On the 9th of November 2009, the public comment period closed for the Model Act, Administrative Legislations, and the Regulation Impact Statement. During this period Safe Work Australia received over 480 submissions of interest in the passing of the bill which aim to create one set of work health and safety laws. The Australian Government has identified this as a priority area of concern to create the harmonisation of work health and safety laws across Australia in an effort to reduce the incidence of death, injury and disease across Australia. A national regime must be achieved in order for this Work Health and Safety Bill to be successful. Currently, the bill has been approved in all states and territories across Australia except Western Australia. The updated occupational health and safety legislation has reached the end of the first stage being endorsed by the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council (WRMC) in December 2009. This can be recognised as the biggest reformation of OHS laws in 30years.
The Safety Conference
Scheduled for the 27th October 2010Panel of eight individuals including lawyers, Professor Ron McCaullum, the chair of Safe Work Australia, WorkCover NSW’s General Manager and ComCare’s General Manager will be addressing three target issues of discussion including, the burden of proof, the personal liability of company officers and the impact on prosecutions. This panel will be set before union representatives, employers and academics. The national harmonisation of OHS legislation will be debated at The Safety Conference on October 27. Sponsored by WorkCover NSW and Getex Pty Ltd and presented by the Safety Institute of Australia's NSW Division, The Safety Conference will run during Safe Work Australia Week from October 27 to 29 at the Sydney Showground. (Safety In Australia. 2010.)
Throughout the month of October 2010, the draft model of the regulation will be sent to the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council (WRMC) for reviewing.
The public will then be able to review and comment towards the draft model of the Regulations which will be released close to the end of 2010.
For more information on establishing and auditing your OHS system within your organisation contact your local IOH office.
IOH Branch Locations
References
Safety In Australia (2010), "2/10/09 NSW: New OHS laws divide experts ahead of The Safety Conference" (Online) http://www.safetyinaustralia.com.au/safety-news/3030-21009-nsw-new-ohs-laws-divide-experts-ahead-of-the-safety-conference.html [Accessed on 05/07/2010]
