Many WHS Codes amended to reflect the national transition of Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS 7 ) and for other purposes.
A total of nearly 30 WHS Codes of Practice have been amended in the ACT, NSW and Queensland to reflect the national transition to the seventh revised edition of the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS 7), and for other purposes.
Duty holders in most parts of Australia must now manufacture, classify, label or supply hazardous chemicals in accordance with GHS 7 instead of GHS 3, with limited exceptions.
In the ACT, 10 WHS Codes were recently updated for the GHS-7 regime: Abrasive blasting, Welding processes, Confined spaces, Spray painting and powder coating, Preparation of safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals, Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the Workplace, Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work, Labelling of workplace hazardous chemicals, How to safely remove asbestos, and How to manage and control asbestos in the workplace.
In NSW, seven WHS Codes of Practice were remade for GHS 7: Abrasive blasting, Confined spaces, 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, and Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace.
In Queensland, 10 WHS Codes were amended both to include GHS-7 content, where needed, and to reflect changes made by the State Work Health and Safety Amendment Regulation 2022 in November last year.
These 10 Codes are: Abrasive blasting, Confined spaces, 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 risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace, Preparation of safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals, Spray painting and powder coating, and Welding processes.
Meanwhile, Queensland's WHS Code of Practice, Managing respirable dust hazards in coal-fired power stations, was updated to reflect the tighter (safer) workplace exposure standard for respirable coal dust that took effect late last year (the revised version of the Code is not yet available online).
Further, the State's 2018 version of the WHS Code, Managing risks in stevedoring, is nearly due to expire and will be replaced on 31 March 2023.
Tasmania adopts psychosocial WHS Code and regulations
The Tasmanian Government has made the national model WHS Code of Practice, Managing psychosocial hazards at work, under the State Work Health and Safety Act 2012.
It has also amended its Work Health and Safety Regulations 2022 by implementing a number of recent changes to the model Regulations, including provisions explicitly requiring PCBUs to identify and control psychosocial risks through a risk management process.
NSW, Queensland, Western Australia and the Commonwealth jurisdiction have also adopted the new psychosocial clauses.
Other recent model WHS changes adopted by Tasmania include those: clarifying that complying with Australian Standards is not mandatory unless specifically stated; and increasing record-keeping requirements for amusement devices like show rides.
Meanwhile, the State Government recently made the Mines Work Health and Safety (Supplementary Requirements) Regulations 2022, to replace the sunsetting 2012 Regulations of the same name.
The new version includes minor word changes to improve clarity and omits defunct transitional arrangements.
It is expected that the 2022 Regulations will be replaced in late 2024, when a new, substantially improved set of mines safety regulations will be ready for implementation.
NSW enforcing new WHS rules for gig work
Gig economy companies and food delivery riders have been reminded of the new PPE and training rules in the sector, with SafeWork NSW and police conducting a compliance blitz in parts of Sydney in January.
Under NSW WHS amendments made early last year, and commencing on 1 July 2022, gig economy platforms must provide their riders with high-visibility personal protective equipment and induction training.
It has been mandatory for food delivery riders – on motorbikes or bicycles – to use this PPE and carry their training verification records since the start of January 2023.
SafeWork NSW and NSW Police have engaged with riders in high-risk locations during typically busy periods.
Riders found to be non-compliant can receive on-the-spot fines of $144, while food delivery platforms can be fined up to $3,600 for breaching the safety laws.
It noted officers will also focus on illegally motorised ebikes, inadequate lighting on bikes, and unsafe practices like using a mobile phone while riding.