Browsing: WHS legislation, regulations, standards and codes (National)

Australia's Attorneys-General have agreed to work towards the harmonisation of human rights and anti-discrimination legislation, and progress other recommendations aimed at tackling workplace s-xual harassment and improving safety.

• False "white cards" breached workplace safety laws; and
  
• Workplace drug testing rules clarified in nationally agreed Bill.

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.

• New OHS provisions announced for psych hazards in Vic; and
  
• Comcare to scrap plant rule under WHS Regulations.

• Amendments fill workplace harassment and safety "gaps"; and
  
• WHS regulator targets psychological risks.

• Workplace COVID check-ins amended in Vic and Qld;
  
• NSW restricts use of hazardous extinguisher foams; and
  
• WHS Act extended to island.

• Tougher worker health surveillance rules applied in WA;
  
• International Standard for work-related safety signs released; and
  
• Female injury rate and pandemic show need for WHS change: ACTU.

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.

The International Organisation for Standardisation has released an OHS Standard, available for free in a read-only format, on working safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The document includes practical guidance on protecting employees as they return to their usual workplaces under easing pandemic restrictions.

• Workplace COVID plans urged as restrictions ease in NSW;
  
• Commonwealth WHS Regulations amended for GHS 7; and
  
• Thirty-two WHS notices issued to ACT childcare centres.