• eSAFE - April 2012
• eSAFE Construction - January 2012
• eSAFE Special harmonisation edition - September 2011
• Read previous editions
• Subscribe to eNEWS
• Unsubscribe

Print-friendly page

National harmonisation of OHS laws - update

In 2008, Workplace Relations Ministers from around Australia agreed to nationally harmonise occupational health and safety (OHS) laws. Safe Work Australia is currently developing national model OHS laws, which the Commonwealth and each State and Territory will implement by the end of 2011. Over the coming year, Queensland will continue working with jurisdictions and stakeholders on model OHS regulations and codes of practice.  

Model Act
The final version of the Work Health and Safety Bill will be considered by the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council at its next meeting.

Model OHS regulations
Drafting of the model regulations has commenced.  It is anticipated that the model regulations will be made available for public comment in November 2010, if not earlier. The public comment period will close in February 2011 with the final model regulations completed by June 2011. Public comment will be made through the Safe Work Australia website.

Code of practice
The following high priority codes are expected to be released for public comment with the model regulations:

1. asbestos (management and control)
2. risk assessment
3. preparation of safety data sheets
4. labelling of workplace substances
5. consultation. 

To keep up-to-date and to ensure you have proper safety management systems, policies and procedures in place in anticipation of the change, visit the Workplace Health and Safety Queensland website www.worksafe.qld.gov.au.