Review of OHS regulations

Its important to always be up date and participating in the formulating of new regulations for OHSE.Often it is easy to become to busy or simply ignore changes aand accept them as is passively.We caant complain though if these regualtions lack the protections we require if we dont speak up and participate proactively and at the crucial times.Below describes such an opportunity for 2007.

Proposed Consolidated OHS Regulations

As a result of the 2004 OHS Act, WorkSafe Victoria, in consultation with major stakeholders, has prepared proposed consolidated OHS Regulations 2007.

For the most part the proposed Regulations remake the existing Regulations. There were not intended to be any substantive policy changes. However, WorkSafe undertook that the new Regulations would satisfy the following:

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the proposed Regulations would consolidate existing Regulations;

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there would be greater standardisation of licensing and other permissioning schemes, and measures introduced to assist in decreasing the risk of fraud;

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the proposed Regulations would 'more closely align with' National OHS Standards, as long as closer alignment did not diminish the current level of protection for Victorian workers and/or the public; and

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the proposed Regulations would to cover new areas, such as construction and hazardous substances generated from non-hazardous materials.

The VTHC and affiliated unions have some concerns that in some chapters, the proposed Regulations do NOT satisfy one or more of the above undertakings. We have concerns, for example, with aspects of the general chapter, the asbestos chapter, the construction chapter and more. In the next couple of weeks we will be preparing comment on these for use by interested OHS Reps, workers, and others wishing to submit public comment.

WorkSafe Victoria has now released the Proposed OHS Regulations for public comment. In addition to the OHS Regulations, also available for public comment are the proposed Equipment (Public Safety) Regulations and the Regulatory Impact Statement. Public comment closes February 28, 2007.

The documents for public comment can be downloaded via the VWA links below:

* Volume 1-Regulatory Impact Statement

* Volume 2-Technical Appendix to the RIS

* Volume 3-The proposed Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007

* Volume 4-The proposed Equipment (Public Safety) Regulations 2007

Hard copies of the documents can be obtained from WorkSafe Advisory Service toll free on 1800 136 089.

How to make public comment

Submissions are due no later than 5 pm on 28 February 2007.

Written submissions should be mailed to:

Public Comment

Director, Compliance Framework Project

WorkSafe Victoria

GPO Box 4306

Melbourne Vic 3001

Please e-mail electronic submissions (either as Microsoft Word document or a Rich Text Format document) to: publiccomment@workcover.vic.gov.au

More information - public information sessions

WorkSafe is organising public information sessions beginning February 6 in Melbourne and in Geelong, Wangaratta, Rowville, Warnambool, Shepparton, Traralgon, Preston, Mildura, Ballarat and Bendigo. To register for one of these free sessions, go to the VWA website.

Source: ohsrep.org.au

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