Bulletin

OHS Regulations in Victoria

New regulations for occupational health and safety, and equipment public safety, in Victoria are commencing on 18 June 2017.

 

The new Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (OHS Regulations) remain similar in nature to the old regulations, but have been updated to “reflect modern work places and hazards”. The changes to the Equipment (Public Safety) Regulations 2017 (EPS Regulations) are relatively minor and are designed to bring them in line with the new OHS Regulations.

 

According to WorkSafe, if you are a one of the following, you will be disproportionately affected by the changes to the new OHS Regulations:

 

  • person in workplaces with asbestos
  • manufacturer or importing suppliers of hazardous substances or agvet chemicals
  • worker in construction
  • operator of a mine or major hazard facility

 

Other changes streamline (and reduce regulatory burden on duty holders relating to) licensing for high risk work and record keeping for designers and manufacturers of plant. Many of the regulations have also been re-numbered and re-formatted.

 

Changes brought forward by the EPS Regulations will also affect duty holders who work with plant in non-workplace settings, such as designers, manufacturers, importers, suppliers and people in charge of prescribed equipment.

 

Transitional provisions are in place which give duty and licence holders time to comply with certain new requirements, however WorkSafe has announced that (in most cases) compliance is required by the commencement date on 18 June.