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Your search for Workplace Health and Safety returned 48 record/s.
Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008 The objective of the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 (the Act) is to prevent a person’s death, injury or illness being caused by a workplace, a relevant workplace area, work activities or plant or substances for use at a workplace. The Act establishes a framework for preventing or minimising exposure to risk, including setting benchmarks for industry by making supporting regulations. The Work
Review of Workplace Health and Safety Enforcement Framework Cabinet considered a submission regarding the Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Enforcement Framework. In 2007, the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations (DEIR) commissioned an independent review into the WHS Enforcement Framework. The independent review was supported by a tripartite reference group comprising selected members from both the Electrical Safety and WHS Boards, unions, emp
Implement recs from Ombudsman’s report - regulation of mine safety in Qld In May 2007 the Queensland Ombudsman informed the Director-General of the Department of Mines and Energy of his intention to conduct an investigation of the Queensland Mines Inspectorate. The Queensland Mines Inspectorate is responsible for developing and administering legislation and policy governing coal and metalliferous mine safety and health issues in Queensland. The Ombudsman’s final repor
SDPC reviews Dept Employment and Industrial Relations and WHS Regulation In June 2008, the Service Delivery and Performance Commission (SDPC) completed a performance review of the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations (DEIR) and a review of the roles and responsibilities of Queensland Government agencies in the administration of workplace health and safety (WHS) regulation as part of its 2007-2008 Work Program. The review of DEIR found that the Department h
Workplace Health and Safety and Other Acts Amendment Bill 2008 In September 2007, Mr Robin Stewart-Crompton was commissioned by the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations to conduct an independent review into the current Workplace Health and Safety Enforcement Framework. The review recommendations relating to the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 and the Electrical Safety Act 2002 that are being progressed in this Bill are: commencement of pros
Building Standards for Temporary Buildings used for Accommodation Purposes The draft code on “Temporary Accommodation Buildings and Structures” will detail the minimum standards for structural stability, safety, health, amenity and sustainability that must be incorporated in any temporary accommodation building. The Regulatory Impact Statement addresses the costs and benefits associated with the introduction the code. Cabinet noted the draft code on Temporary Accommodat
Construction WorkHealth Pilot Results from the Construction WorkHealth Initiative Pilot were presented to Cabinet. The pilot involved conducting health and skin assessments across the commercial and civil construction industries. Overall, 1,094 health assessments and 964 skin assessments were completed during the pilot. Data from the pilot showed that one in five workers who participated in the Molescan assessment had suspect
Ministerial Notice regarding ceiling insulation Serious electrical safety risks have been identified with foil ceiling insulation associated with the Australian Government’s former Home Insulation Program, which ran from 3 February 2009 to 19 February 2010. Since October 2009, there have been three Queensland electrical fatalities associated with the installation of ceiling insulation. Cabinet noted that the Attorney-General and Minister for I
Mines and Energy Amendment (No.2) Bill 2010 The Mines and Energy Legislation Amendment (No. 2) 2010 (the Bill) amends the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004 (P&G Act) to enable the specification and enforcement of nation-wide introduction of minimum energy performance standards for gas appliances. The Bill also includes various amendments to the Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999 and Coal Mining Safety and Healt
Framework for Alcohol and Drug Management in the Workplace The Framework for Alcohol and Drug Management in the Workplace recommends that employers develop a drug and alcohol policy in consultation with workers following the conduct of a risk assessment which identifies the need for a drug and alcohol policy in that workplace. The Framework is applicable to all workplaces. However, it is expected that only high risk workplaces will identify a need for a
Electrical Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 The Bill amends the Electrical Safety Act 2002 and the Electrical Safety Regulation 2002 to implement a new Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS) within Queensland. This new system: Places obligations for safety on a responsible supplier who is the first point of sale (ie the manufacturer or importer) in Australia or New Zealand. Establishes a national register where all suppliers and certain
Work Health and Safety and Safety in Recreational Water Bills 2011 The harmonisation of work health and safety (WHS) laws is part of the Council of Australian Governments’ National Reform Agenda aimed at reducing the regulatory burden and creating a seamless national economy. The objects of harmonising WHS laws through a model framework are to protect the health and safety of workers, improve safety outcomes, reduce compliance costs for business, and improve eff
