Safe Work Australia releases a revised code of practice on construction, and guides to workplace bullying and fatigue

Thursday, 28 November, 2013

Safe Work Australia has released a revised model code of practice on construction work and guidance on workplace bullying and fatigue.

Construction code of practice

The model Code of Practice: Construction Work is a revised version of the code of practice previously published by Safe Work Australia in July 2012.

This model code has been amended to provide additional guidance for the housing construction sector.

This model code is intended to be the first point of reference for a person carrying out any type of construction work. It covers information on the requirements relating to construction work under the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations (such as work health and safety management plans and induction training) as well as guidance on the main hazards and risks in the construction industry.

For ease of reference, amendments made to the original model Code of Practice: Construction Work are set out in a table at the end of the code.

Workplace bullying guides and FAQs

Following an extensive consultation and review process, Safe Work Australia converted the draft Code of Practice: Preventing and Responding to Workplace Bullying into a Guide for Preventing and Responding to Workplace Bullying. It has been released together with Dealing with Workplace Bullying - A Worker’s Guide and a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) on workplace bullying. The guides on workplace bullying focus on the duty to manage risks under work health and safety laws and provide advice to businesses and workers on how to prevent workplace bullying and how to respond if it does occur.

The guides and FAQs will be reviewed to account for developments in relation to workplace bullying, including any significant decisions of the Fair Work Commission.

Managing the risk of fatigue at work

Managing the Risk of Fatigue at Work and Fatigue Management - A Worker’s Guide provides guidance for persons conducting a business or undertaking and other duty holders on how to manage fatigue in the workplace.