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WorkCover NSW Health and Safety Representives Courses
On 1 January 2012, NSW commenced under the Work Health and Safety Act. Under the WHS Act, Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) replace OHS Representatives and Health and Safety Committees (HSCs) replace OHS Committees.
Transitional arrangements permit recognition of existing OHS Representatives and elected OHS Committee members as HSRs, and OHS Committees as HSCs under the WHS Act from 1 January 2012.
HSRs are entitled under section 72 of the WHS Act to attend training in work health and safety. The WorkCover approved training, is a five day initial course followed by a one day refresher course each year thereafter.
In addition to the five day course, WorkCover has approved a 1 day gap training course for HSRs who have transitioned from the role of OHS Representative or elected OHS Committee member and who have previously completed the WorkCover Course in OHS Consultation. These new courses are an entitlement for HSRs.
As a WorkCover approved training provider, Alpine OH&S Consulting can deliver both the 5 day HSR training course and the 1 day HSR gap training course. The courses can be delivered at times and locations suitable to your organisation.
Note: It is not mandatory for persons who have attended the previous NSW WorkCover 4 day OHS Consultation course, and who will continue to act as a HSR, to attend the new 5 day HSR course, however they must attend the 1 day gap training course.
Please contact Gary Wall on 0406 770 919 or alpine.ohs@bigpond.com for further information or to discuss scheduling of a course.
New OHS Laws - time to Act!
The NSW Government has enacted the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, which will commence 1st January 2012. This legislation is part of the federal initiative to harmonise or standardise OHS laws across Australia. The current NSW OHS Act 2000 will be repealed upon commencement of the new WHS Act 2011.
For the interim period the government has introduced amendments (through the OHS Amendment Act 2011) to the current OHS Act 2000, which commenced 1st July 2011.
Following commencement of the new Work Health and Safety Act 2011, new WHS Regulations and Codes of Practices will commence. State and territory ministers have already endorsed several Codes of Practice, for example:
- How to manage work health and safety risks
- Confined spaces
- Managing the work environment and facilities
- How to prevent falls at workplaces
What you can do
In response to these recent and impending changes it is crucial that an employer or person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU)* and the PCBU’s Officers* (ie. Directors, Managers, etc) review and update their safety management system to ensure legislative compliance, but more importantly to ensure that they are effective in keeping workers* safe.
* New terms used in the WHS Act 2011.
The review should include consideration as to whether your current OHS activities and processes provide evidence of “due diligence” (as described in the OHS Amendment Act 2011) and that they demonstrate your organisation are doing what is “reasonably practicable” (as described in the OHS Amendment Act 2011).
Examples of OHS activities and processes include:
- Hazard reporting
- Risk assessment and control
- Incident reporting and investigation
- Training
- Contractor management
- Consultation and communication
- Audits and inspections
