Browsing: WHS Harmonisation (TAS)

Australia's WHS ministers have agreed to amend the model WHS Regulations to prescribe control measures for psychological risks, and significantly increase safety penalties, but proposed industrial manslaughter laws were voted down at their meeting yesterday.

The model WHS laws could be amended to increase the focus on psychological health, with the public consultation process for the ongoing review of the laws identifying widespread concerns over this issue and the absence of a "notification trigger" for psychological injuries.

Safe Work Australia has launched the public consultation process for the review of the model WHS laws, posing 37 questions for discussion and pointing to the reasons why industrial manslaughter provisions weren't included in the Act.

• New apps guide could influence workplace wellbeing programs;
  
• WorkSafe replaces ousted chairperson;
  
• Queensland introducing amended workers' comp Bill; and
  
• Tasmania promises to retain strong WHS laws.

The final quarter of 2014 was a busy three months for workplace health and safety and workers' compensation, with major legislative changes and other developments in all jurisdictions. What did you miss?

New safety laws have taken effect in most jurisdictions this month, while some planned regulations have been scrapped.

Tasmania's mirror WHS Act and other laws could be strengthened to crack down on workplace bullying, according to a draft plan, which says many workers are able to bully others "without fear of consequences" under the current system.

In this update, OHS Alert examines the most important workplace safety and workers' comp news from the third quarter of 2014, including Safe Work Australia's controversial decision to dump draft Codes of Practice in favour of guidance packages, and other legislative developments.

Proposed and actual major changes to the harmonised WHS Acts, as well as surprising developments in the non-harmonised states, dominated OHS Alert's pages in the second quarter of 2014. Check out this review of all the most important safety and workers' compensation news from the three months to 30 June.

SA asked to comment on second harmonisation review; WHS transitional arrangements extended in NT; and Safe Rates Tribunal targets new industry.