New South Wales
Independent Investigation into loose Fill Asbestos
The Heads of Asbestos Coordination Authorities (HACA) has engaged PriceWaterhouseCoopers to conduct an independent investigation into loose-fill asbestos in New South Wales, and is providing free ceiling insulation testing to identify the full extent of affected homes across the State. Residents who are in homes built before 1980 can register www.nsw.gov.au/loosefillasbestos or call Service NSW on 13 77 88 for more details.
Changes to Dangerous Goods Notifications
As of 1 January 2015, NSW businesses storing or handling Dangerous Goods will only have to notify WorkCover NSW once, and only make further notifications if there are any significant changes to dangerous goods they store or handle.
Previously businesses were required to lodge an annual notification, but these notifications will fall under Schedule 11 of the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulation and be known as ‘hazardous chemicals’ notifications. Workcover NSW has issued a new publication ‘Guidance material – Notifications for Schedule 11 hazardous chemicals and abandoned tanks’ to assist businesses with the new arrangements, this is available for download from www.workcover.nsw.gov.au.
Northern Territory
Workers Compensation Claimant Satisfaction Survey 2013-14
NT WorkSafe commissions the claimant satisfaction survey each year to seek feedback from workers who make a workers compensation claim. Insurance companies are provided a detailed analysis of their performance, as rated by the survey participants.
The purpose of the survey is to assist insurers to identify areas for improvement to better meet the expectations of injured workers. The current survey covers workers who made a compensation claim, involving five or more days off work, between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2013. And is available from the NT Worksafe website.
Queensland
QLD Creates a One-stop shop for Workers’ Compensation and Safety
The QLD Government has launched a new combined safety and workers’ compensation website to provide Queensland employers and workers with a single access point for injury prevention and workers’ compensation information and services.
The new website incorporates Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, WorkCover Queensland, the Electrical Safety Office and the former Q-COMP websites available at www.worksafe.qld.gov.au. There is also a new phone number for the agency 1300 362 128.
South Australia
Transitional Arrangements
Safework SA has released a document called ‘WHS Transitional Arrangements’ outlining the two new regulations that commenced (Regulation 488 and Regulation 675W) and five transitional provisions (Regulation 724(7) and (8), 727, 728, 729, 731) that have expired on the 1 January 2015 in the areas of asbestos, mining, plant and structures, and high risk work. The document is available for download from www.safework.sa.gov.au.
Tasmania
Changes to WHS Regulations
On 24 December 2014, the following changes to Tasmania’s [popover title=”” title_bg_color=”” content=”Work Health Safety” content_bg_color=”” bordercolor=”” textcolor=”” trigger=”hover” placement=”” class=”” id=””]WHS[/popover]laws came into effect. The changes relate to protective structures on earth moving machinery, prefabricated formwork to be design registered and requirements for diving work.
Miscellaneous amendments include issues relating high risk work licences, major inspections, amusement devices and registration requirements for plant designs. Full details are available on the Worksafe Tasmania website.
Western Australia
Call For Public Comment on New OSH Laws WorkSafe WA has given members of the public opportunity to comment on the draft Work Health and Safety Bill 2014.
“I strongly urge anyone with an interest in workplace safety to participate in the public comment process closing on January 30, 2015, thereby making a genuine contribution to the future of safety and health in WA workplaces” the WorkSafe WA Commissioner Lex McCulloch said.
The public comment period closes on January 30, 2015.