Appointment of Commissioner for Mine Safety and Health The proposed appointment is to a stand alone role of Commissioner for Mine Safety and Health and not to a government body. Under section 73A(1) of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 (the Act), there is to be a Commissioner for Mine Safety and Health. Pursuant to the Act, the functions of the commissioner are to: advise the Minister on mine health and safety matters generally; fulfil the r
RIS for the Mine Safety National Framework The National Mine Safety Framework (NMSF) started as an initiative of the Conference of Chief Inspectors of Mines but became one of 27 Council of Australian Governments (COAG) reforms. One of the strategies under the NMSF is to develop a nationally consistent legislative and regulatory framework. Queensland has participated in the NMSF based on the position that existing safety and health standar
Strategic Management of Asbestos in Qld The Queensland Government has a regulatory and policy framework to minimise the risks of exposure to asbestos in workplaces, domestic premises and the environment. Four State Government departments and over 70 local councils are responsible for administering and enforcing asbestos-related legislation. At times, the multiplicity of laws and the division of regulatory responsibilities across agencie
Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 The need for the proposed Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 (the 2013 Regulation) is due to the automatic expiry of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2002 (the 2002 Regulation) under the requirements of the Statutory Instruments Act 1992. A consultation Regulatory Assessment Statement (RAS) for the review of the 2002 Regulation was released for public comment between 28 March 2013 and 26 April 2013
Appointments to the Board of Examiners The Board of Examiners is constituted under Part 10 of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 (the Act). The functions of the Board are: to decide the competencies necessary for holders of certificates of competency; to assess applicants, or have applicants assessed, for certificates of competency; to grant certificates of competency to persons who have demonstrated to the Board’s satisfaction
Work Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 The Work Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 implements outcomes from the review of the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws in Queensland. The aim of the review was to consider the impact of the laws on business, and identify any aspects that were considered unworkable or have had unintended consequences including unanticipated cost burdens. Key changes being given effe
Appointments to Work Health and Safety Board The Work Health and Safety Board (the Board) is established under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (the WHS Act). The primary function of the Board is to give advice and make recommendations to the Minister about policies, strategies, allocation of resources, and legislative arrangements for work health and safety in Queensland. In appointing persons to the Board, Schedule 2 Section 6 of the WH
Appointments Board of Examiners The Board of Examiners is established under Part 10 of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 (the Act). The functions of the Board of Examiners are: to decide the competencies necessary for holders of certificates of competency; to assess applicants, or have applicants assessed, for certificates of competency; to grant certificates of competency to persons who have demonstrated to the Board’s
Review of Existing Fly-in Fly-out Arrangements in Qld The Queensland Government is committed to delivering strong and sustainable resource communities across Queensland. Part of this commitment is to introduce choice for workers to live in the resource communities near where they work. Historically, operational workforces in the resource sector were established in regional areas through either growth of existing regional centres such as Emerald or
National Harmonisation of Explosives Legislation In July 2008, the Productivity Commission Report on Chemicals and Plastics Regulation recommended that an integrated review of explosives legislation, regulations and the Australian Explosives Code be undertaken to deliver national consistency. In December 2012, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed that the harmonisation of explosives regulation would continue to be progressed by th
Work Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 The Work Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 (the Bill) implements election commitments made by the Government in the ‘Improving safety for Queenslanders at work’ policy platform. Key changes being given effect by the Bill include: allowing work health and safety (WHS) entry permit holders to enter a workplace immediately if they suspect a contravention has occurred and
National Injury Insurance Scheme (Queensland) Bill 2016 The establishment of a National Injury Insurance Scheme (NIIS) alongside the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was recommended by the Productivity Commission in its 2011 Inquiry Report, Disability Care and Support. The Productivity Commission proposed that a NIIS would cover the lifetime (i.e. until death) care and support needs of catastrophically injured people across four main stream
Quad bike safety - a coordinated Queensland Government Response Quad bikes pose a significant safety issue for the Queensland community as they are associated with a growing number of injuries and fatalities in both work and recreational settings. This requires a whole of government approach with a suite of solutions to improve safety outcomes. The Government has committed to improving quad bike safety through a whole of government approach and developed a th
