Grants to assist transition to new OHS laws

The government has announced grants worth $550,000 to assist small businesses in understanding the new work health and safety laws.

“This is the biggest change to work health and safety laws NSW has ever seen and we need to supply small businesses with the tools they need to adapt to these changes,” said Minister for Finance & Services Greg Pearce. With the new laws starting on 1 January, the government is taking steps to educate businesses through workshops, seminars and other means, and the grants will ensure this continues, he said.

“The $550,000 worth of grants will be available to organisations that can develop and implement training programs that help small businesses understand the new laws and how they impact their workplace.

“The assistance will be provided through the WorkCover Small Business Assistance Grants Program in the first half of next year. Fundamentally, what is safe practice now will continue to be safe under the new arrangements, but there are differences in the application and detail of the laws and it is important individual workplaces understand their rights and obligations.

The government will commence rollout of the training programs in early 2012 and a range of resources will be available to assist successful applicants in delivering their training programs. The government is encouraging all interested parties to visit www.workcover.nsw.gov.au and download the Small Business Assistance Grants application form and guidelines. Applications for the grants close at 4.30 pm on Monday 30 January 2012.