Safety Bulletin - September 2024
Australia – Incident notification provisions to be improved
Safe Work Australia (SWA) has announced that WHS Ministers have agreed to various improvements to incident notification within the model WHS Act. The changes will address key gaps in the notification of suspected work-related suicides or attempted suicides, violent incidents that may expose a person to a serious psychological risk, falls, electrical hazards, mobile plant incidents, and serious work-related injuries and illnesses. Other changes will provide clarity surrounding medical treatment for substance exposure, evidence preservation, site preservation and other notification requirements. SWA and the Parliamentary Council will draft the amendments and aim to have them finalised by early 2025. SWA will also create detailed guidance on the requirements.
Read more from SafeWork Australia here.
Queensland – Electrical safety and WHS amendments passed
The Queensland Government has passed amendments to the electrical safety, WHS and recreational water activities legislation. Other changes relating to the workers’ compensation laws have been assented, many of which commenced on 23 August 2024.
Read more from the Queensland government here.
Western Australia – National Gas Law amendments to be adopted
Energy Policy WA has announced that relevant Omnibus Package amendments to the National Gas Law will be adopted in Western Australia. The amendments which were made by the Statutes Amendment (National Energy Laws) (Omnibus) Act 2021, were adopted by other jurisdictions in 2021 and relate to the regulation of third-party access to gas pipelines. Stakeholder feedback on the draft regulatory instruments is welcomed. Comments close 6 September 2024.