Safe Work Australia

On this page you will find information on

• About the model Codes of Practice
• Transitional approach to the model Codes of Practice
• Model Codes of Practice

About the model Codes of Practice

Model Codes of Practice are practical guides to achieving the standards of health, safety and welfare required under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act and the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations.

A code of practice applies to anyone who has a duty of care in the circumstances described in the code. In most cases, following an approved code of practice would achieve compliance with the health and safety duties in the WHS Act, in relation to the subject matter of the code. Like regulations, codes of practice deal with particular issues and do not cover all hazards or risks which may arise. The health and safety duties require duty holders to consider all risks associated with work, not only those for which regulations and codes of practice exist.

Codes of practice are admissible in court proceedings under the WHS Act and Regulations. Courts may regard a code of practice as evidence of what is known about a hazard, risk or control and may rely on the code in determining what is reasonably practicable in the circumstances to which the code relates.

The model Codes of Practice have been developed by Safe Work Australia and informed by public comment. Submissions from public comment periods are still available to view. See Harmonisation – Background

Transitional approach to the model Codes of Practice

Transitional arrangements under the model Work Health and Safety Act and model Work Health and Safety Regulations in each jurisdiction will allow duty holders a period of time to make necessary adjustments in order to comply with any new requirements.

Model Codes of Practice are based on existing codes and guidance that are currently available in jurisdictions.  Existing jurisdictional codes will remain in place until replacement model Codes of Practice are approved.

The transitional policy provides information about the approach work health and safety regulators will take to assist businesses to transition to any new requirements contained in approved Codes of Practice from 1 January 2012.

Model Codes of Practice

The following model Codes of Practice have been approved by Safe Work Australia members and the Ministerial Council.

Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemical

Confined Spaces

Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work

Managing the Work Environment and Facilities

Work Health and Safety Consultation Cooperation and Coordination

The following model Codes of Practice are currently being revised following public comment.

• First Aid in the Workplace
• Construction Work
• Preventing Falls in Housing Construction
• Managing Electrical Risks at the Workplace
• Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals
• Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace
• Safe Design of Building and Structures
• Excavation Work
• Demolition Work
• Spray Painting and Powder Coating
• Abrasive Blasting
• Welding and Allied Processes
• Safe Access in Tree Trimming and Arboriculture
• Preventing and Managing Fatigue in the Workplace
• Preventing and Responding to Workplace Bullying

Draft copies of these codes as they went out for public comment are available from the public comment page.