Many Queensland WHS Regulations pushed back to 2014; Transitional arrangements expiring in NT as annual reports released; and NHVR boss appointed as national law amended.
New board appointed in controversial WorkCover "shake-up"; Safety-data-sheet guide released as NT WorkSafe defends harmonised asbestos laws; WorkSafe investigating crush death; and Emergency eye-wash poster published.
Safe Work Australia and WorkCover NSW have released new harmonisation guides on discriminatory conduct, slips and trips and incident notification. Also in this article, the Northern Territory's new work health and safety laws have commenced for miners.
Workplaces in the five OHS jurisdictions where harmonised safety laws have taken effect are now safer and more productive, according to Federal Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten. But stakeholders continue to squabble over the draft model Codes of Practice.
In a day of mixed fortunes for harmonisation advocates yesterday, the Northern Territory Work Health and Safety Bill passed through Parliament, while the Tasmanian Upper House voted to delay the implementation of its mirror laws for 12 months.
The OHS harmonisation process is well on the way in seven of Australia's nine workplace safety jurisdictions, with the Northern Territory and Tasmania introducing Work Health and Safety Bills to their parliaments.
