The NSW government is cracking down on making sure companies are protecting food delivery riders and riders are riding safely.
The New South Wales government said it will introduce a set of new laws that aim to better protect the safety of gig economy and food delivery workers, while also cracking down on unsafe practices by riders. The state government outlined that these new measures include ensuring food delivery platforms provide riders with personal protective equipment and implement compulsory induction training, as well as introducing a new penalty system for non-compliant riders who are found to not be wearing safe, high-visibility clothing, breaking road rules when riding, or using vehicles that are not roadworthy. These new changes will be implemented as part of amendments to the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017. “Improving safety on our roads is our number one priority. Everyone deserves to return home safely to their families at the end of the working day and these new laws will play a big role in ensuring that happens,” Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said. “The message is clear — safety must always come first. You must abide by these new measures or you will be caught, you will be fined and you will be called out.” The changes are part of the 10 recommendations that the Joint Taskforce into Food Delivery Rider Safety put forward in its final report [PDF], which was released on Monday.
