.standards.org.au/standards-catalogue/standard-details?designation=as-nzs-1716-2012}

^{3. https://www.standards.org.au/standards-catalogue/standard-details?designation=as-nzs-1715-2009}

Image credit: iStock.com/sturti. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.

Entries open for 2026 Augusta Zadow Awards

Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 +1000

With grants of up to $25,000 for WHS initiatives benefitting women and young workers in South Australia, entries are open for SafeWork SA’s 2026 Augusta Zadow Awards.

Established in 2005, the annual grant program recognises the legacy of Augusta Zadow, who in 1895 became South Australia’s first female inspector of factories. Zadow played a crucial role in securing better conditions for employees, particularly women and children.

“For more than 20 years, SafeWork SA’s Augusta Zadow Awards have helped to improve the safety of women and young workers across South Australia — to honour the legacy of one of the state’s great workplace safety pioneers,” SafeWork SA Executive Director Glenn Farrell said.

With projects funded last year including an electrical safety awareness program for young workers, a research project to develop strategies addressing the challenges of menopause in shift workers and a culturally safe WHS induction toolkit for young Aboriginal construction workers, 44 grants to fund safety initiatives valued at almost $475,000 have been awarded by SafeWork SA since the program began.

“We’ve funded research and solutions across industries from academia to agriculture, and plenty in between,” Farrell said.

Applications for this year’s awards close on 30 June, with successful applicants to be announced at an awards ceremony as part of National Safe Work Month in October.

For more information, and to apply, click here.

Image credit: iStock.com/RyanJLane. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.

$55K fine after work experience skylight fall results in paraplegia

Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 +1000

After a person on work experience fell more than 3.5 metres through a skylight, sustaining serious injuries resulting in paraplegia, a roofing company has been convicted and fined $55,000 — and ordered to pay $5888 in costs.

The incident occurred in February 2024; the company had been engaged to complete roofing works at a building that had multiple domed skylights and a person on paid work experience with a subcontractor was carrying a removed roofing sheet to the side of the roof when he fell through a skylight.

While several Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) outlining the risks of the roofing works and associated control measures had been prepared, there were no fall protection measures in place, a WorkSafe Victoria investigation found.

It was reasonably practicable, the court heard, for the company to reduce the risk of serious injury or death by securely covering the skylights or installing guardrails or barriers and signs around them.

After earlier pleading guilty to failing to ensure that a workplace under its management or control was safe and without risks to health, the company was sentenced in the Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on 6 May.

“Time and time again we see duty holders fail to take simple, easily understood precautions to address the serious risks of a fall from heights,” WorkSafe Victoria Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin said.

“Sadly, this failure has left an individual with devastating injuries that could and should have been prevented.”

In December 2025, the subcontracted sole trader who engaged the injured person was separately fined $50,000 without conviction in relation to the incident.

WorkSafe Victoria advised that to prevent falls from height duty holders should implement the highest possible measures from the five levels in the hierarchy of controls:

Level 1 — eliminate the risk by, where practicable, doing all or some of the work on the ground or from a solid construction.
Level 2 — use a passive fall prevention device such as scaffolds, perimeter screens, guardrails, safety mesh or elevating work platforms.
Level 3 — use a positioning system, such as a travel-restraint system, to ensure employees work within a safe area.
Level 4 — use a fall arrest system, such as a harness, catch platform or safety nets, to limit the risk of injuries in the event of a fall.
Level 5 — use a fixed or portable ladder, or implement administrative controls.

Practical advice and resources to help prevent falls in their workplaces are also available to eligible employers through WorkSafe Victoria’s free online falls basics workshops.

Image credit: iStock.com/TW Farlow. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.

Workplace Health & Safety Show returns to Melbourne next week

Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 +1000

Attended by thousands of buyers, decision-makers and end-users from Australia’s largest companies across a variety of sectors including construction, manufacturing, transport, education, health care/aged care, mining, retail and government, the Workplace Health & Safety Show returns to Melbourne next week.

Held at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from Wednesday, 20 May to Thursday, 21 May, this year’s Victorian event includes:

6000+ attendees
1000+ products to explore
200+ exhibitors
70+ speakers
40+ sessions

Speakers at this year’s show include:

Amy Bell, General Manager, Workplace Relations & Wellbeing, Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Rachael Ford, Manager Policy and Regulation, Workers Compensation, Suncorp
Julie Gratton, Safety, Health, Environment & Wellbeing Director, AECOM
Chanelle McEnallay, Group Chief Safety Officer, Ramsay Health
Heather Miller, Director – Health & Safety, Ambulance Victoria
Greg Murphy, Ambassador, Autosense
Tennille Zahra, Head of HSEQ, Kinetic

Organised by National Media, in 2026, Workplace Health & Safety Show will also be in Sydney (21–22 October at ICC Sydney) and, in 2027, will return to Brisbane (17–18 March at BCEC).

Safety Solutions is a media partner of the Workplace Health & Safety Show Melbourne. To secure a ticket, register now.

Image credit: iStock.com/Bevan Goldswain. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.

Green waste grinder fatality leads to $470K+ fine

Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 +1000

After an incident on 8 July 2022, when a worker was fatally injured while attempting to clear a blockage in a Van Gelder Green Waste grinder from within the feed chute, a recycling centre has been fined $472,500.

The result of a prosecution by SafeWork NSW, the fine was handed down in the District Court of NSW — the company pleading guilty to an offence pursuant to section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) for failing to comply with its duty to workers under section 19(1) of the Act.

“Risk control measures for working with moving plant and fixed machinery are well known,” SafeWork NSW Commissioner Janet Schorer said. “Preventing injuries caused by mobile plant, vehicles or fixed machinery is an area for action in SafeWork NSW’s regulatory priorities.

“Having an awareness and assessment of the risks, along with implementation of safe systems of work, is key to reducing the number of incidents related to moving plant,” Schorer added. “SafeWork NSW reminds all businesses of their duty to ensure their workers are protected when working with plant, machinery and equipment.”

The company has the right to appeal against the sentence.

You can read the full judgment here, on the NSW Caselaw website.

Resources to help business owners and workers manage the risks of working with plant, machinery and equipment are available here, on the SafeWork NSW website.

Image credit: iStock.com/BJP7images. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.