Have your say on safety reforms

The final stage of the three-stage consultation process has now started
Date: Tuesday, 02 August 2016

Stakeholder input is now being sought as part of the State Government’s commitment to modernise and consolidate safety legislation covering mining, petroleum and major hazard facilities (MHFs) in Western Australia.

Department of Mines and Petroleum Resources Safety Executive Director Simon Ridge said this was the final stage of a three-part consultation process.

“In 2014, the first stage looked at the structure of the current legislation and recommended consolidating the safety requirements from six different Acts into one Act,” Mr Ridge said.

“In 2015, the second stage consulted stakeholders on the content of the Work Health and Safety (Resources and Major Hazards) Bill, and recommended the development of the Bill, subject to minor amendments.

“The final stage will consult stakeholders on the details of the supporting Work Health and Safety (Resources and Major Hazards) Regulations.”

As the resources sectors continue to transition towards a risk-based approach to health and safety, it is important legislation is less prescriptive and more adaptable to change.

In addition to consolidating work health and safety provisions, the legislation is being modernised to help cater for new technologies and made more consistent across industries and between jurisdictions.

“Each industry sector presents its own risks and safety requirements,” Mr Ridge said.

“However, there are many common elements. The new supporting Regulations should deliver improved consistency between industry sectors while still including industry-specific provisions.”

The department has engaged Marsden Jacob Associates to independently manage the RIS consultation process on the proposed Work Health and Safety (Resources and Major Hazards) Regulations.

The consultation paper and further information about how to contribute to the process are available on the Marsden Jacobs website.

Submissions must be directed to Marsden Jacob Associates by 5pm WST on Friday,

9 September 2016. Comments may be made public or kept confidential on request.

For more detail on the consultation process and details on how to make a submission, please refer to the Marsden Jacobs’ webpage.

Alternatively, any queries or concerns should be directed to Alex Marsden on (08) 9324 1785 or amarsden@marsdenjacob.com.au .