Browsing: WHS Harmonisation (WA) | Page 7

Five jurisdictions will be ready to enact a harmonised Work Health and Safety Act by the end of the month, and three further model Codes of Practice have been endorsed, according to a communiqué on Safe Work Australia's latest members meeting.

Employers in Victoria, Western Australia and any other jurisdiction that delays the implementation of harmonised OHS laws could still be obliged to comply with elements of the new legislation from January 2012, an OHS lawyer has warned.

Commonwealth passes harmonisation Bill; Police to "think twice" after workers' comp changes progress; New alert issued on OHS scams; and Employers plead guilty after guarding failure and truck fire.

Workplace Relations Minister Chris Evans has announced that businesses in some sectors will be able to delay complying with the harmonised WHS Regulations for 12 months, in a move that has been cheered - somewhat ironically - by the Federal Opposition.

Western Australia claims to have gained an ally in NSW in its push to delay the Work Health and Safety Act, and the Federal Government has conceded that the "deadlines are getting tight", in yet another troubled week for the harmonisation process.

Western Australian Government's "ridiculous" claim putting workers at risk; WA appoints 27 new safety inspectors, cuts age tests for licences; and Warning issued after worker falls to death through unguarded floor.

Western Australia almost certain to delay adoption of model safety laws; and New safety publications released.

Higher OHS fines demanded after Rio Tinto death; and Workers' Memorial design competition opens.

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.

Industrial manslaughter laws unlikely for Western Australia; and Western Australian workers' comp premiums to rise.