Government response to Agriculture and Environment Committee Report No. 24 Hendra virus vaccine On 25 February 2016, the Legislative Assembly agreed to a motion that the Agriculture and Environment Committee inquire into and report on the Hendra virus (HeV) EquiVac® vaccine and its use by veterinary surgeons in Queensland. The Committee tabled its Report on 21 October 2016. The report made 11 recommendations for the Government to consider relating to Queensland’s sole laboratory with Hendra
Building and Construction Legislation (Non-conforming Building Products - Chain of Responsibility and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2017 Non-conforming building products (NCBPs) pose a significant risk to the health and safety of all Queenslanders. The use of NCBPs threatens the integrity of a building, putting all users of the building, as well as people on building sites potentially at risk. Incorporating NCBPs in a building can also impose significant costs on owners to rectify damages or undertake remedial action. The Queenslan
Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation (Coal Workers Pnemoconiosis) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2017 Key changes being given effect by the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation (Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2017 include: Introducing a medical examination process for retired/former coal workers with suspected coal workers’ pneumoconiosis or a Coal Mine Dust Lung Disease; Introducing an additional lump sum compensation for workers with a pneumoconiosis injur
Work Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2017 Key changes to the Work Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2017 include: introducing an offence of industrial manslaughter (negligence causing death); establishing an independent statutory office for work health and safety prosecutions; expanding the jurisdiction of the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) to hear and determine disputes relating to work health and
Appointments to Board of Examiners The Board of Examiners is established under Part 10 of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 (the Act). The functions of the Board of Examiners are: to decide the competencies necessary for holders of certificates of competency; to assess applicants, or have applicants assessed, for certificates of competency; to grant certificates of competency to persons who have demonstrated to the Board’s
Appointments to Electrical Licensing Committee The Electrical Licensing Committee is established under section 87 of the Electrical Safety Act 2002 (the Act). Under section 88 of the Act, the functions of the Licensing Committee are to: give advice and make recommendations to the Electrical Safety Board about electrical licences and training; take necessary disciplinary action against holders of electrical licences and against previous holders
Government response to Select Committee Report No 4 - Inquiry into occupational respirable dust issues On 29 September 2017, the Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis Select Committee tabled its Report No. 4 on its extended terms of reference – Inquiry into occupational respirable dust issues. The report made five recommendations for the Government to consider relating to: developing a code of practice for the management of respirable dust hazards in coal-fired power stations; approving the national code o
Appointments to Board of Examiners The Board of Examiners is established under Part 10 of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999. The functions of the Board of Examiners are: to decide the competencies necessary for holders of certificates of competency; to assess applicants, or have applicants assessed, for certificates of competency; to grant certificates of competency to persons who demonstrated to the Board’s satisfaction t
Mines Legislation (Resources Safety) Amendment Bill 2017 and Government submission to Committee Inquiry The safety and health of workers in Queensland’s mining sector is regulated under the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 (CMSHA) and Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999 (MQSHA). These Acts establish mining sector specific safety and health obligations which are distinct from general workplace obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act). The Mines Legislation (Re
Project Management Office work program regarding Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis Select Committee recommendations On 29 May 2017, the Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis Select Committee tabled its Report No. 2 – Inquiry into the re-identification of Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis in Queensland. The Queensland Government’s response to the Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis Select Committee’s report was tabled on 8 September 2017. The government’s response committed to establishing a Project Management Office to undertake
Health and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2018 The Health and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2018 amends Health and other portfolio legislation to give effect to key policies and improve the operation of relevant Acts. The Bill gives effect to recommendations of the Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis Select Committee of the Queensland Parliament by establishing a notifiable dust lung disease register. The Bill amends the Public Health Act 2005 to
