Every week in Australian workplaces, four people are killed, and thousands more are seriously injured, in incidents that are entirely preventable.
In 2018, Safe Work Australia appointed Ms Marie Boland to review the content and operation of the model work health and safety laws. The Review of the model WHS laws: Final report was provided to work health and safety ministers in December 2018.
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is calling on the Commonwealth and State and Territory Governments to adopt all 34 recommendations of the Review. These recommendations can be viewed in detail in the Review Report (page 12) discussed in more detail in the Consultation RIS, and include:
- introducing regulations dealing with psychological health
- new arrangements for health and safety representatives (HSR) and work groups in small businesses
- clarifying workplace entry of HSR assistants and WHS entry permit holders
- providing HSRs with choice of training course
- providing a process for resolving disputes about WHS issues
- including gross negligence as an element of the Category 1 offence, and
- introducing an industrial manslaughter offence.
Safe Work Australia is seeking feedback on the recommendations as part of a consultation process that closes on 5 August.
Share your thoughts in this work health and safety survey to help the ACTU capture data in support of the recommendations. Help us fight for improved workplace laws and safer workplaces.
The survey will only take a few minutes to complete, and the information you provide will be invaluable. Please encourage your colleagues, friends and family members to participate too.
