Workplace Health and Safety

Navigating the complex landscape of workplace health and safety (WHS) laws across Australia

With the continuous evolution of WHS laws at both the Federal and State levels, staying compliant and ensuring workplace safety has become increasingly challenging for employers and business owners.

Our experienced team is dedicated to monitoring these regulatory changes to understand how they intersect with other areas of legislation, and how employers and businesses can demonstrate compliance.

We combine legal expertise with practical industry knowledge to deliver tailored legal solutions, assisting our clients to promote a safe and healthy work environment for all stakeholders.

WHS SYSTEM AUDITS

INCIDENT MANAGEMENT

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

WORKERS COMPENSATION

WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS

WORKPLACE TRAINING

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Commercial experience

Our team work collaboratively with clients across a range of sectors, taking time to understand their unique environmental and operational complexities and actively address specific health and safety challenges.

CONSTRUCTION

EDUCATION

HEALTH CARE

MANUFACTURING

RETAIL

TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS

Our services

We offer a comprehensive range of legal services across all aspects of WHS, supporting our clients to comply with their relevant legal obligations and effectively manage the health and safety of their workplaces.

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WHS SYSTEM AUDITS

A key challenge for organisations lies in ensuring compliance with constantly evolving WHS laws, regulations and standards, which can be complex and time-consuming to navigate alone.

Madgwicks offers an independent legal audit of your existing WHS systems, assessing compliance against WHS laws and other applicable requirements, including Australian Standards and Codes of Practice.

The methodology adopted uses the elements of ISO 45001:2018 and involves:

an in-depth review of all existing policies, procedures, standards and guidelines;
consultation with key stakeholders to capture potential gaps and improvements; and
a final report outlining tiered recommendations for implementing more robust safety measures, ensuring ongoing compliance and minimising risk/liability.

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

Keeping pace with ever-changing WHS laws and regulations poses a significant challenge for organisations, especially those operating in multiple jurisdictions or industries with unique compliance requirements.

Madgwicks offers tailored legal advice to ensure clients stay abreast of regulatory changes, maintaining compliance to avoid potential penalties or legal disputes.

Our team are also well-placed to act as a liaison between clients and regulatory authorities, addressing enquiries, responding to compliance notices, and facilitating inspections or audits to ensure regulatory requirements are met.

WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS

SERIOUS INCIDENT MANAGEMENT

Responding to and effectively managing serious workplace incidents such as accidents or fatalities requires swift action, clear communication, and precise compliance with legal reporting obligations.

Our team are available 24/7 to respond to a workplace incident, providing strategic guidance and support in the immediate aftermath and throughout the longer-term response.

We are highly experienced at guiding clients through high-pressure situations, ensuring all regulatory requirements are considered whilst taking steps to mitigate reputational damage and minimise legal exposure.

We also provide representation and advocacy in WHS-related legal proceedings, including prosecutions, coronial inquests, and disputes with regulatory authorities.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION

Effectively managing ill and injured employees can present a complex set of challenges for businesses, from navigating the claims process, managing insurer interactions, the practical return-to-work implications, and ensuring fair outcomes for injured workers and employers alike.

Madgwicks offers expert legal representation and advocacy for organisations dealing with WorkCover claims, facilitating timely resolutions and minimising legal and financial liability.

WORKPLACE TRAINING

Promoting a culture of health and safety compliance is a critical aspect of an organisation's WHS management system, designed to enhance skills and knowledge, reduce workplace incidents, and demonstrate a commitment to excellence and compliance.

Madgwicks offers customised training, from employee level all the way to Executive and Board level. Our programs are tailored to each clients' specific needs, covering topics such as WHS regulations, risk management, and dispute resolution.

Navigating the complex landscape of workplace health and safety (WHS) laws across Australia

WHS SYSTEM AUDITS

INCIDENT MANAGEMENT

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

WORKERS COMPENSATION

WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS

WORKPLACE TRAINING

Commercial experience

CONSTRUCTION

EDUCATION

HEALTH CARE

MANUFACTURING

RETAIL

TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS

Our services

Recognised as industry leaders in workplace health and safety law

Our Experts

Luisa Gonzaga

Principal

Tim Greenall

Special Counsel