Workplace health and safety

UPDATE: Safe Work Australia's statement regarding the Impact on Volunteers

From 1 January 2012 workplace health and safety laws will be harmonised across Australia and will replace the existing work health and safety legislation in all states, territories and the Commonwealth. While many parts of the new legislation will remain the same or similar to current arrangements it is important that industry and workers know what the differences are. This will ensure they have time to put systems in place for 1 January 2012 if necessary.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has published several resources to assist with understanding the changes. Here are some links to the most useful resources:

• Queensland's new work health and safety laws: access the Act, explanatory notes, and the model regulations.
• Guide to the Work Health and Safety Act: provides an overview of the Queensland Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Understanding the Work Health and Safety Act 2011: highlights the differences between Queensland's current Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 and the new Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work health and safety law films: three films: Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Model Work Health and Safety regulation (Chapters 1 - 3) and Model Work Health and Safety regulation (Chapters 4 - 11).
• Executive Officers: know your responsibilities under the new laws and a Factsheet on Due Diligence and
• Other facts sheets about the new work health and safety laws.

FIND OUT MORE: Visit www.deir.qld.gov.au/workplace/law/harmonisationohslaws or telephone Workplace Health and Safety Infoline on 1300 369 915 or subscribe to their e-news to keep informed on the latest health and safety issues that affect workplaces in Queensland.