As of January 1, 2012, the Australian government implemented new OH&S regulations with the aim of harmonizing legal requirements across the country. Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory are currently operating under the new ‘Occupational Health and Safety’ system.
The previous lack of standardization proved problematic and the current consistency now allows employers to gain a deep understanding of their legal obligations through security training, better ensuring that employee rights are paramount. Employers also have a better understanding of their rights and expectations.
In response to the new laws, the Australian Council of Trade Unions has launched its national ‘Speak Up’ campaign. The campaign is designed to empower employees to know their rights and have the confidence to speak up for OH&S issues with the primary goal of reducing workplace deaths, injuries and illnesses.
The campaign states that all workers must:
- Have the option to deny an unsafe work assignment
- Know all the safety risks involved in your job.
- Have access to a qualified safety officer to represent any occupational health and safety issues
- Generally have an acceptable work environment
To ensure compliance with these requirements, those responsible for safety must comply with the legislation, know how to identify hazards and assess and control risks to health and safety at work. With OH&S training being one of the most important facets of business today, these laws will affect a wide variety of industries across the country.
The new harmonization of occupational health and safety laws introduced on January 1, 2012 brings significant changes that workplaces should be aware of.
- Although the model is labeled as a ‘Framework’, each state will be governed by separate legislation that mimics that framework.
- Individual fines are up to $600,000 or 5 years in prison
- Company officers have due diligence requirements
- Company officials have a positive to prevent security risk
- Volunteers are now immune
- Fines increase to 3 million for corporate crimes
- Obligations are imposed on individuals conducting business rather than employers. (small businesses and organizations are including)
- The Law makes the obligations towards the duties of contractors clearer, referring to workers instead of employees
- All customers and visitors to workplaces have duties
- Consultation among all workers rather than employees is required
With qualified security officers in high demand, now is a better time than ever to learn about completing an OH&S certificate or diploma.
For more information on this, see the OHS Workplace Safety and Management website for more information.