Important: From 1 January 2012, information on this website is being reviewed and must be read in conjunction with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
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We are now three months from a new era in workplace health and safety in Australia with national legislation taking effect on 1 January 2012.
Nationally harmonised laws will mean a consistent level of protection for workers no matter where you work in Australia. For employers it will mean consistent compliance requirements no matter where you run your business.
1. Levelling the field: Safety Ambassador Mal Meninga
Explaining the complex issues surrounding the prevention of death, injury and illness at work is a difficult one, so I will try to relate it to someone who has played and works with rugby league players.
[Full article]
2. Changes to work health and safety regulations - at a glance
Following public comment and consideration by Safe Work Australia, the model Work Health and Safety Regulation (model WHS Regulation) has been revised.
[Full article]
3. Rural industry exemptions
Rural exemptions under the old regulations were removed in September 2010. Under the new model Work Health and Safety Regulation there are a number of new requirements relevant to the rural industry including remote or isolated work, chemicals and asbestos that will apply to the rural industry from 1 January 2012.
[Full article]
4. Codes of practice under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011
Safe Work Australia is developing model codes of practice as agreed under the Inter-Governmental Agreement for Regulatory and Operational Reform in Occupational Health and Safety.
A code of practice provides practical guidance for people who have work health and safety duties about how to achieve the standards required under work health and safety legislation, and about effective ways to identify and manage risks.
[Full article]
5. New duties for PCBUs in Queensland
The model Work Health and Safety Regulation (model WHS Regulation) brings new duties for a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) that include:
6. Free information sessions for regional Queensland employers and workers on new workplace health and safety laws
Free information sessions on new harmonised workplace health and safety laws coming into effect on 1 January 2012 will be held in Townsville, Mackay, Gold Coast, Caloundra, Toowoomba, Gladstone, Maryborough, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Cairns, Brisbane and Ipswich.
[Full article]
7. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland urges employers to keep their safety staff
Workplace Health and Safety Officers, commonly known by their acronym WHSOs, have played an integral part in the work health and safety framework in Queensland for many years. However, the new model WHS Act does not provide for the appointment of WHSOs which were exclusive to Queensland and they will not transition into the new nationally harmonised laws due to commence on 1 January 2012.
[Full article]
8. Regulation changes for the construction industry
The model Work Health and Safety Regulation (model WHS Regulation) provides duties reasonably consistent with the current Queensland WHS Regulation, though there will be some differences the construction industry needs to be aware of.
[Full article]
9. Asbestos management under the new laws
For the most part, the national model Work Health and Safety Regulation (model WHS Regulation) covers the same requirements for asbestos management already in effect in Queensland, but there are some significant changes.
[Full article]
10. Repeal of the Dangerous Goods Safety Management Act 2001 - what does it mean for local government?
Under changes to work health and safety laws, from 1 January 2012 the Queensland Work Health and Safety Act 2011 will regulate dangerous goods and major hazard facilities and the Queensland Dangerous Goods Safety Management Act 2001 will be repealed.
[Full article]
11. Licence fees cut for earthmovers in lead up to harmonised laws
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is waiving all renewal and new application fees ($56) for earthmoving or particular crane (EPC) certificates because it is anticipated that these certificates will not be required from 1 January 2012 under nationally harmonised work health and safety laws.
[Full article]
12. Dive safety protected during harmonisation process
The safety of Queensland's unique diving and snorkelling industry has been protected, with new laws passed to maintain the state's strict standards.
[Full article]
13. Hazardous chemicals, including lead
The model Workplace Health and Safety Regulation (model WHS Regulation) and model Code of Practice for Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals cover substantially the same requirements regarding hazardous chemicals already in effect in Queensland but with a few changes industry needs to be aware of.
[Full article]
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© The State of Queensland (Department of Justice and Attorney-General) 2009.
