Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Workplace Safety & Training Services Pty Ltd, trading as Howsafe (ABN 76 076 092 754), is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our website, services, and products.

We are bound by the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and any applicable state or territory privacy legislation. By using our services, you consent to the practices described in this policy.

2. About Howsafe

Howsafe has been providing workplace health and safety consultancy and training services since 1993. We operate from our Head Office in Thornton, New South Wales, with additional presence in the Wollongong region, serving clients across all Australian states and territories.

Our services include WHS consultancy, safety documentation, training programs, cloud-based safety management systems, and related workplace safety solutions.

3. Information We Collect

3.1 Personal Information

We may collect the following types of personal information:

• Name, job title, and employer details
• Contact information (email address, phone number, postal address)
• Business information (company name, ABN, industry sector)
• Payment and billing information
• Training records and certification details
• Incident reports and safety documentation you submit through our systems
• Communications and correspondence with us

3.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website or use our cloud-based portal, we may automatically collect:

• IP address and device information
• Browser type and operating system
• Pages visited and time spent on our website
• Referring website addresses
• Usage data from our safety management portal

3.3 Sensitive Information

In the course of providing WHS services, we may collect sensitive information such as health information related to workplace incidents, injuries, or fitness for work assessments. We only collect sensitive information with your consent or where required by law, and we handle it with the highest level of care and security.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

• Providing our WHS consultancy, training, and documentation services
• Managing your account and access to our cloud-based portal
• Processing payments and managing billing
• Communicating with you about your services, updates, and support
• Sending relevant safety alerts, legislative updates, and industry news (with your consent)
• Improving our services and developing new products
• Complying with legal obligations, including WHS legislation requirements
• Responding to enquiries and providing customer support
• Conducting business analytics and research

5. Disclosure of Your Information

We may disclose your personal information to:

• Our employees, contractors, and service providers who assist in delivering our services
• Third-party technology providers who host our systems (all data remains in Australia)
• Professional advisers such as lawyers and accountants
• Regulatory authorities where required by law (e.g., SafeWork NSW, Comcare)
• Your employer (where you are using our services on their behalf)

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

6. Data Security

We take the security of your personal information seriously and implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect it, including:

• Secure, encrypted connections (SSL/TLS) for all data transmission
• Secure cloud hosting with Australian-based data centres
• Access controls and authentication requirements
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Staff training on privacy and data protection
• Secure backup and disaster recovery procedures

While we strive to protect your personal information, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but are committed to maintaining industry-standard protections.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, including:

• For the duration of our business relationship with you
• As required by WHS legislation (which may require records to be kept for 30 years or more for certain incidents)
• As required by taxation and corporate law
• To resolve disputes and enforce our agreements

When personal information is no longer required, we will securely destroy or de-identify it.

8. Your Rights

Under Australian privacy law, you have the right to:

• Access – Request access to the personal information we hold about you
• Correction – Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Complaints – Lodge a complaint if you believe we have breached your privacy
• Opt-out – Unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details provided below. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe, usually within 30 days.

9. Cookies and Tracking

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience. These may include:

• Essential cookies – Required for the website to function properly
• Analytics cookies – Help us understand how visitors use our website
• Preference cookies – Remember your settings and preferences

You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our website and services.

10. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, such as regulatory bodies (SafeWork Australia, state WHS regulators) or industry associations. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy on our website with a new "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to access or correct your personal information, or have a privacy complaint, please contact us:

13. Complaints to the OAIC

If you are not satisfied with our response to a privacy complaint, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC):