Work on harmonisation of Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws is continuing, and they are timed to start on 1 January 2012. As part of this process, draft regulations and codes of practice have now been released for public comment. The comment period closes on 4 April 2011. These regulations and codes will replace existing safety regulations and codes in all states on 1 January 2012.
The new regulations and codes cover the following topics:
- Employee representation and issue resolution
- General workplace management, including remote and isolated work, personal protective equipment, first aid and emergency management
- Noise
- Hazardous manual tasks
- Confined spaces
- Falls and falling objects
- High risk work licensing
- Abrasive blasting
- Electrical work
- Diving
- Plant and structures, including registration of plant and plant design
- Construction work, including a code of practice for construction facilities
- Hazardous chemicals, including lead and asbestos
- Major hazard facilities
- How to manage health and safety risks (code of practice only)
- How to consult (code of practice only)
Click here to access the draft regulations, codes and explanatory documents
TWU Vic/Tas (and other State Branches) are working in conjunction with TWU National Office to prepare a response to the Regulations and Codes. Contractors who wish to comment may do so individually or they can forward their comments to TWU by emailing daniela.fragale@twu.asn.au