A SafeWork NSW blitz in Sydney’s metropolitan area has revealed widespread non-compliance with workplace health and safety laws by food delivery platform operators.
Minister for Better Regulation, Kevin Anderson said that following SafeWork’s blitz six platform operators had been served with improvement notices.
Mr Anderson said the gig economy sector was put on notice after all of the riders observed – but one – were found operating in an unsafe manner.
“What we’ve seen is disgraceful,” Mr Anderson said.
“Riders out in the dark without high-vis, wearing thongs, cutting in front of trams, using mobile phones and giving passengers a lift while on the job.
“Enough is enough,” he said.
“In the last 12 months alone four lives have been lost in this industry.”
The Minister said that last weekend (27-28 March) SafeWork issued the improvement notices to Uber Eats, Hungry Panda, Menulog, Deliveroo, Yellow and Chowbus regarding failing to inform and instruct their riders around safe work practices and appropriate safety equipment.
He said the blitz found more than 90 per cent of the riders had inadequate personal protective equipment while around 60 per cent could not demonstrate or refer to any work safety protocols having been provided to them.
“The message to operators is clear – safety must always come first, and we won’t hesitate to prosecute anyone who puts workers lives at risk,” he said.
Mr Anderson said SafeWork introduced new guidelines last month to help food delivery operators, drivers and restaurants understand how to fulfil their obligations under the NSW Work Health and Safety Legislation.
“The guidelines make it crystal clear what is required to improve safety and how the laws we have in place apply in this industry,” he said.
