Changes to WHS codes of practice now in effect

On Friday July 15, the State Government implemented new Work Health and Safety codes of practice based on the national model codes, increasing the level of harmonisation between the State and national WHS systems.

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In most cases there have been minor amendments to reflect differences in the WA regulations.

• Code of practice — Abrasive blasting
• Code of practice — Confined spaces
• Code of practice — Construction work
• Code of practice — Demolition work
• Code of practice — First aid in the workplace
• Code of practice — Hazardous manual tasks
• Code of practice — How to manage and control asbestos in the workplace
• Code of practice — How to manage work health and safety risks
• Code of practice — How to safely remove asbestos
• Code of practice — Labelling of workplace hazardous chemicals
• Code of practice — Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work
• Code of practice — Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace
• Code of practice — Managing risks in stevedoring
• Code of practice — Managing risks of plant in the workplace
• Code of practice — Managing the risk of falls at workplaces
• Code of practice — Managing the risk of falls in housing construction
• Code of practice — Managing the risks of respirable crystalline silica from engineered stone in the workplace
• Code of practice — Managing the work environment and facilities
• Code of practice — Preparation of safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals
• Code of practice — Safe design of structures
• Code of practice — Spray painting and powder coating
• Code of practice — Welding processes
• Code of practice — Work health and safety consultation, cooperation and coordination

Make sure you get your WHS practices right. Use our free resources or get in touch with us for more support.

Links to individual codes are available on the Commerce WA website.

Revoked codes

A number of these codes replace previous codes, and as a result the following codes have been revoked:

• Code of practice — Abrasive blasting [COSH 2020]
• Codes of practice — First aid facilities and services; Workplace amenities and facilities; Personal protective clothing and equipment [COSH 2002]
• Code of practice — Managing noise at workplaces [COSH 2002]
• Code of practice — Manual tasks [COSH 2010]
• Code of practice — Prevention of falls from height at workplaces [COSH 2019]
• Code of practice — Safe design of buildings and structures [COSH 2008]
• Code of practice — Safeguarding of machinery and plant [COSH 2009]
• Code of practice — Spray painting [COSH 2009]
• Health and safety in welding—Technical note 7 [Welding Technology Institute of Australia TN—04]
• National code of practice for the control of workplace hazardous substances [NOHSC:2007 (1994) SWA]
• National code of practice for the labelling of workplace substances [NOHSC:2012 (1994) SWA]
• National code of practice for the Management and control of asbestos in workplaces [NOHSC:2018 (2005) SWA]
• National code of practice for the preparation of Material Safety Data Sheets [NOHSC:2011 (2003) SWA]
• National code of practice for the safe removal of asbestos [NOHSC:2002 (2005) SWA]

These new codes provide updated practical guidance for you on how to meet your obligations under the WHS Act, and we recommend you review your existing practices to ensure they comply with the new codes.