Fifteen Australian Codes of Practice Published
Taking the next step in the process of enacting a national work health and safety regulatory scheme, Safe Work Australia opened the comment periods Sept. 26 for draft codes on fall protection, first aid, chemical safety, and more.
Safe Work Australia moved a step closer to full implementation of the country's new work safety and health legislation by releasing 15 model Codes of Practice on Sept. 26 for comments. Comments are due on six of them by Nov. 18 and on the remaining nine by Dec. 16.
The legislation is Australia's first national OSH regulatory scheme.
The draft model codes are:
- First Aid in the Workplace
- Managing Risks in Construction Work
- Preventing Falls in Housing Construction
- Managing Electrical Risks at the Workplace
- Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals
- Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace
- Safe Design of Building and Structures
- Excavation Work
- Demolition Work
- Spray Painting and Powder Coating
- Abrasive Blasting
- Welding and Allied Processes
- Safe Access in Tree Trimming and Arboriculture
- Preventing and Managing Fatigue in the Workplace
- Preventing and Responding to Workplace Bullying
"There are a range of draft Codes of Practice available for comment. These include broad topics including first aid and preventing and responding to workplace bullying. Specific industries like construction, excavation, and demolition work are also covered in these draft Codes of Practice," said Tom Phillips, Safe Work Australia's chairman. "The new model work health and safety laws ensure organizations can comply with one set of laws regardless of the number of states or territories in which they operate. This will ease the burden on business owners operating across the country. The public comment period is a good opportunity for businesses, industry, workers, and the wider community to have their say about work health and safety in Australia."
The public comment period for model work health and safety legislation applying to mining has been extended and will end Oct. 7.