Changes in Two Important WHS Codes of Practice Updated by SafeWork NSW
You may have been wondering what changes were made in the 23 updated WHS Codes of Practice that SafeWork NSW released on the 30th of August. We have not had the time to check all 23 Codes to see what is different but we did manage to check 2 of the most important Codes, the;
Consultation, Co-ordination, and Co-operation Code of Practice, and
How to Manage Work Health & Safety Risks Code of Practice.
The major changes we found are set out below. SafeWork NSW is encouraging all businesses and employers to review the updated Codes to stay up to date with current best practice. Same or Similar Changes Both of these codes have changes that are the same or similar. These are:
a new two-page Glossary of WHS words
an Amendment notice that the amendments include those that were made in 2017 as part of a technical and usability review of the model Code
a new improved presentation and layout of text, images, and diagrams that improves readability and digestion of the content of the Code.
Specific Changes to the How to Manage WHS Risks Code
Figure 1 the risk management process, has the same data but the design of the diagram has been amended slightly – see page 8
The table of Examples of Common Hazards now has 3 columns instead of 2 - the data is the same but it is easier to absorb the data – see page 11
The visual presentation of Figure 2 the hierarchy of control measures, has been amended but the data has not been changed – see page 19
A new heading and paragraph of text on Maintenance, has been added to the Code – see page 22
A new sentence has been added that indicates where more information can be found about Plant – see page 23
There are now 3 examples of the risk management process instead of just 2 examples – see Example 3 on page 34.
This updated Code now has 40 pages instead of the 30 pages in the previous Code primarily because the updated Code has been given more space for the layout of the content.
Specific Changes to the Consultation, Cooperation & Coordination Code
New content about WHS Act section 54, failure of negotiations has been added - see page 20
Appendix D – Consultation checklist, is now spaced in a manner that makes it easier to use as a checklist – see page 37
New content on consultation requirements have been added as, Appendix E – Consultation Requirements in the WHS Regulation – see page 39
This updated Code now has 42 pages instead of the 27 pages in the previous Code because of additional content and more space given to layout of the content.
You can access all the updated Codes on Safework NSW’s website by copy/pasting into your browser https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/resource-library/list-of-all-codes-of-practice
10th September 2019