A major workplace health and safety initiative by South Australia’s Department of Human Services (DHS) has helped the agency avoid prosecution following the tragic death of a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participant.
The Department was facing charges under South Australia’s Work Health and Safety Act 2012 for failing in its primary duty of care. A 2022 incident saw a vulnerable client, who required constant one-to-one supervision due to advanced Huntington’s disease and dementia, die from asphyxiation after slipping in her wheelchair unsupervised.
Rather than proceeding to court, DHS has entered into a $1.13 million enforceable undertaking (EU) with SafeWork SA. A key component of the EU is the development of an AI-powered chatbot designed to give frontline workers rapid, easy access to safety protocols and policies. The tool is intended to assist staff in real time, particularly when confronted with complex or unfamiliar risks in the field.
According to the EU document, the chatbot will streamline access to internal guidance by reviewing all current safety documents and surfacing relevant advice. This aims to prevent future breaches by eliminating delays in hazard response and improving compliance with client care plans.
SafeWork SA’s Executive Director, Glenn Farrell, said the Department’s actions post-incident—including implementing the chatbot, revising supervision systems, and acknowledging the incident—were proportionate to the seriousness of the case. “The enforceable undertaking allows for lasting organisational change and improved safety outcomes across the sector,” he said.
Additional safety reforms under the EU include:
- A red lanyard system identifying workers responsible for one-to-one supervision;
- Enhanced rostering technology to account for client-specific care needs;
- A dedicated safety training video for high-risk environments;
- Targeted executive safety training seminars; and
- The creation of two new safety and wellbeing advisor roles.
This landmark use of AI in safety compliance may serve as a model for other public and private sector organisations managing high-risk care environments across Australia.
