The guide will help affected employers and other duty holders ensure their compliance with the new regulations when they take effect on 18 June.

According to WorkSafe’s Executive Director of Health and Safety, Marnie Williams, the new regulations will lift safety standards and reduce red tape.

“Although the regulations are mainly the same, they do introduce a number of changes which improve Victoria’s already high workplace safety standards and, where appropriate, reduce red tape for Victorian businesses,” Ms Williams said.

“Requirements around asbestos have been strengthened to include notification of homeowners of any asbestos removal work, while some labelling requirements for hazardous substances will affect manufacturers and importers.

“Additionally, changes have been made to some high risk work licences, including the scope and fees.”

Other changes affect areas such as construction, mines, and major hazard facilities.

A guide to the new Equipment (Public Safety) Regulations 2017, which also come into effect on 18 June, is available as well.

Both guides and a range of other resources can be found at worksafe.vic.gov.au or by calling the WorkSafe Advisory Service on 1800 136 089.

Source: WorkSafe Victoria, 16 June 2017

With the new OHS Regulations 2017 due to commence in June, the compliance codes that align with the regulations are now under review. In consultation with stakeholders, WorkSafe VIC has updated the codes, and eight proposed codes are available for public comment from Monday 1 May to Friday 9 June. Find out more about public comment on the compliance codes.

OHS Regulations Changes

The new OHS Regulations 2017 are mainly the same. However, if you are in a workplace where asbestos is present; are a manufacturer or an importing supplier of hazardous substances or agricultural and veterinary chemicals; work in construction; or operate a mine or major hazard facility, you need to become aware of the changes. In most cases, compliance is required by 18 June 2017.

Most importantly, the new OHS Regulations 2017 maintain Victoria’s already high safety standards. In some high risk areas, like asbestos removal work, they improve standards. The changes also deliver significant savings to Victorian businesses in the areas of high risk work licensing and record keeping for designers and manufacturers of plant.

For some changes, transitional arrangements apply to allow duty and licence holders time to become compliant with the updated regulatory requirements.

If you are affected by the changes, WorkSafe has prepared a range of information and support resources to help you identify what to do to stay compliant when the changes take effect on 18 June 2017.

The Regulations have been renumbered with consecutive numbers, in line with the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel’s guidance on the preparation of statutory rules. Reconciliation tables are available to help compare the numbering between the 2007 Regulations and the 2017 Regulations.

For further information contact the WorkSafe Victoria Advisory Service on 1800 136 089 or at ohsregsreform@worksafe.vic.gov.au  or visit the WorkSafe Victoria website.

Source: WorkSafe Victoria, 25 April 2017