The Western Australian Government is seeking your comments on the proposals to modernise Western Australia’s WHS laws.

Background

On 12 July 2017, the Government announcemed  the development of a modernised Work Health and Safety Act for Western Australia, which is based on the national model Work Health and Safety Bill. This Act will replace three acts, the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984, Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994; and Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Safety Levies Act 2011.

Following this announcement the Cabinet of Western Australia established the Ministerial Advisory Panel (MAP) on Work Health and Safety (WHS) Reform to provide advice on adopting the model WHS laws in Western Australia.  The MAP has now provided its advice to the Minister and prepared a report that is now available for public comment. 

Public comment

Anyone with an interest in Modernising the Western Australian Work Health and Safety laws is invited to comment on the recommendations.  The Department for Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety will be holding information sessions to provide an overview of the proposals for adopting the WHS Act in Western Australia, developed by the Ministerial Advisory Panel.  It will also outline how to provide feedback on the proposals or on any other aspect of the model WHS Act.

• Work Health and Safety Act Consultation document – Modernising work health and safety laws in Western Australia – Proposals for amendments to the model Work Health and Safety Bill  for adoption in Western Australia 

Video – Modernising Work Health and Safety laws in WA 

If you are unable to attend an information session or would like a refresh  before finalising your submission, the department has produced a video to assist you.   This video will provide an overview of the proposals for adopting the WHS Act in Western Australia, developed by the Ministerial Advisory Panel.  It will also outline how to provide feedback on the proposals or on any other aspect of the model WHS Act.

Modernising Work Health and Safety laws in WA – an information session video 38.18

Supporting information:

• Safe Work Australia Model Work Health and Safety Bill 2016
• Excerpt from Part 7 (Right of entry) Safe Work Australia Model Work Health and Safety Bill 2016
• Information sessions 

Making a submission

The closing date for comments is 31 August 2018 at 5PM.  You may comment on the recommendations in the consultation paper, or on any other aspect of the model WHS laws.

The department encourages you to provide your comment using the submission templates.

• Submission cover sheet
• Submission template
• Table of recommendations

Your submission will be published on the DMIRS website at a later date, unless you specify that your comments are confidential.

Comments should be addressed to:

Mail:

WHS Reform
Locked Bag 14
CLOISTERS SQUARE WA 6850

PLEASE MARK YOUR ENVELOPE ‘FOR THE ATTENTION OF THE A/DIRECTOR GENERAL, SAFETY REGULATION – SUBMISSION ON WHS REFORM’

Email: safety@dmirs.wa.gov.au

If you have any questions regarding the public consultation process you may email them to safety@dmirs.wa.gov.au

Other safety and health enquiries should be directed to the WorkSafe Contact Centre.