Rural ISSC communique: August 2025

The Rural Industry Sector Standing Committee (the Committee) met on 27 August 2025.

Members welcomed the Chair of the Work Health and Safety Board (WHS Board), Mr Michael Hart, who was appointed to the role in January 2025. Mr Hart, who attended at the start of the meeting, acknowledged the work of the Committee in providing grounded industry insights and feedback to support the WHS Board perform its advisory function.

Members discussed the challenges and opportunities relating to the availability of workplace health and safety (WHS) training in regional Queensland. They recognised the abundance of existing WHS information available in the public arena and considered how this information could be better positioned to amplify reach with target audiences. The Committee agreed this is a multifaceted issue and various avenues should be considered to improve reach of safety messaging in the rural sector. To better position and consider recommendations for more effective industry communications the Committee will hold a half-day meeting in November to consider this matter in further detail.

The Committee noted progress by OIR in developing comprehensive industry guidance on heat stress, as well as the development of a draft model Code of Practice on Managing the risk of fatigue at work, by Safe Work Australia.

The Committee also noted and agreed to highlight to the WHS Board concerns that the costs associated with accessing important safety standards (such as Australian Standards) are or may impede employers’ and others’ ability to comply with WHS legislative requirements.

The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday 26 November 2025.

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