Work Health Safety (WHS) Legislation 2012

Roxayne WestHealth & Safety, Legislation

What’s new for NSW

In NSW there are a few changes under the new WHS laws.  Some of these include:

  • The term ‘employer’ will be replaced by the term ‘person conducting a business or undertaking’ (PCBU).
  • An ‘employee’ will be known as a ‘worker’.  This includes labour hire staff, volunteer, work experience student, contractor, sub-contractor, apprentice, trainee and outworker.
  • If you are a supplier, designer, manufacturer, importer, or manager or controller of a workplace, you will have specific duties in addition to those as a PCBU.
  • Certain volunteers can have the same responsibilities as a worker.
  • OHS representatives will now be called health and safety representative (HSR) and will have a few additional functions as well as playing a role in the consultation process between ‘workers’ and ‘PCBUs’.
  • A member of an employee representative body can apply for an entry permit to enter a workplace.

If you would like to know more about how the new laws affect you, click on the links below.

PCBU
A ‘person conducting a business or undertaking’ (PCBU) includes a retailer, wholesaler, manufacturer, importer, owner-driver…..

WORKER
A worker includes an employee, labour hire staff, volunteer, apprentice….

HEALTH AND SAFETY REPRESENTATIVE
A health and safety representative makes a significant contribution to ensuring the safety of NSW workplaces.

ENTRY PERMIT HOLDER
Find out how to obtain a work health and safety entry permit

For the latest on the new laws or to register for free workshops and presentations, visit workcover.nsw.gov.au/newlegislation2012

For more information contact Safety Services Australia  029836 3100  www.safetyservices.net.au