Human Resources
Harmonisation 2012
From January 1 2012, new Work Health and Safety laws (WHS Laws) will come into effect across Australia. For the first time, the Commonwealth, States and Territories will have the same work health and safety laws.
In NSW, the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 will replace the current Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Why are new work health and safety laws being introduced?
Essentially, the new work health and safety laws are being introduced to provide a consistent level of safety for all workers in Australia.
Key changes in the legislation include:
- An employer will become known as a ‘person conducting a business or undertaking’, or PCBU.
- Officers of a PCBU must be proactive in discharging their obligations under the new Act.
- Health and safety representatives (HSRs) will replace occupational health and safety (OHS) representatives, and have greater responsibilities in enforcing health & safety matters and ensuring that consultation occurs in the workplace.
- Increased penalties for PCBU’s, Officers and individuals, including jail terms.
- Introduction of enforceable undertakings by corporations (lesser penalty for undertaking activities to reduce the risk of a further breach of the Act).
- New national Codes of Practise to replace codes in each State or Territory.
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For information on:
- OHS Policies/Procedures
- Forms
- OHS Consultation
Contact Michael Carley on 9850 9725.