Occupational Health and Safety

Approved Assessors for major hazard facilities

Comcare has completed the assessment of the recent round of applicants to be Approved Assessors for major hazard facilities. A register of Approved Assessors is now available.

Comcare will accept applications to be an Approved Assessor on an ongoing basis. Comcare invites organisations, individuals and statutory authorities with the relevant qualifications and experience to submit an application.

New Fact Sheet on the Safe Use of Lifts

The purpose of the new fact sheet on Safe Use of Lifts is to assist employers who have control of lifts to understand their responsibilities under the Commonwealth occupational health and safety legislative framework.

Proposed Review of Regulations on Confined Spaces - Comments due 17 October 2008

Comcare is seeking comments from stakeholders on a proposed review of Part 7 – ‘Confined Spaces' of the Occupational Health and Safety (Safety Standards) Regulations 1994.

Proposed New Provisions for Asbestos Removal - Comments due 2 October 2008

Comcare is seeking comments on the proposed regulatory amendments to Part 6 of the Occupational Health and Safety (Safety Standards) Regulations 1994. These proposed amendments will regulate the removal and disposal of asbestos and implement, in part, the National Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos.

Proposed Guidance on Consultation on Health and Safety - Comments due 8 October 2008

Comcare is seeking comments from stakeholders on proposed guidance for employers. The guidance aims to clarify employer responsibilities in regard to consulting with employees and/or their representatives on health and safety matters. The draft guidance provides advice in relation to when consultation is required uder the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 and sets out what the Commission believes consultation is and what it involves.

Health and Safety Management Arrangements (HSMAs)

Employers are required to develop written HSMAs in consultation with their employees under the OHS Act. HSMAs need to be completed by 15 September 2008.

New OHS Code 2008

The Occupational Health and Safety Code of Practice 2008 (the OHS Code 2008) has been approved under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991, effective from 12 June 2008. The new code provides comprehensive guidance on health and safety management across a range of organisations and industries.

Commission Guidance to Employers on Health and Safety Representative Training

On 19 March 2008 the Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission (the Commission) agreed to issue guidance to employers on their responsibilities in regard to the attendance of health and safety representatives (HSRs) at a HSR training course accredited by the Commission.

HSRs have a critical role to play in the achievement of safe workplaces and the Commission believes that central to HSRs performing their roles and functions is that employers aim to ensure that HSRs are trained appropriately so that they are able to perform their role as a HSR effectively. The guidance covers a number of issues including the meeting of costs associated with training, timeframes for training; training preferences of HSRs; the training of deputy HSRs; and, refresher training.

The guidance was finalised after consultation with employers, unions and currently accredited HSR training providers.

Introduction to the OHS Regulatory Framework

The information contained in this package has been developed to provide organisations with an introduction to the Occupational Health and Safety regulatory framework administered by Comcare within the Commonwealth jurisdiction.

A Practical Guide to the OHS Regulatory Framework

This guidance aims to provide employers, HSRs and others with a practical overview of the Occupational Health and Safety regulatory framework including duty of care provisions and the legal status of the framework.

Important changes to the Commonwealth OHS regulatory framework

These changes aim to improve the health and safety of employees in the Commonwealth jurisdiction. This information outlines the most significant changes and provides links to further information.