Change’s to Australia’s Safety Regulations

Proposed OHS Amendment (Psychological Health) Regulations 

The Victorian government is drafting new regulations on Psychological Health, the OHS Amendment (Psychological Health) Regulations and associated Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS). The intent of these regulations is to provide clearer guidance to employers on their obligations to protect workers from mental injury. 

Western Australia WHS Act and Regulations published

The WA government has released drafts of the new Work, Health and Safety Act. The new legislation includes:

• Work Health and Safety Act 2020

• Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022 (exposure draft)

• Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022 (exposure draft)

• Work Health and Safety (Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Operations) Regulations 2022 (exposure draft)

Vic OHS Amendment (Crystalline Silica) Regulations 2021

• The regulation’s commenced on the 15th November 2021, and includes:

• Australia's first licensing regime for engineered stone (which has an extremely high concentration of silicosis-causing crystalline silica).

• Permanent bans on dry cutting of engineered stone.

• Requirements for "high risk crystalline silica" work conducted in other industries, including the construction and earth resource sectors.

• Introduces on-the-spot fines for eight silica-related offences.

• Control measures apply to all engineered stone processes, regardless of whether the process is undertaken with a power tool or not.