Public comment on Western Australia’s WHS legislation now open

Public comment on Western Australia’s WHS legislation now open

Public comment on Western Australia’s WHS legislation now open

The following is an excerpt from a recent press release from WorkSafe WA in regard to the development of new WHS regulations for Western Australia…………

Western Australians are being given the opportunity to contribute to Western Australia’s future WHS system by submitting comment on the model Work Health and Safety Regulations.

WorkSafe WA has conducted its review of the model WHS regulations to identify where they can be modified to minimise prescription and keep the burden of compliance at an acceptable level.  The recommendations in the discussion paper are consistent with this aim.

However, the recommendations are not the settled position of the WA State Government, which will be considered after all submissions are considered.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Lex McCulloch stated recently that the Western Australian version of the national model WHS Act (known as the “Green Bill”) was released for public comment last year, and 50 submissions were received.

“The submissions identified areas of potential improvement, and further modifications have been suggested to Minister for Commerce as a result of the feedback process,” Mr McCulloch said.

“The Act provides the overarching principles of workplace safety laws while the regulations provide the more specific details for the various industries and procedures, and it is the regulations that are now being offered for public consideration.

“The public comment process gives all participants in WA workplaces the opportunity to have input into WA’s WHS regulations.  All submissions will be considered and any necessary modifications will be made.

“After these processes are completed and any necessary Cabinet approval is obtained, the new laws will be introduced into Parliament for consideration and passage.

“Regulations based on the new laws will not be in effect until the new Act is passed and proclaimed, and any necessary interim regulations will be introduced only after a full consultation process.

“Western Australians with an interest in workplace safety are now being given the opportunity to view the discussion paper and the proposed regulations and contribute their opinions on WA’s future laws.”

The public comment period will end on August 31 2016.

To view the Discussion Paper – Work Health and Safety Regulations for Western Australia and find out about the process for making a submission, visit:

www.commerce.wa.gov.au/worksafe/public-comment-work-health-and-safety-regulations.

“I strongly urge anyone with an interest in workplace safety to participate in the public comment process, thereby making a genuine contribution to the future of safety and health in WA workplaces,” Mr McCulloch said.

SOURCE:  WorkSafe WA Newsletter  Date: 1 June 2016

By | 2017-08-16T16:25:11+10:00 June 15th, 2016|Legislation, News, Uncategorized|0 Comments