The Workplace Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2008 will see some significant changes to workplace health and safety in Queensland.
The most significant change is that qualified Workplace Health and Safety Representatives will be allowed to issue Provisional Improvement Notices ("PIN") after consultation with employers.
A PIN can be issued by a Workplace Health and Safety Representative where they believe, on reasonable grounds, that an employer is breaching or has breached a provision of the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 or Regulations in circumstances that make it likely that the breach will continue or be repeated. A PIN can only be issued after consultation with the employer about remedying the breach or likely breach.
The provisions relating to the issuing of PIN's will commence on a date to be announced once industry has had sufficient time to develop workplace procedures and deliver training to Workplace Health and Safety Representatives. It is likely that the provisions will commence in or about mid 2009.
It is important that employers consider the adequacy of existing policies and procedures relating to consultation with Workplace Health and Safety Representatives and if they do not have such policies and procedures they should be put in place in anticipation of these significant changes to the law.
If you have an enquiry relating to Workplace Health and Safety please contact our Workplace Law division.
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