Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities meet in Brisbane

Australia and New Zealand’s Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities (HWSA) met in Brisbane, recently, to discuss the progress of a range of initiatives to improve OHS management across Australian workplaces.

The HWSA chair, John Watson, said members received updates on current campaigns and projects.

“The Guarding of Machinery in Manufacturing project has delivered harmonised guidance material: Machinery and Equipment Safety – An Introduction, to be used in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia, with South Australia working towards its implementation,” Watson said.

“As part of this campaign, workplace inspections are underway with results to be evaluated by the end of June 2008.”

The group was also updated on the progress of Prevention of Falls in General Construction, which finalised its field intervention phase in March with results currently being analysed.

“The National Action Plan for High Risk Plant campaign has commenced and will focus on elevated work platforms, with the aim of developing a design registration checklist, compliance audit tool and inspector training package,” said Watson.

The group also decided an Australian and New Zealand OHS Inspectorate Forum will be held annually, with the next forum expected to be held in November 2008 in Victoria.