Public submissions into national review received
Harmonising Australia’s OHS laws moves a step closer as the National Review Panel begins reviewing the 242 submissions it received from around the country. This panel is charged with presenting recommendations to the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council on the structure and content of a single OHS act used in all jurisdictions.
All states and territories have a broadly similar approach to ensuring safer workplaces: legislation, programs of education and advice to explain this regulation, and an inspectorate to ensure compliance with it.
The new model OHS act will change existing legislation, education and enforcement activities.
It is hoped that employers, workers and others will have greater certainty about their OHS responsibilities, and compliance costs will be reduced for business.
The national review will also examine the role of OHS regulators in providing advice and assistance to employers, workers and others to make workplaces safer. It will also look at the role and powers of OHS inspectors, and enforcement tools such as infringement notices.
One important aspect of introducing a single piece of OHS legislation is ensuring consistency in the way it would be monitored and enforced across jurisdictions; so the resourcing implications for all levels of government in administering these harmonised laws will also be considered by the national review.