Ashurst’s workplace health and safety practice is a market leader nationally, advising both public and private sector clients, including federal and state government bodies in NSW, Queensland, and Western Australia. The team, led by Lea Constantine, frequently acts for large corporations in major safety incidents, including fatalities and coronial inquiries, and is often engaged to brief boards on officers’ WHS duties and liabilities. Scarlet Reid, a former SafeWork NSW prosecutor, adds strong regulatory expertise to the group. James Hall departed the team in 2025.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Scarlet Reid and her team are experts and wonderful to deal with. Scarlet has unique experience in advising on regulatory matters, which is demonstrated every time we engage her. Her ability to cut through the issues and deliver a clear, practical way forward is exceptional. I have no hesitation in recommending her team for all WHS matters.'
- 'Scarlet Reid delivers exceptional, high-quality advice. She easily adapts to different audiences, and her careful approach is greatly appreciated. We heavily rely on her experience, and she delivers each time. The service we receive is outstanding.'
- 'The team are cohesive and efficient. Information is shared so that there are no gaps if one member is tied up with other work. They function seamlessly and always maintain a strong client focus.'
- 'Each member of the team is highly skilled, with deep knowledge of labour, employment, and safety law. They are hardworking, intelligent in their approach, and their advice is always accurate and concise.'
Key clients
- NSW Government
- NSW Health
- University of NSW
- Lendlease
- Coronado
- Anglo American
- Alcoa of Australia Limited
- Boral
Work highlights
Assisted Western Sydney Local Health District with the defence of a landmark psychosocial risk prosecution and achieved a successful outcome involving the withdrawal of the matter by SafeWork NSW following three weeks of hearing and the calling of 20 witnesses.
Advised the Queensland Government on rail safety, electrical safety, and work health and safety in its role as the party commissioning the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program (which will build 65 new six-car passenger trains at a purpose-built manufacturing facility).
Acting for Anglo American Steelmaking Coal in relation to an underground methane gas ignition incident on 29 June 2024, which suspended production at its Grosvenor Mine in Queensland.
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Practice head
Lea Constantine
Other key lawyers
Scarlet Reid