The Work Health and Safety Act 2020 commencement proclamation was recently published in the WA Government Gazette. CME welcomes the news of the WHS Act proclamation and considers this a positive step towards long-awaited WHS reform in WA. As per the proclamation commencement, the WHS Act, other than Part 1 Division 1 and Part 14 Division 4, comes into operation on 31 March 2022.
The WHS regulations have also been published in the WA Government Gazette:
- Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022
- Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022
- Work Health and Safety (Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Operations) Regulations 2022
As such, the new WHS laws (both the WHS Act and WHS Regulations) will come into effect on 31 March.
A regulatory statement of intent has also been released by DMIRS outlining the regulator’s intent to take an educational approach in the first 12 months of implementation (where new provisions apply).
As a recipient of the Peak Body Grants Program, CME has engaged with DMIRS to host industry-specific sessions in regional and metropolitan areas in partnership with other associations. The grant is provided to assist in engaging industry and communication education materials on the reforms. Further details on these sessions will be discussed through CME’s WHS Committee.
CME will continue to work closely with government through the transition to the new WHS laws.
Contact: Laila Nowell
Email: l.nowell@cmewa.com
