Understanding How Wineries Can Protect Their People And Their Business
It is a requirement in NSW for winery businesses to identify, assess, and manage risks so far as is reasonably practicable, in line with work health and safety (WHS) laws. One of the most effective ways to do this is by applying the Hierarchy of Risk Control — a structured framework that ranks risk control measures from most effective to least effective.
Applying this hierarchy doesn’t just reduce injuries. It helps create safer winery workplaces, strengthens safety culture, supports worker confidence, and protects the long-term reputation and continuity of the business.
This article is based on guidance from SafeWork NSW’s Guide to Managing Risks and the nationally recognised Hierarchy of Risk Control, which outlines best-practice approaches to managing workplace hazards.
What Is the Hierarchy of Risk Control?
Control measures are ranked by hierarchy from highest level of protection and reliability to the lowest. Employers and PCBUs (persons conducting a business or undertaking) must work through these levels when managing hazards and risks.
The levels are:
- Elimination – Remove the hazard entirely
- Substitution – Replace the hazard with something safer
- Engineering controls – Isolate people from the hazard
- Administrative controls – Change the way people work
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Protect the worker directly
Administrative controls and PPE are considered the least effective because they rely heavily on human behaviour and supervision.
How This Works in a Winery Setting
Examples have been listed below specifically for a winery context. The key focus is on improving worker wellbeing and business resilience
1) Eliminate the Hazard
What it means:
Remove the source of risk completely.
Winery example:
Automate a task that requires workers to enter a confined space for cleaning, so entry is no longer needed.
People & business impact:
When hazards are eliminated, workers are no longer exposed to risk — reducing injury and supporting a safer, more confident workforce.
2) Substitute with Safer Options
What it means:
Replace a hazardous process or substance with something that poses less risk.
Winery example:
Use less hazardous cleaning chemicals or switch to quieter equipment that reduces noise exposure.
People & business impact:
Reducing inherent hazards improves day-to-day comfort and long-term health, lowering disruption from injury and improving job satisfaction.
3) Engineering Controls
What it means:
Install physical controls that isolate people from the hazard.
Winery example:
Add guards to moving machinery, install ventilation in dusty or fume-prone areas, or use lifting aids for heavy barrels.
People & business impact:
Engineering controls protect workers without relying solely on behaviour, reducing injuries and contributing to smoother, uninterrupted production.
4) Administrative Controls
What it means:
Change how work is done via policies, procedures, training or scheduling.
Winery example:
Introduce standard operating procedures (SOPs), safety briefings, shift rotations to reduce repetitive strain, and clear signage.
People & business impact:
Clear procedures help workers understand expectations, improve consistency in safety behaviour, and reduce confusion or errors that lead to incidents.
5) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
What it means:
Use equipment that workers wear to protect themselves.
Winery example:
Gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, or respiratory masks in high-risk tasks.
People & business impact:
PPE serves as a valuable last line of defence when other controls can’t fully remove risk. While essential, it should support stronger controls, not replace them.
Why This Matters for People and the Business
Using the Hierarchy of Risk Control isn’t just compliance — it’s good business practice. When done well:
- Workers are genuinely safer and feel valued
- Injury rates drop and morale improves
- Operational disruptions from incidents are reduced
- The business demonstrates a proactive safety culture
- Insurance partners can better understand and support your risk profile
And because these principles are recommended under NSW WHS law, they align with what regulators expect in effective risk management.
How Barrack Broking Can Help
At Barrack Broking, we support businesses in linking their safety practices with insurance and risk management strategies. If your current approach leans heavily on lower-level controls like PPE or administration, it may be time for a risk strategy review — one that protects your people and strengthens business resilience.
Talk to Barrack Broking about a risk and insurance review tailored to your winery. Start your quote here
Reference:
SafeWork NSW, Guide to Managing Risks
Safe Work Australia, How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
