The Tasmanian Government will consider strengthening its mirror WHS Act, or developing stand-alone legislation, to improve the health and safety of workers under the age of 19, according to a review of the State's child-labour laws.
Western Australia commits to OHS harmonisation in State budget; NSW shift caps retained under national rail safety laws; New harmonisation guide released for Tasmanian miners; and Northern Territory high-risk licences about to expire.
As Tasmania locks in 1 January 2013 for the commencement of its mirror Work Health and Safety Act, employers in all harmonised jurisdictions have been urged to plug their "compliance gaps".
Tasmanian employers that believe they haven't been given enough time to come to grips with harmonised safety laws have been assured - by the State Government - that the new legislation is unlikely to take effect in July this year.
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.
Tasmania sets date for WHS Act, slams Opposition's "sloppy" Bill; Work-related deaths fall in May; and Applications for Tasmania's $80K work health and safety grants close soon.
The draft model Work Health and Safety Regulations and Codes of Practice for mining have been released for public comment, but "harmonisation" appears to be a long way off for this sector, with at least four jurisdictions looking to introduce their own laws.
