Browsing: WHS legislation, regulations, standards and codes (QLD) | Page 11

Mine safety laws in Queensland are being amended to increase the maximum fine 15-fold to nearly $3.8 million, indexed annually, and introduce civil penalties of up to $126,150.

• Four sets of safety regulations and amendments commence;
  
• New sockets Standard released, while NSW crushes dodgy chargers; and
  
• Utilities-avoidance toolbox tools released.

• New safety regulator established by draft exposure Bill;
  
• OHS amendments streamline reporting duties in maritime industry; and
  
• New gas safety Regulations commencing in Vic.

Queensland employers and their OHS managers will need to get their heads around even more new safety legislation, with chain of responsibility and FIFO Bills passing Parliament last night.

Work safety and workers' compensation amendments have passed Parliament in Queensland and Tasmania, while a NSW inquiry into the Dust Diseases scheme has made five recommendations amid growing concerns of a silicosis "epidemic".

Queensland has introduced a 67-page WHS Amendment Bill creating a manslaughter offence with $10 million fines and 20-year jail terms, mandating safety measures in Codes of Practice and reintroducing the role of workplace health and safety officer (WHSO).

A Bill allowing workplace dust victims to re-open lump sum compensation claims, cracking down on unsafe electrical work and amending the WHS Act, should be passed by Queensland Parliament, according to one of five recommendations from an inquiry into the proposed laws.

A parliamentary inquiry has recommended the passage of laws that confer safety duties on all building product supply chain participants and step up enforcement of WHS issues.

• Employer fined $275k over collision death;
  
• Four more WHS Codes to be overhauled in Qld; and
  
• New Radiation Regulations commencing in Vic.

A parliamentary committee inquiry has failed to reach consensus on a Bill establishing a labour-hire licensing scheme in Queensland, with some members saying there is no evidence the legislation will "defeat" rogue operators that don't meet their WHS and workers' comp obligations.