Appointments to Persons Affected by Work-Related Fatalities and Serious Incidents Consultative Committee The Persons Affected by Work-related Fatalities and Serious Incidents Consultative Committee (the Affected Persons Committee) is established under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (the Act). Under the Act, the function of the Affected Persons Committee is to give advice to the Minister and Queensland Government about the information and support needs of persons affected by work-related fataliti
Respirable crystalline silica dust exposure in stone benchtop manufacturing The Minister for Education and Minister for Industrial Relations made an announcement in Parliament on 18 September 2018 to alert the community to safety concerns around exposure to respirable crystalline silica in stone benchtop fabrication. The Minister announced the immediate issuing of a safety alert and guide for industry, which included a prohibition on dry cutting, as well as plans to devel
Coal Mining Safety and Health (Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis) Amendment Regulation 2018 Following the re-identification of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) in 2015, the Queensland Government has been actioning a response which encompasses dust exposure, health screening and support for workers with the disease. This has included the implementation of recommendations from both the independent review conducted by Monash University in collaboration with the University of Illinois at C
Appointments to Board of Examiners The Board of Examiners is established under Part 10 of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 (CMSH Act). The functions of the Board of Examiners are to: decide the competencies necessary for holders of certificates of competency; assess applicants, or have applicants assessed, for certificates of competency; grant certificates of competency to persons who demonstrated to the Board’s satisfact
Queensland resources safety and health regulator and funding models On 29 May 2017, the Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis Select Committee tabled its Report No. 2 – Inquiry into the re-identification of Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis in Queensland. The Queensland Government’s response to the Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis Select Committee’s report was tabled on 8 September 2017. The government’s response committed to establishing a Project Management Office, led by a per
Appointment of Work Health and Safety Prosecutor The Work Health and Safety Prosecutor (WHS Prosecutor) is an independent statutory office established under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. The WHS Prosecutor must be appointed by the Governor in Council. The role and functions of the WHS Prosecutor are to: conduct and defend proceedings under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011; and advise the WHS Regulator on matters relating to the Work
Work Health and Safety (Amusement Devices-Public Safety) Amendment Regulation 2019 The Work Health and Safety (Amusement Devices – Public Safety) Amendment Regulation 2019 was developed in response to recommendations of the Best Practice Review of Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, which was undertaken following the tragic fatalities at Dreamworld in October 2016. The amendment regulation implements enhanced safety in major amusement parks and for amusement rides registere
Appointment of Commissioner for Electrical Safety The Improving safety for Queenslanders at work policy platform document reinstates the position of Commissioner for Electrical Safety. The Commissioner for Electrical Safety Queensland (Commissioner) is established under the Electrical Safety Act 2002. The Commissioner provides a strong voice to government on electrical safety matters and is an independent advocate for electrical safety in Queensl
Resources Safety and Health Queensland Bill 2019 The safety and health of workers in Queensland’s resources industries is regulated by the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy. Following the re-identification of Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis (CWP) in 2015, a Parliamentary Select Committee was established to conduct an inquiry and report into CWP in coalmine workers in Queensland. A key recommendation of the Select Committee was to
Amendments during consideration in detail of Community Service Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Bill 2019 On 27 November 2019, the Minister for Education and Minister for Industrial Relations introduced the Community Services Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Bill 2019 which provided, at section 2, a 1 July 2020 commencement start date for the scheme. Due to the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic, an amendment to the Bill is required to change the commencement date for the scheme to be a date fixed by
Appointment of Work Health and Safety Prosecutor In response to a key recommendation arising from the 2017 Best Practice Review of Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, the Work Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2017 established the Office of the Work Health and Safety Prosecutor – an independent statutory office, led by a Prosecutor, to institute and defend all work health and safety prosecutions. As per Schedule 2, secti
Queensland Government response to 2022 Review of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 The operation of Queensland’s Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) (WHS Act) has been the subject of two recent reviews, the 2022 Review of Queensland’s Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (the WHS Act Review) and the 2018 Review of the model work health and safety laws (the Boland Review). Commissioned by the Minister for Education, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Racing, the WHS