OHS harmonisation update: model work health and safety Act

In 2008, the Commonwealth, state and territory governments signed an inter-governmental agreement (IGA) to harmonise workplace health and safety laws by the end of 2011.

Safe Work Australia is responsible for developing a national model work health and safety Act with the assistance of the Commonwealth, states and territories and representatives of unions and employer associations. The model legislation will consist of a principal work health and safety Act, supported by model regulations and codes of practice that will be adopted in each jurisdiction.

On 11 December 2009, the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council endorsed the model Work Health and Safety Act and agreed to allow further minor and technical amendments to improve the clarity, consistency and workability of the Act.

The model Work Health and Safety Act can be viewed on the Safe Work Australia website: www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au.

The model Work Health and Safety Regulations are currently being developed and are planned to be available for public comment in November 2010.

Along with the regulations, the following priority areas will be covered under model codes of practice which will be developed:

• Risk management;
• Asbestos;
• Prevention of falls;
• Construction induction;
• Scaffolding and rigging;
• Pre-cast tilt-up and concrete elements in building construction;
• The design, manufacture, import and supply of plant;
• Plant use of certain types eg, amusement structures and rollover protection;
• Preparation of material data safety sheet;
• Labelling of workplace substances;
• Confined spaces; and
• Major hazard facilities.

In addition, a nationally consistent approach to compliance policy and enforcement policy will be developed to ensure consistent application of the model laws throughout Australia.

By: Workplace Health and Safety Queensland