371 articles are classified in All Articles > Legislation, regulation and caselaw > Workplace safety legislation, regulations, standards and codes > National/Commonwealth
A new WHS Code of Practice has provided PCBUs with clear guidance on their duties to consult with workers, health and safety representatives and other businesses in a COVID-19 context. Meanwhile, Comcare has produced a "micro-learn" video on using face masks at work in the pandemic.
> "Workforce bubbles" flagged for Vic's "COVIDSafe reopening"; > SWA releases guides to impending GHS 7 transition; and > New legislation targets Defence Force suicides.
> COVID-19 and silica updates from NSW, Vic, WA and SWA; > Manslaughter laws come with broader definition of workplace death; and > Inventory overhauled for new risk-based chemical safety system.
> HSE adviser allegedly unlawfully snubbed by official; > New WHS Code of Practice commences in NSW; > Two more jurisdictions halve workplace silica threshold; and > Draft national safety guidelines for asbestos-cement pipes released.
In a significant development, given the recent safety scandals involving the importation and use of asbestos-containing materials, the model WHS Act has been amended to make it mandatory for regulators to issue notices when they believe "prohibited asbestos" is present at a workplace, with maximum fines of $500,000 for those that fail to comply with a notice.
The national inquiry into workplace s-xual harassment has recommended the model WHS laws be amended to control psychosocial risks, in line with the Boland review, and that a WHS Code of Practice on s-xual harassment be developed.
> Workplace bullying-related injury costs creeping up; > Draft guide restricts WHS undertakings with Comcare; and > Australian Standards for cranes and loading ramps released for comment.
> New WHS fines, bans and threshold for silica confirmed in NSW; > SWA releases 30 new work health monitoring guides; and > New on-the-spot fines for rest-break breaches introduced.
Exclusion sanctions imposed on businesses that commit WHS breaches could be extended under a Federal Government plan to improve the safety and efficiency of the building industry.
