Browsing: WHS Harmonisation (QLD) | Page 7

The Queensland Government has been warned against using the results of a short small-business survey to justify the "watering down" of its mirror WHS Act, with unions urging the State to instead expand a program that focuses on employers with poor safety records.

The Queensland Government has launched a 15-question survey for small businesses that it says will help determine whether the State's mirror WHS Act should be amended.

Harmonised WHS Acts have commenced in South Australia and Tasmania, while in other jurisdictions new Codes of Practice have taken effect, and some transitional arrangements have expired or been extended.

Mirror WHS Acts take effect in South Australia and Tasmania in less than two weeks. In this article, OHS Alert points SA and Tas readers to the resources they need to prepare for the new laws, and looks at the ongoing transitional arrangements in other jurisdictions.

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.

Queensland's mirror WHS Act could be amended to allow safer employers to pay lower workers' comp premiums or drop into a lower WHS penalty band, according to a workers' compensation and safety lawyer.

The Queensland Government will consider introducing performance-based OHS laws, under a plan to reduce the "regulatory burden" on businesses by 20 per cent within six years.

Queensland's mirror WHS Act could be significantly amended to remove subcontractors from the definition of "worker", and limit union entry rights, under a roundtable plan to reduce the "cost burdens" on employers.

Height fine prompts call for WHS Regulation compliance; WorkSafe Victoria appoints CEO and investigates injury; NSW releases industry action plans, new capacity form and asbestos alert; Tasmania launches "practical" OHS strategy; and WorkCover WA clarifies position on contractual indemnities.

Lack of basic planning linked to falls and OHS fines; and Queensland WHS Act not affected by director-liability reforms.