New Work Health and Safety Act information published online

Content highlights obligations under the new laws.
Date: Friday, 27 August 2021

Information designed to help Western Australians prepare for the State’s new work health and safety laws has been published on the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) website.

A video message from the Minister for Industrial Relations, Stephen Dawson, is supported by wide range of educational content.

This includes an introduction to Western Australia’s Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WHS Act) and a general overview to help people understand their health and safety duties and rights.

The content also covers worker representation and participation, key changes to enforcement, engaging with stakeholders and many other topics.

WA businesses, volunteer organisations and workers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with their obligations under the new laws.

The information published online is the most up-to-date content, and the department will continue to add material as it becomes available.

DMIRS expects the WHS Act to come into force in January 2022, which means the current occupational, petroleum and mines safety legislation applies until then

The new laws are based on the national model WHS Act used in other states and territories (except Victoria), so industries and companies will have similar obligations and requirements across Australia.

Transitional arrangements will provide sufficient time for businesses to adapt their safe systems of work to meet the new requirements.