Canberra PCBUs will be required to report actual or suspected incidents of s-xual assault to the WHS regulator, and be blocked from entering into insurance contracts against WHS penalties, under a Bill that implements a string of Marie Boland's safety recommendations, and cements injured workers' leave-accrual rights.
WHS reforms targeting the multiple subsectors in Canberra that deal with the hazardous substance silica will start taking effect from this month, under a two-tranche strategy announced today.
The maximum fine for industrial manslaughter in the ACT will jump from less than $2 million to $16.5 million, under a new Bill that transfers the offence from the Crimes Act to the WHS Act, and expands the coverage of the laws.
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 ACT Government has confirmed plans to transfer the offence of industrial manslaughter from the Crimes Act to its WHS laws, in a move that is likely to increase the maximum fine by millions of dollars.
Safe Work Australia has updated the model WHS Regulations and its guidance on the meaning of "person conducting a business or undertaking", while WHS provisions have been amended in NSW and South Australia, and the ACT has established a public register for reporting infringements by WHS licensees.
WHS entry permit holders are permitted, from today, to photograph or film suspected safety contraventions at ACT workplaces, under a Bill that also adopts $500,000 "prohibited asbestos" fines and amends workers' compensation laws.
