Browsing: Workplace safety legislation, regulations, standards and codes | Page 91

New safety laws have taken effect in most jurisdictions this month, while some planned regulations have been scrapped.

• WHS changes affect NSW dangerous goods users from 1 January; and
  
• NSW told to protect workers from "Mr Fluffy" buildings.

A parliamentary committee has applauded the NSW Government's "positive response" to its inquiry into WorkCover's notorious bullying culture, but raised concerns over the lack of progress on proposed anti-bullying legislation.

WorkCover NSW's decision to allow a health and safety representative to choose his own training provider has set a precedent that will save lives, according to the Transport Workers Union.

NSW's harmonised WHS laws for the mining sector will commence on 1 February 2015, with the accompanying regulations being made and published last week.

• Two more model WHS Codes replaced by guidance material;
  
• Qld promises presumptive cancer compensation for firefighters; and
  
• SA transitioning away from Workers Compensation Tribunal.

Western Australia will retain a separate dangerous goods safety Act after it introduces mirror WHS laws, but will consolidate its six sets of dangerous goods regulations into an "omnibus" package, the State Government has announced.

An employer has been fined for failing to ensure a first-year apprentice, who was injured when an oil drum exploded, was aware of the dangers of using an angle grinder around solvents.

Victoria's new Labor Government will review the State OHS Act and the WorkCover Authority's enforcement policies, while the Federal Government's Comcare Bill will face a hostile Senate after passing through the Lower House.

• Safe Rates Tribunal targets six new sectors;
  
• Government releases revised construction code; and
  
• ACT releases guidance on construction inductions and SWMSs.