Adjustments for the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act):
When the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act) took effect on January 1, 2012, certain provisions were introduced to facilitate a seamless transition to the new requirements. These included transitional provisions and delayed commencement of specific clauses.
Regarding the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011:
Provisions with a commencement date of January 1, 2017.
| Key points | Commencement or transitional arrangement |
|---|---|
High risk work (HRW) - Section 726(2) | |
Reach stacker - new licence category for high risk work. | A person holding a non-slewing mobile crane licence will be able to continue HRW for the reach stacker class until 31 December 2016. From 1 January 2017, the RS HRW licence class must be held for the operation of a reach stacker. |
Asbestos - Sections 471, 472, 483 and 484 | |
Globally Harmonised System (GHS) labelling of containers and asbestos waste. | Introductory period for GHS - until 31 December 2016 (s.781). |
Hazardous chemicals - Section 781 | |
Replaces the Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code with the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) as part of the transition process to a single labelling system in Australia. | Current chemical classification and labelling provisions and GHS system will operate concurrently until 31 December 2016, after which classification and labelling will be required only in accordance with GHS (s.781). |