News Article

WHS eNews - December 2011

Work health and safety regulations approved for 1 January 2012 start
On Friday 16 December 2011 the NSW WHS Regulations were published and will commence with the WHS Act on 1 January 2012.

The work health and safety (WHS) regulations expand on the requirements of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act) by providing further details on how the WHS Act is to be complied with.



New codes of practice
As part of the new WHS laws, 11 new model codes of practice to will take effect from 1 January 2012.
The new model codes of practice are:
. Confined Spaces
. Hazardous Manual Tasks
. How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
. How to Manage and Control Asbestos in the Workplace
. How to Safely Remove Asbestos
. Labelling of Workplace Hazardous Chemicals
. Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work
. Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
. Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
. Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals
. Work Health and Safety Consultation, Co-operation and Co-ordination

The following NSW codes of practice will be revoked:
. Storage and handling of dangerous goods - will be available as guidance material
. Facade retention
. Noise management and protection of hearing at work
. Labelling of workplace substances
. Control of workplace hazardous substances - will be available as guidance material
. Electrical practices for construction work
. Mono-strand post-tensioning of concrete buildings
. OHS consultation - effective decision making and how to establish workplace OHS consultation arrangements
. Workplace amenities
. Risk assessment
. Low voltage electrical work
. Preparation of material safety data sheets

All remaining WorkCover NSW codes of practice will continue to be recognised under the new legislation.



A practical guide to the WHS Act
A practical guide to assist in understanding the WHS Act as been developed and is now available on the WorkCover website. Topics covered in the guide include duties of care and consultation.
http://email.pmzmarketing.com.au/ch/19293/2d45q69/1587742/04a5a130jg.html


Transitional arrangements
Transitional arrangements have been put in place in NSW to support businesses, industry and workers move to a new system of WHS laws. These arrangements start on 1 January 2012.
http://email.pmzmarketing.com.au/ch/19293/2d45q69/1587743/04a5acmwc.html



Work heath and safety information sessions
Throughout November and December, WorkCover staff visited 11 locations throughout NSW holding 28 sessions providing information on the new WHS laws.
A pre-recorded webinar will be available on the WorkCover website shortly which covers the information presented at these sessions.



WorkCover: here to help
WorkCover NSW is committed to ensuring that the transition to the new WHS legislation is as seamless as possible for businesses, industry and workers. WorkCover staff are always on hand to provide advice and assistance and we strongly believe that the best outcomes for businesses and workers are achieved when we work hand in hand with industry.
WorkCover is here to help all NSW businesses and workers comply with the new work health and safety laws - visit the WorkCover website for regular updates and to obtain Fact Sheets and FAQs and what the key changes are for NSW. To request an information disk containing training material and pre-recorded webinars send us an email.(whs.feedback@workcover.nsw.gov.au)
Look out for our next edition of WHS eNews for more updates on work health and safety laws in NSW! If you missed a WHS eNews edition check out previous WHS eNews editions available also on the WorkCover website.