SafeWork NSW Inspectors are conducting compliance operations to ensure Food Delivery Riders won’t be out of pocket when the new safety laws begin on 1 January 2023.
Acting Head of SafeWork John Tansey said the NSW Government continues to liaise with industry and riders on the changes, which include new requirements to ensure all riders are provided with high visibility personal protective equipment (PPE), receive comprehensive training, and are competent to do the work.
“SafeWork Inspectors have already issued warnings to a number of riders who were not wearing their supplied high visibility vests when delivering food,” Mr Tansey said
“We made a major step to improve safety for riders on 1 July this year, when it became law for food delivery booking providers to supply their riders with PPE.
“On 1 January 2023 it becomes law for riders to wear the supplied PPE, which is a high visibility vest and food bag, and carry a training verification record. After this date, all riders found to not be wearing their PPE will be hit with a $144 fine for each offence.”
After a series of food delivery rider fatalities at the end of 2020, the NSW Government set up a Food Delivery Rider Taskforce, rolled out a high-profile education and compliance program across Sydney, and announced new laws that apply to all delivery platforms.
“These reforms are about keeping riders safer on our roads,” Mr Tansey said.
“We now have the strongest safety environment for food delivery platforms and riders anywhere in the world and will continue to work with industry to ensure a culture where people and safety comes first.”
The WHS Amendment (Food Delivery Riders) Regulation 2022 states: All food delivery platforms:
- Will be required to provide riders with induction training before they allow a rider to work for their platform.
- Must provide each rider with a training record verifying that the rider has successfully completed induction training.
- Must maintain records of high-visibility PPE provision and training records of delivery riders.
All riders:
- Will be legally required to use or wear the PPE that has been provided to them while delivering food or drink.
- Must produce their training record if requested by a SafeWork NSW Inspector or NSW police officer.
- Penalties and fines will apply to platforms and riders who cannot show that they have met these requirements.
