Northern Territory approves three new Codes of Practice

Under the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011, three new Codes of Practice have been approved in the Northern Territory.

For employers and other duty holders, including workers, Codes of Practice provide practical guidance on how to manage health and safety risks.

The three new approved Codes of Practice are:

• Managing risks of respirable crystalline silica in the workplace;
• Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry; and
• Managing the risk of fatigue at work.
   

“Approved Codes of Practice provide valuable practical guidance to assist businesses manage particular risks that apply at the workplace,” said Grant Hastie, the Northern Territory’s Work Health and Safety Regulator.

“Where a risk exists at your workplace, review your work practices against the relevant code and address any identified gaps or deficiencies in risk control measures.

“Further, Codes can be used in court as evidence to show what is understood about a hazard and how to control it. Courts may use them to decide what actions are considered ‘reasonably practical’ in a situation.

“So, following a Code of Practice can help employers and other duty holders meet their legal work health and safety obligations.”

Approved NT Codes of Practice can be found here, via the NT WorkSafe website.

Image credit: iStock.com/Johnce. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.