OHS Harmonisation Laws

In 2008 the Safe Work Australia Bill was introduced to the Commonwealth Government meaning that the establishment of Safe Work Australia as a national independent statutory body would take place should the bill pass. Safe Work Australia had the role of improving on current occupational health and safety legislation and compensation arrangements for workers across the nation.

These new OHS Strategy Outlines are now available and look to be on track for the reported 2011 delivery date. Safe Work Australia says it's new workplace OHS harmonisation legislation will:

"provide a basis for developing sustainable, safe and healthy work environments and for reducing the number of people hurt or killed at work. The Strategy was agreed to by all Australian governments, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU). The Strategy sets very clear and ambitious goals for OHS and is a key initiative to improve Australia's OHS performance."

What does the new National OHS Harmonisation mean for your business?

With this new legislation and regulatary body comes a renewed focus on OH&S issues from a national perspective. Issues that might have only been looked at in certain states or precincts will now be taken into account on a national level. With this nationalised approach the Safe Work Australia Council hopes to increase the OHS knowledge and skills in workplaces and develop the capacity of business operators and workers to manage OHS effectively.

What the council hopes to bring to the table is:-

But what does it mean for your day-to-day operations?

Well for starters it means you will have less administration obligations to meet your OHS requirements particularly if your businesses is operating in different jurisdictions. It will also mean that it will be easier to employ workers from interstate or highly transient workers like backpackers and people on working holidays etc.

The inclusion of your employees having legislative requirements to work safely means that all staff within the business will have a better understanding of their OHS obligations and it's necessary for everyone within the company to take responsibility for their own and others' safety. The move towards a nationally recognised OHS legislation is a step in the right direction towards unifying the states in their OHS requirements and the security workers can expect in their place of employ across the country.