7 December 2010
Mr Tom Phillips AM, Safe Work Australia Chair, today announced the commencement of the public comment period on the draft model Work Health and Safety Regulations and priority model Codes of Practice.
Safe Work Australia works in partnership with the Commonwealth, state and territory governments to deliver harmonised work health and safety laws across Australia with the aim of achieving the best possible approach to safety for all Australian workplaces.
Mr Phillips said the public comment period will provide an opportunity for individuals and organisations to participate in the development of the model Work Health and Safety Regulations and priority model Codes of Practice and ensure their voice is heard.
“Model work health and safety laws will allow organisations to effectively manage workplace safety and work to one set of laws regardless of how many states or territories they are operating in.
“This will increase profitability and productivity and most importantly, support the safety of all workers and provide greater certainty for employers,” said Mr Phillips.
The suite of documents available for public comment includes an exposure draft of the model Work Health and Safety Regulations, priority model Codes of Practice and an Issues Paper. The public comment period will close on 4 April 2011.
As part of the development of the Consultation Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS), Access Economics on behalf of Safe Work Australia, is surveying businesses across a range of sizes, industries and regions in an effort to obtain data on anticipated compliance costs and safety benefits of the model Work Health and Safety Regulations. The Consultation RIS will be released shortly after the commencement of the public comment period and will be used to inform the preparation of the Decision RIS.
For more information on the model work health and safety laws or to subscribe to our mailing list, visit www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au
Public submissions can be sent to submissions@safeworkaustralia.gov.au
Safe Work Australia media enquiries 0434 664 294