Published Monday, 26 November, 2007 at 01:12 PM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Queensland Government committed to safer workplaces
The State Government is seeking comment to update the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation which aims for consistency with national standards of workplace health and safety, Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel announced today.
A Regulatory Impact Statement has been released to gather comment about the proposed changes until the end of February 2008.
Mr Mickel said Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is reviewing only those parts of the Regulation that have not been reviewed in the past 10 years and are not part of a nationally agreed position on enforcement.
“Minimal changes are proposed to the current Regulation and I don’t anticipate there will be any additional burden to businesses when the proposed new Regulation is made next year,” he said.
“The Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 1997 has been reviewed and amended many times over the past 10 years as a result of technical developments, changes in work practices or to implement national standards.
“Other parts are also currently under review at a national level, following the agreement by all states and territories to create consistency in workplace health and safety legislation.”
“The Queensland Government is committed to the national harmonisation of workplace health and safety laws,” Mr Mickel said.
The parts of the Regulation that are proposed for specific public consultation are:
• Part 4 – containing provisions on applying for a certificate to be appointed as a Workplace Health and Safety Officer
• Part 7 – reporting of injuries, illnesses and dangerous events to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland
• Part 12A – conducting recreational diving.
It is proposed that the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008 will come into effect on 1 September 2008.
Copies of the Regulatory Impact Statement are available online at www.deir.qld.gov.au or by calling 1300 369 915.
Media contact: Chris Brown (07) 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir 3235 4060
November 26, 2007
A Regulatory Impact Statement has been released to gather comment about the proposed changes until the end of February 2008.
Mr Mickel said Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is reviewing only those parts of the Regulation that have not been reviewed in the past 10 years and are not part of a nationally agreed position on enforcement.
“Minimal changes are proposed to the current Regulation and I don’t anticipate there will be any additional burden to businesses when the proposed new Regulation is made next year,” he said.
“The Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 1997 has been reviewed and amended many times over the past 10 years as a result of technical developments, changes in work practices or to implement national standards.
“Other parts are also currently under review at a national level, following the agreement by all states and territories to create consistency in workplace health and safety legislation.”
“The Queensland Government is committed to the national harmonisation of workplace health and safety laws,” Mr Mickel said.
The parts of the Regulation that are proposed for specific public consultation are:
• Part 4 – containing provisions on applying for a certificate to be appointed as a Workplace Health and Safety Officer
• Part 7 – reporting of injuries, illnesses and dangerous events to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland
• Part 12A – conducting recreational diving.
It is proposed that the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008 will come into effect on 1 September 2008.
Copies of the Regulatory Impact Statement are available online at www.deir.qld.gov.au or by calling 1300 369 915.
Media contact: Chris Brown (07) 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir 3235 4060
November 26, 2007