Browsing: WHS legislation, regulations, standards and codes (National) | Page 7

The Federal Government has committed to ratifying a global convention against work-related violence and harassment, in a move that is expected to have a practical impact on Australian workplaces and compel employers and legislators to increase safety standards and requirements.

The model Work Health and Safety Regulations could be amended to remove the "encompassment" of high-risk work licences for cranes, with Safe Work Australia members agreeing to advance changes proposed through a feedback process.

• Chemicals alert issued with GHS transition period expiring;
  
• New WHS dust regulations further amended in ACT;
  
• Controversial ACT COVID notice followed by WHS amendment; and
  
• RTW guide highlights "the most important relationship".

S-xual harassment committed in "connection with work" will be expressly prohibited under the Fair Work regime, while building productivity laws will re-focus on WHS outcomes, under two of many changes in a major Bill. Meanwhile, new domestic violence leave entitlements have passed Parliament.

• New WHS Code made under Commonwealth jurisdiction;
  
• Frontline workers protected by lengthy jail terms in NSW;
  
• Dust compensation changes commence in NSW; and
  
• WHS notification rules for lead (Pb) tweaked in SA.

• Model WHS changes flagged for hazardous facilities; and
  
• Your workplace's noise could be more hazardous than you think.

• Road death attracts plant-supply charge and fine; and
  
• Exposure limit for coal dust halved under model WHS laws.

The National Cabinet's decision to scrap mandatory isolation requirements for COVID-19 cases will help businesses maintain or increase workforce numbers, but will also require them to maintain stringent health and safety practices to stop the spread of the coronavirus, according to peak employer bodies.

Legislation prohibiting conduct creating "hostile" workplace environments, and imposing a positive duty on employers to prevent s-xual harassment, has been introduced by the Federal Government.

• SWA finalises model WHS Code on psychosocial hazards;
  
• OHS Code on tackling language barriers released in Vic; and
  
• Silica advice and revised WHS Codes issued in ACT.