Safety Bulletin - August 2022
Australia – Sexual harassment review recommendations to be fully implemented
The Australian Government has stated that it will fully implement the Respect@Work report recommendations that have not yet been actioned. This includes creating a positive duty within the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 on employers to prevent workplace sexual harassment, despite a positive duty already existing within work health and safety laws. The Fair Work Act 2009 will also be amended to directly prohibit sexual harassment and allow organisations to pursue legal action over sex discrimination.
Read the Attorney General’s media release here.
Western Australia – New building engineer registration regulations to be made
The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety has announced that new regulations allowing for the registration of building engineers will be made, in response to recommendations from the national Building Confidence Report. The registration scheme will affect around 900 existing building engineers and aims to provide greater accountability and consistency of engineering services, improve public safety and increase professional recognition of building engineers. A regulatory impact statement is now available.
Read the West Australian Government’s announcement here.
Queensland – Amusement devices code of practice under development
The QLD Government has announced that a new code of practice for amusement devices is being created, which will cover regulatory recommendations by the Best Practice Review of Workplace Health and Safety Queensland that were not addressed by 2019 amendments.