Browsing: WHS legislation, regulations, standards and codes (QLD) | Page 19

A Parliamentary Committee recommends passing Queensland's WHS Amendment Bill, which aims to make regulators the "first port of call" for workers with safety concerns by reducing the powers of HSRs and unions, but it says employers will have to pay for additional inspectors.

PCBUs told to assess fall risks from all heights; and Comcare prosecuting Transpacific for second time in three months.

An employer has been found guilty of breaching Queensland's mirror WHS Act in a case, according to a leading safety lawyer, that demonstrates how important it is for companies to challenge questionable prohibition or improvement notices.

Queensland health and safety reps will be forbidden from halting unsafe work, unions will be hobbled by tighter entry rules, and maximum fines for electrical safety breaches will be 650 per cent higher, under a Bill introduced to the Queensland Parliament yesterday.

New Queensland electrical safety laws and South Australian WHS Regulations take effect in the coming weeks, while Safe Work Australia has released two more draft model Codes of Practice.

Five model WHS Codes of Practice released for approval; and Eight model Codes take effect in Queensland.

Many workers will be reluctant to speak up about safety issues for fear of reprisal if Safe Work Australia accepts Queensland's proposed changes to right-of-entry laws, according to the ACTU.

Queensland has confirmed that a host of transitional arrangements for its mirror WHS Regulation will be extended by 12 months, while two model Codes of Practice will take effect in less than two weeks.

Queensland's OHS regulator has been advised by the Coroner to introduce safety regulations for the hazardous house-removal industry within a year, after a young worker was fatally crushed beneath a house on his second day on the job.

WHS transitional arrangements that are due to expire at the end of the year in Queensland are likely to be extended by 12 months, while the State Government is set to approve eight model Codes of Practice.