DYS Issue 62 - August 2018
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SafeWork NSW: Building and Construction Sector Plan to 2022 $80 billion will be spent on NSW infrastructure over the next four years and the construction industry will employ 400,000 people by 2022. SafeWork NSW has launched a new plan, the Building and Construction Sector Plan to 2022, to reduce deaths and accidents in the NSW construction industry. The Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said, … “it’s really important worksites are up to scratch, and meet Australia’s strict safety standards”... “over 46 per cent are major claims, indicating that construction workers are far more likely to suffer significant injuries than those in other industries”. To see the detailed 8 page plan you could copy/paste this Safe Work url into your browser. www.safework.nsw.gov.au/media/publications/health-and-safety/construction/building-and-construction-sector-plan Safe Work Australia: Review of the Model WHS Laws - Public Consultation Summary The Public Consultation Summary has just been released. It identifies the key topics, and a summary of the issues and views expressed, during the public consultation process for the 2018 review of the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws. The topics covered in the summary make very interesting reading.
The topics are: 1. Legislative Framework, 2. Duties of Care, 3. Consultation, Representation and Participation, 4. Compliance and Enforcement, 5. National Compliance and Enforcement Policy, 6. Prosecutions and Legal Proceedings
The review report will be finalised and delivered to Safe Work Australia by the end of 2018 year and sent to WHS Ministers in early 2019. You can download the Public Consultation Summary from Safe Work Australia’s website HERE Comprehensive Changes to WHS at Carnivals and Theme Parks The on-going coronial inquest into the four deaths on Dreamworld’s Thunder River Rapids ride commenced on the 25th June 2018 to hear evidence for the purpose of determining the cause and circumstances of these deaths. Our July WHS article, Tragic Lessons in Work Health & Safety, covered major elements of that evidence which indicated possible deficiencies in “reasonably practicable” actions required under WHS law.
Now, thanks to the ABC's 7.30 program application under right to information laws, we now know that the Qld Office of Industrial Relations could not locate any documents about Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) inspectors reviewing the Thunder River Rapids Ride. It would appear that the Thunder River Rapids Ride was not inspected, reviewed or audited by Qld safety inspectors in almost 7 years prior to the fatal accident in 2016. That situation has changed dramatically since the fatal accident at Dreamworld. In the past 2 years, WHS Qld has completed 1,045 assessments of amusement devices at major shows, carnivals and theme parks, including two extensive audits of the Queensland’s six major theme parks in late 2016 and late 2017.
And on the 2nd of August 2018, the Qld Industrial Relations Minister announced proposed regulatory changes that centre around four key areas:
Mandatory requirements for ride operators to be fully-trained and competent
Mandatory major inspections of all amusement and theme park rides
Major theme parks to develop and implement a comprehensive and integrated safety management system
Additional record keeping through detailed log books.
“Mandatory training and competency requirements will mean every amusement and theme park ride in Queensland will be operated by a person who has been properly trained and assessed as competent,” Ms Grace said. Read more HERE Updated National Guide - Classifying Hazardous Chemicals This Guide was updated on 16/8/2018 and replaces the original Guide published on the 26/4/2012. It contains practical information and examples and was developed from feedback from businesses and consultation industry groups, unions and WHS regulators.
The Guide is intended for manufacturers and importers of substances, mixtures and articles who have a duty under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act and Regulations to classify them. It may also be useful for suppliers, persons undertaking business and undertakings, workers and other persons involved with hazardous chemicals. You can download the Guide from Safe Work Australia HERE
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This publication provides general information about WHS. It is not a legal opinion and does not represent a comprehensive statement of the law to be applied to a particular problem.
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