1 National Harmonisation Overview HAZCON Pty Ltd Health, Safety & Environmental Consultants

2 Have you heard the news? New Work Health and Safety laws will be adopted across Australia and will be in effect as of 1 st January 2012.

3 The New Laws The new laws will include: Work Health and Safety Act Work Health and Safety Regulations National Codes of Practice and guidance material

4 The New Laws In Victoria, these will replace the current: Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007 Compliance Codes

5 The New Laws The new work health and safety laws will: Reduce compliance costs and red tape for employers Maintain a strong work, health and safety framework Keep businesses accountable Make laws easier to understand while protecting workers.

6 The New Laws There will be new definitions: Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) Worker Work Group

7 The New Laws There will be new duties, for example: Duty of Officers to exercise due diligence to ensure PCBU compliance.

8 The New Laws There will be broader consultation requirements, for example: Consult with other PCBU’s Must be extended to all workers.

9 The New Laws New Work Health & Safety Regulations will - Include information on how particular sections of the Act are to be implemented and high risk activities.

10 New National Codes of Practice Managing Risks Consultation Work Environment and Facilities Managing Noise Manual Tasks Confined Spaces Preventing Falls Labelling Hazardous Chemicals Preparing Safety Data Sheets Managing Asbestos Removing Asbestos Construction Facilities

11 New National Codes of Practice More National Codes of Practice will be developed in 2012 and beyond. For example: Machinery and Equipment First Aid

12 Enforcement WorkSafe Victoria will continue to enforce Work Health and Safety legislation in Victoria (no change for other regulators). Maximum penalty for the new category 1 offence of reckless conduct will be $3 million and / or 5 years imprisonment.

13 What should you be doing now? Review current OH&S policies and procedures Allocate resources to revise documents and train workers Talk to the professionals Discuss implications with HSR’s, workers and key partners Keep up to date with legislative changes.

14 What should you be doing now? Attend one of HAZCON’s National Harmonisation Information Sessions. HAZCON are running two information sessions in Melbourne and Gippsland. For more information on these sessions and to RSVP, please go to and click on What’s New.

15 Work Safer Stay Safe and Healthy Contact HAZCON for further information on Health, Safety and Environmental matters HAZCON ( )