Manufacturing ISSC communique: December 2025

The Manufacturing Industry Sector Standing Committee (the Committee) met on Thursday, 4 December 2025.

Members discussed a presentation from the Office of Industrial Relations (OIR) on heat stress. Members discussed the need to educate employers and workers on heat stress and change industry attitudes towards the heat stress hazard. Members considered the existing available tools on heat stress including the OIR heat stress calculator and an information webinar titled “Heat Stress as a workplace hazard”. Members agreed that heat stress guidance information should be provided to industry as soon as possible and welcomed the opportunity for consultation on heat stress guidance material in early 2026.

Members discussed the impact of new technologies on work health and safety in the manufacturing sector, particularly artificial intelligence (AI). Members agreed that AI tools can provide great productivity and safety benefits. Some Members noted that these benefits are offset by concerns such as ethical/privacy concerns and potential job displacement. Members agreed that AI is an issue the Committee should continue to monitor.

The Committee noted the model fatigue code of practice (code) and agreed to review the code out of session.

The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Thursday, 26 March 2026.

ISSC secretariat | Email: oirboardsandcommittees@oir.qld.gov.au