New Work Health and Safety Laws (the National Harmonized Work Health and Safety [WHS] Laws) are scheduled to commence on the 1st January 2012.
It is expected that the WHS Act will be operational in Queensland, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory on the 1st January 2012 with Victoria and Western Australia expected to join the new laws later in 2012. Some of the codes of practice enshrined in the new legislation include:
- first aid in the workplace;
- managing risks in construction work;
- preventing falls in housing construction;
- managing electrical risks at the workplace;
- managing risks of hazardous chemicals; and
- managing risks of plant in the workplace.
The effect of this will be that Work Health and Safety Laws are similar in each State and Territory. The regulator for this scheme will be the present regulator in your State or Territory. We recommend that you consider the impact of this legislation on your business. If you require further information, please contact your Employer Organisation.
