Minister for innovation and better regulation

A stellar line-up of businesses and individuals are vying for eight prestigious prizes, as finalists of the annual SafeWork NSW Awards are announced.

Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said the awards recognise businesses and individuals with the most outstanding workplace health and safety standards and return to work outcomes in NSW. 

“Every worker has the right to a safe and healthy workplace, regardless of your industry, occupation or background,” Mr Kean said.

Two businesses have been fined more than $200,000 combined, after a worker fell two stories on a construction site in Ashfield.

Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said Deicorp Pty Ltd was fined $75,000, and Rock Form Group Pty Ltd $127,500 at the Sydney District Court for failing to comply with health and safety laws.

“This worker didn’t have the proper safe guards in place and as a result, fell two stories, sustaining horrific injuries including multiple broken ribs, and a fractured leg and ankle,” Mr Kean said.

Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation speaks to about an option paper for building certifiers with Rebecca De Unamuno and Robbie Buck on ABC.

The State Government has released an options paper which sets out ways to prevent conflicts of interest between building certifiers and developers. 

Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Matt Kean MP says the current situation isn't good enough.

Tradies will save $52.3 million over 10 years from not having to renew their licenses every three years, as part of the NSW Government’s Better Business reforms.

Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said it followed extensive public consultation, which also showed significant support for retaining 13 home building licenses.

“This is a fantastic outcome for consumers and for more than 27,400 tradies around the State, because it maintains important protections while also cutting costs,” Mr Kean said.

A new self-assessment toolkit to improve health and safety in the workplace has been launched as part of Safe Work Month, which kicks off around the country this week.

Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Matt Kean said the free Easy to Do Work Health and Safety toolkit will make it easier for small businesses to comply with their work health and safety (WHS) obligations.

“We have more than 700,000 small businesses in NSW, with many telling us that it’s not always easy to manage WHS,” said Mr Kean.

Conflicts of interest between building certifiers and developers will be stamped out by tougher regulations being proposed in NSW.

Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said an options paper is being released which sets out new ways of improving transparency around the appointment of certifiers.

“It’s ridiculous that developers can choose their own certifiers,” Mr Kean said.

“This year alone, the Building Professionals Board (BPB) has received 163 complaints about certifiers, and the NSW public expects better.

New South Wales' Safe Work Month kicks off today, with the Berejiklian Government releasing the new Easy to Do Work Health and Safety Toolkit to make it easier for small business to manage accidents.

Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Matt Kean MP says the toolkit will help ease the burden for small businesses.

Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Matt Kean MP speaks to Ray Hadley on 2GB.