During July 2017, the Minister for Mines and Petroleum; Commerce and Industrial Relations, the Hon Bill Johnston MLA, sought to establish a Ministerial Advisory Panel (MAP) on Work Health and Safety (WHS) Reform.

The Panel is being formed to advise on the development of a single harmonised and amalgamated WHS Act, covering general industry and the resources sector in Western Australia (WA).

Membership

The Minister has appointed Ms Stephanie Mayman as Chair. Ms Mayman brings a wealth of knowledge to the role as Chair of the Commission for Occupational Safety and Health (COSH), in addition to her extensive occupational safety and health experience.

Other MAP members will be comprised of:

• a representative from the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA;
• a representative from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA;
• a representative from UnionsWA;
• two representatives from the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety - Resources Safety and WorkSafe Divisions;
• Ms Penny Bond (Ministerial Senior Policy Adviser); and
• Mr Simon Millman MLA, Member for Mount Lawley.

Terms of Reference

The Government intends to introduce into Parliament, as soon as possible, a single WHS Act regulating work health and safety in WA. The Act will be administered by the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.  Thereafter the role of the Panel will be to advise on the relevant industry regulations.

The MAP will advise the Minister on the content of the WHS Act, having regard to:

The current legislation, being the:

• Occupational Health and Safety Act 1984;
• Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994;
• Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources Act 1967;
• Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1982;
• Pipelines Act 1969; and
• Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Safety Levies Act 2011.

The importance of implementing harmonised laws in Australia generally, implement the optimal structure and content of the Model WHS Act in drafting the single Act.

Whether the matters regulated under the Dangerous Goods Safety Act 2004 should:

• be incorporated into the single Act; or
• remain as a standalone, but modernised Act.

To facilitate consultation in the most effective manner, the MAP will utilise the COSH and the Mining Industry Advisory Committee (MIAC) as a means of consulting with industry more broadly.  Additionally, the MAP Chair will report on developments at the COSH and MIAC meetings.

Contact

For any queries on the MAP, please email safety@dmirs.wa.gov.au.