As part of her role, SafeWork NSW Commissioner Janet Schorer will work with the new Expert Taskforce, which oversees and addresses silica and dust-related health risks for workers. Photo: Anna Stills.
In an effort to protect workers, the Minns Labor Government has appointed its inaugural SafeWork NSW Commissioner.
Janet Schorer has nearly three decades of experience in key public sector agencies, including the Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Department of Family and Community Services. She began her career as a registered nurse.
“I am honoured to be joining SafeWork NSW as we take our first step towards reshaping the agency into the strong and robust regulator needed to make workplaces secure, safe and healthy,” Ms Schorer said.
“Community engagement is paramount to supporting decision-making and I look forward to working with workers, representatives from employer organisations, unions, support groups and people with lived experiences to ensure people are going to the safest possible workplaces.”
Ms Schorer was also awarded the Public Service Medal in 2019.
SafeWork NSW is a standalone regulator as of this month and the commissioner has the responsibility of addressing policy, compliance and best practice as well as meaningfully engaging with workers, unions, businesses and the Family and Injured Workers Support and Advisory Group (FIWSAG).
“The establishment of SafeWork NSW as a standalone regulator and the appointment of a new commissioner reflects the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to preventing workplace deaths, injuries and illnesses,” Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said.
“The new structure will ensure SafeWork NSW will become a strong, robust and fit-for-purpose regulator capable of effectively securing safer and healthier workplaces in NSW.”
Ms Schorer will lead the state regulator’s workforce of more than 750 staff, helping to protect the health and safety of workers in NSW by consulting, liaising and speaking with stakeholders such as businesses, workers and the broader community.
The commissioner’s ultimate goal in this effort is to reduce fatalities and injuries at work. One of her biggest priorities is the prevention and management of silica and other dust-related diseases connected with the various tunnelling projects across the state.
Ms Schorer will work with the new Expert Taskforce, which oversees and addresses silica and dust-related health risks for workers. This effort has been made easier with the ban on engineered stone on 1 January.
The creation of the position and the appointment of the commissioner follows the State Government announcing a $127.7 million investment to strengthen work and safety in the state over the next four years to address psychosocial hazards, compliance and enforcement of guidelines.
The policy is part of a larger $344 million Workplace Mental Health package to strengthen support for mental health and injury prevention.
