An independent review of model laws governing workplace health and safety (WHS) has been completed and its report submitted to WHS Ministers.
Chair of Safe Work Australia, Diane Smith-Gander has recommended the report and its findings to the Ministers for their consideration.
The review makes 34 recommendations designed to enhance the WHS framework with key recommendations relating to the model WHS Regulations and Codes of Practice.
These include making regulations on psychological health, higher penalties and other measures to strengthen the compliance and enforcement framework and enhance deterrence.
The independent reviewer, Marie Boland (pictured) said the model WHS laws were largely operating as intended, but she was recommending some changes to provide clarity and to drive greater consistency.
“The three-tier legal framework is widely supported, and there is a view that it is sufficiently flexible to accommodate the evolving nature of work and changing work relationships,” Ms Boland said.
WHS Ministers are expected to give their response later in the year.
Safe Work Australia appointed Ms Boland, a leader in WHS policy and regulation and a former Executive Director of SafeWork South Australia, to conduct the review in 2018. She consulted key stakeholders including regulators, businesses and the public.
Ms Boland’s 195-page report can be accessed on the Safe Work Australia website at this PS New link.
