Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 1997
The Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 1997 (PDF, 1.4 MB) and the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 (PDF, 766 KB) provide a framework for managing health and safety risks in Queensland workplaces.
The regulation sets out the legal requirements to prevent or control certain hazards which might cause injury or death in the workplace.
- It prohibits exposure to a risk.
- It prescribes ways of preventing or minimising exposure to a risk.
- It deals with administrative matters.
If a regulation exists for specific risks at your workplace in order to meet your obligations under the Act you must do what the regulation says to prevent or minimise the impact of the risk
Things covered by the regulation include:
- how to apply for:
- a certificate of registration of registrable plant
- a certificate of registration of registrable plant design
- a certificate to work in a prescribed occupation
- a certificate of authority to appoint a workplace health and safety officer
- a certificate of appointment as an accredited provider
- a certificate to perform a prescribed activity
- what to do if a certificate is denied, cancelled or suspended
- how to renew certificates
- restrictions for working in ‘prescribed occupations’ such as crane driving
- restrictions for ‘prescribed activities’ such as demolition work or asbestos removal
- training requirements for people working in prescribed occupations or doing prescribed activities
- training requirements for workplace health and safety officers
- when notification needs to be given for building and construction work
- what to do if there is a workplace health and safety incident
- what is required of construction workplace plans and work method statements in high risk construction and demolition activities
- safe housekeeping practices for construction work including specific requirements for principal contractors
- safe work practices around excavations and underground services
- ways to prevent falls from heights
- ways to prevent things falling on people
- prohibited substances
- how to safely manage:
- hazardous substances
- excessive noise
- asbestos materials and asbestos removal
- lead materials
- requirements for underwater diving work
- ways to make recreational snorkelling safer
- designing, manufacturing, modifying, supplying and working in confined spaces
- the use of roll-over protective structures on tractors
- availability and maintenance of amenities such as toilets, dining facilities and drinking water
- building requirements including ventilation, floor space and lighting
- first aid requirements
- limits on atmospheric contaminants.
Codes of practice also provide practical advice on how to manage exposure to risk, and like the Regulation, must be followed to meet your obligations.
Last updated February 10, 2006