Injury Matters recently #connected with Catherine Purnell, Principal Product Safety Officer, from the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS) Consumer Protection division, to learn more about the work and projects that Consumer Protection do to address product safety and injury prevention.
Catherine coordinates product safety functions for LGIRS Consumer Protection under the Australian Consumer Law, ensuring that consumer goods and related services are safe. She supports Inspectors and Investigation Officers with mandatory information requests, product safety investigations, safety warning notices, and recall negotiations. Catherine also responds to emerging hazards and contributes to national product safety projects led by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
What projects are you currently working on?
The team I manage is currently focused on several product safety risks contributing to serious injuries nationally and in Western Australia. These include safety issues when using infant sleep products, button batteries, quad bikes, lithium-ion batteries, and risks associated with the increasing use of e-Rideables such as e-scooters.
How do you see injury prevention projects evolving over the next 5 years?
Over the next 5 years, I expect injury prevention projects to become increasingly data-driven, nationally coordinated and focused on emerging technologies. As new products enter the market more quickly, regulators and injury prevention agencies will need to identify risks earlier and respond more proactively.
We’re also likely to see stronger collaboration between regulators, health professionals, standards bodies and industry, with greater emphasis on prevention at the design and supply stage rather than reacting after injuries occur.
Importantly, consumer awareness will continue to play a critical role. Prevention will not only rely on enforcement, but also on education – ensuring consumers understand product risks and know how to report unsafe products so action can be taken quickly.
What is the biggest challenge you see facing the injury prevention space?
One of the biggest challenges in injury prevention is keeping pace with the speed at which new products enter the market.
Online sales, evolving technologies, international supply chains and emerging products can introduce hazards that don’t fit neatly within existing regulatory frameworks. This requires regulators, health professionals and industry to be agile and collaborative.
Another ongoing challenge is under-reporting. Many product-related injuries go unreported, limiting the data available to identify trends and intervene early. Strengthening information sharing, encouraging timely reporting from consumers, businesses, and health practitioners, will be critical to improving prevention outcomes.
How can people engage and connect with the work being done by Consumer Protection WA?
Consumers and businesses can engage with Consumer Protection’s work in several practical ways.
VISIT the Consumer Protection WA website to report unsafe products
FOLLOW Consumer Protection WA and Product Safety Australia and subscribe to recall alerts
NETWORK and ENGAGE Consumer Protection WA can share information, guidance materials, and deliver presentations.
Final words
I encourage injury prevention professionals and community organisations to continue sharing information about emerging product risks. Strong partnerships and early information sharing are some of the most effective tools we have to prevent harm before it occurs.
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