Changes for workplace health and safety as a result of the Amendment Regulation
Asbestos management and removal
Construction work and blue cards
Certificates for prescribed occupations
Tower cranes and mobile cranes
Amusement devices
Fees
Asbestos management and removal
The Amendment Regulation involves the adoption of the national codes of practice for managing and removing asbestos, and upgrading the licensing scheme for asbestos removal.
From 1 January 2006:
- the Asbestos Advisory Standard 2004 (now known as a Code of Practice) is repealed
- two new national codes must be followed for the management and removal of asbestos:
- National Code of Practice for the Management and Control of Asbestos in Workplaces [NOHSC:2018 (2005)] (non-Queensland Government link)
-
National Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos 2nd Edition [NOHSC:2002 (2005)] (non-Queensland Government link)
- all workplaces are required to identify, label and register all asbestos-containing products within two years.
From 1 July 2006:
- a new 'B' class licence will be introduced meaning only competent, licenced people can remove 'non-friable' asbestos (bonded materials such as asbestos cement sheeting) in quantities greater than 10m2.
Factsheet: new 'B' class licence for asbestos removal (PDF, 155 KB) - an 'A' class licence, also known as an Asbestos Removal Business Certificate, is required to remove 'friable' or loose asbestos in any quantity.
Construction work and blue cards
Workers who perform construction work are currently required to hold evidence that they have completed a general safety induction course (i.e. a blue card or statement of attainment).
From 1 January 2006:
- The definition of 'construction work' has been expanded in line with national standards. This means
that people undertaking the additional types of work (such as fit-outs, renovations, repairs and
refurbishment regardless of whether structural alteration is involved) must comply with construction
safety laws.
Factsheet: New definition of construction work (PDF, 81 KB) - people performing repair work on fixed plant and ships or submarines are exempt from the requirement to have general induction evidence for that type of work
- people undertaking additional construction activities (such as fit outs, renovations, repairs or refurbishments, asbestos removal and demolition) have 12 months to obtain a General Safety Induction (Construction Industry) card.
Tower cranes and mobile cranes
The Amendment Regulation requires tower cranes and mobile cranes to be inspected before registration to ensure they are safely maintained.
From 1 January 2006:
- owners of tower cranes and mobile cranes must have their cranes inspected by a competent person before registration on 31 January each year
- a competent person is someone who has a sound knowledge of relevant Australian standards, codes of practice and legislation. They must also have skills in risk management processes and design procedures for the erection, operation, maintenance, repair, alteration and dismantling of cranes
- all tower cranes and mobile cranes need to be inspected every ten years by a suitably qualified engineer.
The Amendment Regulation introduces a new licence for self erecting tower cranes.
From 1 January 2006:
- two separate certificates are required
- tower crane (CT)
- self-erecting tower crane (CS)
- assessments for self-erecting tower cranes can only be obtained through Registered Training Organisations (RTO's)
- current self-erecting tower crane operators holding a tower crane certificate have until 1 July 2007 to obtain the new certificate.
Certificates for prescribed occupations
Changes to the Amendment Regulation are part of a national agreement to transfer the assessment of prescribed occupations from accredited providers to Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). This will occur over an 18 month period.
Prescribed occupations include scaffolders, doggers, riggers, crane and hoist operators, load shifting equipment operators, and pressure equipment operators.
From 1 January 2006:
- people wanting to work in load shifting jobs will need to be assessed by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), or by an existing accredited provider
- load shifting includes people working with bridge or gantry crane removal control, dozers, excavators, forklifts, front-end loaders, backhoes, graders, order-picking forklift trucks, road rollers, skid steer loaders, and scrapers.
From 1 July 2006:
- all other prescribed occupations will commence assessment through RTOs in addition to the existing accredited providers.
From 1 July 2007:
- only Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) will be able to assess all prescribed occupations.
Amusement devices
From 16 December 2005:
- coin operated amusement devices are exempt from plant registration and plant design registration.
Fees
From 1 February 2006:
- The Department of Industrial Relations schedule of fees increases in accordance with the CPI increase as required under section 36(1)(e) of the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1977
Last updated 21 July 2009
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