WA Parliament’s Upper House passed the Work Health and Safety Bill on Wednesday 21 October following lengthy debate.
The Bill is set to trigger an overhaul of workplace safety regulation, which the WA Government says will streamline all the State’s workplace safety rules under a single Act.
The Bill aims to harmonise WA’s legislation with the national model.
Controversial aspects include increased penalties, prohibiting insurance coverage for WHS penalties and additional obligations on organisations providing safety services.
The Bill also includes new laws which expose business owners to imprisonment for up to five years if there is a death or serious injury onsite, regardless of whether there is recklessness or irresponsibility on the owner’s account.
The Bill will now return to the Lower House for sign off on 3 November 2020 and is expected to commence operation in the second half of 2021, once the supporting regulations are completed.
The regulations are to be based on the national model regulations, with some state-specific amendments which are yet to be determined.
CCIWA will provide Members with further information, workshops, and assistance to help prepare for the introduction of the new Bill.
We are currently offering a training course to provide an overview of the New Work Health and Safety Laws.
