Understanding Safety Laws and Regulations

We all have a duty of care to ensure we understand the law and how to keep a safe workplace. The following describes laws and regulations that govern some of the duties Australian businesses need to adhere to.

Work Health and Safety Acts

The Work Health and Safety (WHS) Acts serve as the foundational legal framework designed to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of all workplace participants. These Acts delineate the responsibilities of various professionals including architects, designers, builders, building managers, installers, and maintenance workers.

Most states, except Victoria and Western Australia, adhere to the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act. Victoria operates under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act 2004, while Western Australia follows the Work Health and Safety Act 2020. While the OHS and WHS Acts are largely aligned, the WHS Act includes additional clarifications in certain areas. Our products comply with the detailed WHS Act to provide extensive protection across Australia.

Access the full Work Health and Safety Act 2011 here

Work Health and Safety Regulations

The Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations 2011 specify methods to prevent, minimize, or eliminate workplace hazards and risks. Any Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) must comply with these Regulations. In the absence of industry-specific Regulations, PCBUs must adopt suitable risk management practices to the extent reasonably practicable.

Download the 2011 Work Health and Safety Regulations here

Codes of Practice

Codes of practice offer practical guidance on fulfilling the requirements set out in the Acts and Regulations. Compliance with an approved code of practice is crucial for meeting the health and safety obligations under the WHS Act and Regulations. These codes address specific issues and do not encompass all possible workplace risks. Employers are required to assess all potential risks, regardless of whether specific regulations or codes of practice exist.

Codes of Practice cover areas such as:

• Risk management and hazard identification
• Control measure implementation and maintenance
• Suitable devices for managing specific risks or hazards
• Emergency procedures
• Design considerations

Download the model Code of Practice for Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces here

Australian Standards

Australian Standards provide guidelines to ensure the safety, performance, and reliability of various goods, services, and systems. While adherence to these standards is not universally mandated by law, compliance with certain standards is required under WHS laws. Non-compliance can lead to legal breaches and potential prosecution. Courts may also consider adherence to standards in legal proceedings, even if not legally obligatory.

Key standards for height safety and working at heights include:

• AS 1657:2018 – Fixed Platforms, Walkways, Stairways, and Ladders
• AS/NZS 1891 Series – Safety Belts, Harnesses, and Fall Arrest Devices
• AS2625 – Safe Working in a Confined Space
• AS/NZS ISO 22846 – Industrial Rope Access Systems
• AS/NZS 5532 – Requirements for Single Point Anchors

Purchase the Australian Standards from SIA Global here

This content aims to ensure clarity and compliance for all workplace stakeholders under the prevailing health and safety legislation.