SafeWork NSW Steps Up Enforcement Following $128M Budget Boost and Tragic Construction Fatalities

Introduction
A tragic workplace death in 2016 continues to cast a long shadow over New South Wales’ construction industry. Now, nearly a decade later, SafeWork NSW is ramping up its enforcement efforts after receiving a record $128 million budget increase. The funding will allow the regulator to hire 50 new inspectors and expand its oversight across both physical and psychological workplace hazards.

At the heart of this push is a promise: to prevent more families from suffering the kind of devastating loss that Linda Moussa experienced when her partner, Iremar Da Silva, never returned home from work.

Details of the Incident
On October 25, 2016, skilled carpenter Iremar Da Silva was working on a construction site for a residential block in Ryde, north-west Sydney, when he fell from the first floor. There were no safety barriers in place.

Just weeks earlier, the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) had visited the site and flagged multiple safety concerns. “That’s really tragic, because had they paid attention to that advice, then maybe he would have been with us,” said his partner, Linda Moussa.

SafeWork NSW investigated and concluded that Mr Da Silva’s death was caused by negligence. Two companies were taken to court and fined approximately $500,000 each.

Regulatory Actions and Findings
Following the budget boost announced in 2025, SafeWork NSW plans to significantly expand its enforcement footprint. Executive Director Petrina Casey confirmed that the regulator now has the capacity to launch more legal actions against negligent employers.

“The intent is that we have more resources to hold employers to account,” Ms Casey stated. There are currently 370 inspectors, and 50 more will be recruited—25 of whom will specifically focus on psychological health risks like bullying and sexual harassment.

Inspectors will have greater powers to stop unsafe work, seize evidence, and issue immediate fines on the spot.

Broader Implications
According to official data, one worker dies from a job-related injury every week in NSW. Advocates argue this is a systemic issue requiring cultural and operational reform—not just financial investment.

The government’s renewed focus on mental health comes amid backlash over a blocked bill that would have reduced compensation access for workers with psychological injuries. While that legislation has stalled, critics worry about a policy gap between prevention and support.

“We’ve seen an increase [in claims], and we’re trying to manage that increase at the front end,” said WHS Minister Sophie Cotsis, pledging that psychological injuries would be treated “as seriously as physical injury”.

Company and Government Response
Petrina Casey reiterated that SafeWork NSW is sharpening its focus on psychosocial harms. “Traditionally [bullying] is where we’re seeing a lot of the psychosocial claims come from,” she said.

In parallel, the government is launching a state-wide advertising campaign to raise awareness about workplace safety, with the campaign set to begin Sunday.

Minister Cotsis said the investment shows that the Minns government is committed to safety reform. “This is about prevention and enforcement. No one should go to work and not come home,” she said.

Facility Details
The site where Iremar Da Silva died was a multi-storey residential development in Ryde. Although his individual case is nearly a decade old, it remains a touchstone in policy conversations about lax enforcement, union oversight, and employer responsibility.

SafeWork NSW will now be present across more building sites, warehouses, and offices with expanded authority and manpower. The regulator’s evolving mandate includes physical site inspections, psychosocial investigations, and intervention into unsafe labour practices.

Conclusion
For Linda Moussa and her son, no funding or regulatory promise can undo their loss. But for hundreds of other families across NSW, SafeWork’s renewed crackdown may be a turning point. With greater oversight and broader powers, the state is sending a clear message: preventable deaths must end—and responsibility will be enforced.