Safety Bulletin - July 2021

Victoria – Reforms to strengthen rights and protections for labour hire workers announced

The VIC Government has introduced the Occupational Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2021 into Parliament. The Bill aims to ensure that labour hire workers are afforded the same rights and safety protections as other workers by extending the definition of employer and employee in the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 to cover labour hire employees. Further changes include the inability to indemnify against monetary penalties, facilitating consultation between labour hire providers and host employers, and updates to the powers for health and safety and authorised employee representatives.

View the Victorian Premier’s press release here.

Australia – HVNL reform program approved

Infrastructure and transport ministers have approved a HVNL Safety and Productivity Program which will execute the reform outcomes from the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) review. The National Transport Commission will advise on the reform areas of fatigue management, heavy vehicle access, operator assurance scheme, technology and data, duties and driver health, and legislative approach, to enable the development of draft amendments to legislation and other instruments. It is expected that the final legislation will be presented to ministers in mid-2023.

View the National Transport Commission page for the latest update here.

Australia – Targeted action on asbestos in imported building products announced

The Australian Border Force has announced targeted action is being taken against imported building products that may contain asbestos. Asbestos has been discovered in various building materials, including cut stone, tiles, cement fibreboards and panels, and pre-fabricated housing kits.

Read the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency’s press release here.