Australian Workers Can Have Their Say on Workplace Regulations

Have your say on new work health and safety regulations…

Tom Phillips, Safe Work Australia chair, recently announced the second phase of public consultation on the model work health and safety laws. (WCxKit)

Safe Work Australia will release the draft model Work Health and Safety Regulations and priority model Codes of Practice for public comment in December 2010 for four months.

Safe Work Australia is the national body developing model work health and safety laws with the aim of achieving the best possible approach to health and safety for all Australian workplaces. Safe Work Australia works in partnership with the Commonwealth, state and territory governments to deliver harmonized work health and safety laws across Australia by the end of December 2011.

The Model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act was endorsed by the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council in December 2009. To support the model WHS Act, Safe Work Australia has developed an exposure draft of the model Work Health and Safety Regulations, priority model Codes of Practice, a Discussion Paper and Consultation Regulatory Impact Statement to be released for public comment. The public comment period will close in April 2011.

Phillips said the public comment period will provide an opportunity for individuals and organizations to participate in the development of the model Work Health and Safety Regulations and priority model Codes of Practice and ensure their voice is heard.

"We need your views to ensure the model Work Health and Safety Regulations and priority model Codes of Practice are relevant to all Australian workplaces,” Phillips commented. "Model work health and safety laws will allow organizations to effectively manage workplace safety and work to one set of laws regardless of how many states or territories they are operating in. (WCxKit)

"This will increase profitability and productivity and most importantly, lead to improved safety for workers and greater certainty for employers," said Mr. Phillips.

Public submissions can be sent to submissions@safeworkaustralia.gov.au.

Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers Compensation costs, including airlines, healthcare, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. Contact: Info@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.

WORK COMP CALCULATOR: http://www.LowerWC.com/calculator.php

MODIFIED DUTY CALCULATOR: http://www.LowerWC.com/transitional-duty-cost-calculator.php

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Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker or agent about workers comp issues.