Regulators Harmonisation Project

 
This WHS Regulators Harmonisation Project is a national effort to ensure consistent administration of the model laws from 1 January 2012. The project incorporates a wide range of activities that will influence the way in which the work health and safety regulators and their inspectors administer the future workplace health and safety laws. Examples of the areas of work included in this project are:
 
  • developing common principles and operational protocols and procedures for inspection work;
  • developing common performance measures for inspectors;
  • developing a common approach to training and development for inspectors;
  • reviewing and revising the national compliance and enforcement policy;
  • developing common procedures for investigations, prosecutions and enforceable undertakings;
  • agreeing to common approaches to approving training courses for health and safety representatives; and
  • establishing a common approach to the regulator’s role in relation to OHS entry permit holders.
Click here to find out more on the current National OHS Compliance and Enforcement Policy.
Visit the Safe Work Australia website www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au to find out more on the model work health and safety laws.

    Framework for Common Approach to Inspection Work

    A nationally consistent experience with the Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws, by persons conducting a business or undertaking and other workplace parties across Australia, relies on a clearly articulated set of principles by which regulators can guide inspection work within their jurisdiction in the lead up to and after 1 January 2012.

    This document sets out a framework to guide the approach to WHS inspection work. This framework supports the National Work Health and Safety Compliance and Enforcement Policy, which sets the overarching policy on how compliance and enforcement will be carried out by WHS regulators, and is, in turn, supported by the common operational procedures agreed to by WHS regulators about inspectors’ functions, powers and obligations.

    Click here for more information.

    Guiding Principles for Work Health and Safety Authorisations

    The Authorisation Management Policy Framework will require health and safety regulators to ensure a coordinated approach to its implementation with dedicated commitment to resources to manage business risks that may arise.

    The guiding principles reflect the National Compliance and Enforcement Policy for WHS laws, and which underpin all WHS compliance and enforcement activities, are consistency, constructiveness, transparency, accountability, proportionality, responsiveness and targeted.

    Click here for more information.