Public comment period on model regulations almost over

WorkSafe WA has urged Western Australian businesses, industry and workers to comment on the model Work Health and Safety Regulations before the public comment period closes.

Acting WorkSafe WA Commissioner Lex McCulloch encouraged Western Australians to have their say on the new safety and health laws before the deadline, stating: “The public comment period has almost reached its final week, so there’s not much time left to take advantage of the opportunity to contribute to new laws designed to keep everyone safe in workplaces.

“Harmonised work safety and health laws will affect workplaces in varying degrees, and it is important that we all provide input during the consultation process to ensure the new laws are relevant to all WA workplaces.

“WA continues to participate in the harmonisation process and will strive to achieve the target of having uniform occupational safety and health legislation in place by the end of the year.”

Model work safety and health laws will ensure organisations can comply with one set of laws regardless of the number of states or territories in which they operate.

“I urge anyone with an interest in occupational safety and health to look at the draft documents and consider submitting comments or suggestions while they have the opportunity,” McCulloch continued. “The more input we have, the more valuable the contribution to the safety and health of all Western Australian workers.”

Documents available for public comment include an exposure draft of the model Work Health and Safety Regulations, priority model Codes of Practice and an Issues Paper. These documents are available on the Safe Work Australia website at www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au. The public comment period closes on 4 April 2011. Submissions can be sent to submissions@safeworkaustralia.gov.au.