What do the new Work Health & Safety Regulations (WHS) cover?
The WHS Regulations are extensive and include introduction of a principal contractor regime and other obligations for lead contractors where there is construction work. This includes:
- Extensive regulation for plant and structures (including by imposing obligations on manufacturers, designers, suppliers, importers and persons who install or commission plant or structure)
- Extensive regulation for hazardous work including work in confined space and high risk work
- Changes to regulations for working in noisy environments, working with hazardous chemicals, including inorganic lead and asbestos and a safety case regime for operators of Major Hazard Facilities.
It is also likely to include a chapter regarding safety in Mines which is being developed in conjunction with the National Mine Safety Framework. The Chapter about Mines is expected to deal with:
- Appointment of mine operators
- Risk control measures in mines
- Safety management systems
- Emergency response plans
- Mine survey plans and mine records.
Draft Codes of Practice are now available for viewing.
The following draft Codes of Practice have been issued recently:
- How to Consult on Work and Safety
- How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
- Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
- Codes that are risk specific (eg facilities for construction sites, how to prevent falls, confined spaces).
The first three of these Codes of Practice will be relevant to every organisation.
The Code of Practice on How to Consult on Work and Safety is very detailed. It provides examples of how duty holders should consult, cooperate and coordinate activities, including by giving practical examples, such as how a finance company leasing premises in a multi-tenanted office block where lift maintenance is being carried out can consult with other duty holders.
Similarly, the Code of Practice on How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks is a detailed document that sets out how to identify, assess and control risks, by reference to the hierarchy of control and how to review and record your risk management processes.
