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The Occupational Health and Safety (Safety Standards) Amendment Regulations 2008 (No. 1), which commences on 9 October 2008, updates Part 2 of the Occupational Health and Safety (Safety Standards) Regulations 1994 to implement the National Standard for Licensing Persons Performing High Risk Work by:

• updating terminology to refer to licensing instead of certification
• updating the occupations referred to as ‘high risk work’
• recognising State and Territory licences issued to perform high risk work
• imposing a specific duty on employers not to permit a person to undertake high risk work in the absence of appropriate licences
• imposing a duty on employers to provide an employee or contractor with training, instruction and information on the equipment operation, hazards, risks and control measures
• imposing specific duties on employers with regard to the employees undertaking high risk work while undergoing training
• enabling Comcare to make a recommendation to a State or Territory authority for the cancellation of a licence to perform high risk work

The regulations also clarify that certain State and Territory occupational health and safety laws relating to licensing high risk work are preserved to ensure that State and Territory licences and certificates to perform high risk work are recognised under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 and Regulations.

For further information contact Astrid Jeffress on 1300 366 979 or by email: OHS.policy@comcare.gov.au

Or

• Occupational Health and Safety pages.
• The Regulations may be accessed via the Comlaw website.

Almost 90 health and safety representatives (HSRs) in the Commonwealth jurisdiction have completed Comcare’s online questionnaire since its release four days ago.

The feedback so far has already given Comcare valuable information into the challenges and issues HSRs face in improving health and safety in the workplace.

HSRs have until 9 September 2008 to complete the questionnaire. For information about the questionnaire please call Tomos Reaburn on 1300 366 979.