Edition 72, November 2009

ACT commences new work safety legislation

The Work Safety Act 2008 commenced in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) on 1 October 2009.

The Act replaces the former Occupational Health and Safety Act 1989. The new Act provides a legislative framework to secure the health, safety and wellbeing of all workers in the ACT.

A new set of supporting regulations, the Work Safety Regulation 2009 also commenced operation on 1 October 2009.

The Regulation was developed after ongoing consultation with the ACT Work Safety Council, a tripartite industry body that advises the Minister for Industrial Relations. The Work Safety Council replaced the prior Occupational Health and Safety Council on 1 October 2009.

The Regulation provides additional detail on specific work issues, such as workplace arrangements, facilities, licensing high risk work and performing manual tasks at work. The Regulation introduces the National Standard for Licensing Persons Performing High Risk Work and the National Code of Practice for Induction for Construction Work.

For more information visit www.ors.act.gov.au/workcover/WebPages/Corporate/news.htm

This page was generated on 27 November, 2009

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