The government has appointed an acting head of SafeWork NSW to beef up compliance and lead the transformation of SafeWork NSW.
The former Liberal-National government treated SafeWork as a brand and scrambled it into various business units of the Department of Customer Service.
SafeWork staff will be bought back together with a dedicated acting deputy secretary, Trent Curtin, who will be responsible for leading SafeWork operations and assisting the government in its response to the Independent Review into SafeWork NSW by the Hon. Robert McDougall KC.
The ultimate long-term structure and governance arrangements will be informed by the findings later this year.
Mr Curtin joins SafeWork NSW from Fire and Rescue NSW where he recently served as the acting deputy commissioner and as the national spokesperson on fire safety regulation and compliance.
Mr Curtin brings with him strong experience in organisational strategy and change, crisis management, a lifelong passion for safety. His expertise will prove invaluable as SafeWork NSW moves forward.
Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:
"Trent Curtin has played a vital role in the protection of communities through a number of crisis events, including several major bushfires. I would like to welcome him to this role.
"His extensive knowledge and experience will prove critical working together with our stakeholders when we take action to implement the findings of the McDougall review.
Acting Deputy Secretary for SafeWork Trent Curtin said:
"This is an exciting time for SafeWork NSW. I am looking forward to continuing to serve the community and to establishing SafeWork NSW as a strong work health and safety regulator.
"I'm thrilled to be joining a team of passionate professionals committed to reducing work related fatalities, serious injuries and illnesses, and who are making it easier to do business safely in NSW."
