The Ministerial Advisory Panel has just released their recommendations for new Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Bill. Western Australians can have their say on the matter at information sessions throughout July.
The new WHS laws will cover all workplaces in Western Australia including a focus on mines, petroleum and general workplaces, with specific regulations for each industry sector based on national model WHS laws. This time last year Commerce and Industrial Relations Minister Bill Johnston formed a Ministerial Advisory Panel to advise on the development of a new and improved WHS Act, based on the national model WHS Act.
The development of the new Bill will involve extensive consultation with stakeholders and the community, prior to expected introduction to State Parliament in mid-2019. The WA government is encouraging Western Australians to attend the ‘Modernising Work Health and Safety laws’ information sessions throughout July, which will be held in Joondalup, Perth, Katanning, Albany and Bunbury. Additional sessions will be conducted in Karratha, Port Hedland, Kalgoorlie, Geraldton, Broome and Mandurah with venues and dates to be announced shortly.
“I encourage the community to have their say on the modernisation of WA’s Work Health and Safety laws, which is long overdue,” announced Commerce and Industrial Relations Minister Bill Johnston over the weekend.
“Our state’s occupational, health and safety legislation is 30 years old and outdated,” he commented.
The new Bill is set to strengthen the national harmonisation of laws and facilitate a consistent approach to health and safety within the workplace.
Here are the dates for the ‘Modernising Work Health and Safety Law’ information sessions:
Wednesday 4 July 2018 – Joondalup
Friday 6 July 2018 – Perth CBD (2 sessions)
Thursday 12 July 2018 – Katanning
Friday 13 July 2018 – Albany
Monday 16 July 2018 – Bunbury
Thursday 19th July 2018 – Karratha
Tuesday 24th July 2018 – South Hedland
Thursday 26th July 2018 – Kalgoorlie
Monday 30th July 2018 – Geraldton
Wednesday 1st August – Broome
Wednesday 8 August 2018 – Perth CBD
The public consultation period closes on August 31, 2018.
More information on the sessions can be found here: http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au