(Legislative Changes - Work Health and Safety Act 2011) - The Work Health Safety (WHS) Act came into effect on January 1, 2012. This means organisations across most of Australia will be required to align their OHS policies and procedures to ensure compliance with a consistent national framework. This consists of a Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act, Work Health and Safety Regulations and Codes of Practice.

1. Work Health and Safety Act
January 2012

2. The Work Health Safety
The Work Health Safety (WHS) Act came into effect on January 1, 2012. This
means organisations across most of Australia will be required to align their
OHS policies and procedures to ensure compliance with a consistent national
framework. This consists of a Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act, Work
Health and Safety Regulations and Codes of Practice.
The primary goal of the harmonisation is to deliver consistent levels of safety
for all workers across Australia, with a reduction in compliance costs and red
tape for employers.
The key changes that are likely to impact your business include changes to
primary duties and to whom these duties are owed. The obligation to ensure
health and safety will cease to be exclusively on employers and instead be on
‘persons conducting a business or undertaking’ (PCBUs).

3. National Work Health & Safety Laws
The Act also provides in very specific terms that contractors, subcontractors
and volunteers are all included in the definition of a worker. The legislation
also imposes a duty on ‘officers’ to exercise due diligence and the Act
provides guidance as to what is due diligence.
According to the new laws, Work Health and Safety (WHS) also replaces the
term Occupational Health and Safety (OHS).
For further information on the new National WHS laws, please visit:
www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au

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