These guidelines are issued by the Commission for Occupational Safety and Health (the Commission).
The introduction of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 (the OSH Act) enabled the establishment of the Commission, which comprises representatives of employers, unions and government and experts. It has the function of developing the legislation and supporting guidance material and making recommendations to the Minister for implementation. To fulfil its functions, the Commission is empowered to establish advisory committees, hold public enquiries and publish and disseminate information.
The Commission's objective is to promote comprehensive and practical preventive strategies that improve the working environment of Western Australians. These guidelines have been developed through a tripartite consultative process and the views of employees and unions, along with those of government and experts, have been considered.
The OSH Act provides for the promotion, co-ordination, administration and enforcement of occupational safety and health in Western Australia. It applies to all industries with the exception of mining and petroleum. With the objective of preventing occupational injuries and diseases, the OSH Act places certain duties on employers, employees, self-employed people, manufacturers, designers, importers and suppliers. The broad duties established by the OSH Act are supported by further legislation in regulations, together with lower tiers of non statutory codes of practice and guidance notes. The Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 (the OSH Regulations) have the effect of spelling out specific requirements of the legislation. They may prescribe minimum standards and have a general application or define specific requirements of the legislation related to a particular hazard or a particular type of work. They may also allow licensing or granting of approvals and certificates. A code of practice is a document prepared for the purpose of providing: A code of practice may contain explanatory information. However, work practices included may not represent the only acceptable means of achieving the standard to which the code refers. Compliance with codes of practice is not mandatory but a code may be used by courts as the standard when assessing other methods or practices used. A code of practice does not have the same legal force as a regulation and non-compliance with it is not sufficient reason, of itself, for prosecution under the OSH Act. Further information on the legislative framework is available in the Commission’s Guidance note: General duty of care in Western Australian workplaces. The Commission welcomes the development of industry codes of practice containing technically and legally correct information to enhance standards of occupational safety and health within an industry. These guidelines have been prepared to assist with the development of industry codes of practice, where it is intended that will be submitted for approval under section 57 of the OSH Act. In Western Australia, approved codes of practice have been developed by the Commission and, following recommendations from the Commission, the Minister responsible for the OSH Act has also approved industry developed codes, and nationally developed codes of practice and standards, as codes of practice. Industry groups are encouraged to submit their industry code of practice to the Commission for its review and recommendation to the Minister that it be approved as a code of practice in Western Australia under section 57 of the OSH Act. There are many positive aspects to be gained from having industry codes of practice and industry developed technical safety and health information recognised through the approval process. Formal approval of these as codes of practice reduces the legal uncertainties where this information is used as part of a safe system of work. When approved under section 57 of the OSH Act, the documents achieve the same legal status as other approved codes of practice in Western Australia. The legal status of codes of practice Codes of practice show there are practical means of reducing the risk of work related injuries or disease in relation to an industry, activity or occupational safety and health issue. They may not provide exact solutions to occupational safety and health problems in all workplaces in an industry, but following their practical guidance should help to reduce the legal uncertainties associated with the way safe working environments are established and maintained. Approval of codes of practice takes place under section 57 of the OSH Act. This states in part: For the purpose of providing practical guidance to employers, self employed persons, employees and other persons that are subject to a under Part III of this Act, the Minister may, upon recommendation of the Commission, approve any code of practice. Section 57 also sets out processes for the approval and revision of codes of practice and the status of approved codes of practice in relation to legal proceedings. Under this: Members of industry groups are advised to carefully consider section 57 of the OSH Act, as part of their preparation for the development of industry codes of practice. It is important to gather some background information before the industry code of practice is actually written. It may also be useful to contact WorkSafe’s Policy and Education Directorate for further information on the development process and some direction on reference material and similar codes of practice that may guide your industry group. In situations where the subject area is covered by an existing code of practice, or by a national or international standard, the first preference would be to adopt that document rather than introduce a new one. In some situations, an industry code of practice may adopt and modify an existing standard to suit Western Australian legislation. Industry groups need to identify relevant parts of the OSH Act and OSH Regulations that apply to the subject area of the proposed industry code of practice. The safe work practices included in the code of practice should be consistent with parts of the legislation that may apply. This includes any standards that may be referred to in relevant regulations. For example, an industry code of practice that referred to work in confined spaces should be consistent with the general duties in Part III of the OSH Act, regulations in Part 3, Division 8 of the OSH Regulations and Australian/New Zealand Standard, AS/NZS 2865 Safe working in a confined space, which is referred to in regulation 3.85 of the OSH Regulations. Codes of practice should also be consistent with other relevant legislation. For example, an industry code of practice that refers to the disposal of hazardous waste should be consistent with public health, transport and environmental legislation, as well as the relevant occupational safety and health legislation. In the planning stage, industry groups should consider ways to produce, distribute, promote and evaluate their codes of practice. This will remain the responsibility of the industry group. It is important that copies of every approved code of practice are available within a reasonable time to people who require them and the distribution is not restricted to certain sectors of an industry, such as membership of an organisation. Once it is approved, the industry code of practice may be sold by its developers to recover the publication and distribution costs. WorkSafe will include a copy of the approved code of practice on its web site for download. Groups developing an industry code of practice should consult with: Widespread consultation early in the development process may avoid delays in the review of the code of practice by the Commission, especially where some items are controversial. When writing an industry code of practice, it should be worded as 'user friendly' as possible. Plain language is essential. Legal and technical jargon should be avoided or very clearly explained in a glossary. Good quality drawings and photographs may be used to illustrate key points. The information should be legally and technically correct. It is recommended that groups refer to current Commission codes of practice to familiarise themselves with the categories and format for drafting legal and technically correct codes of practice. These are available from WorkSafe or its website. Industry groups are encouraged to apply the risk management approach in their codes which follows the process of hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control. See regulation 3.1 of the OSH regulations. With addressing hazards, there should be emphasis on those most likely to cause injury or harm to people in the work situations to be covered by the code of practice. It is also important to note that risks should be reduced in the first instance by means other than the use of protective clothing and equipment. The emphasis should be on establishing a safe system of work using the hierarchy or 'preferred order' of control measures rather than recommending personal protective clothing and equipment as the first and only means of reducing risks. The hierarchy is outlined below. Table 1 Hierarchy or preferred order of control measures to eliminate or reduce the risk of injury or harm starting at most effective As a first step, an industry code of practice should be submitted to the Commission for its consideration and recommendation to the Minister that it become an approved code. When a code is submitted, the covering letter should include: As part of the approval process, the Commission will seek advice on: The Commission may circulate the industry code of practice for comment to experts and industry groups, such as professional associations, employer organisations, unions and training organisations. On some occasions, the Commission may call for public comment. The breadth of comment sought by the Commission will depend on whether the code of practice has been tested in the field prior to submission and the extent to which the industry group has consulted with others during the development process. Following consideration of comment received, the Commission may endorse an industry code of practice and recommend it to the Minister for approval or return it for amendment. The Commission will provide written feedback and may nominate an officer to meet with your group to assist with further development of the industry code of practice. When the Minister approves an industry code of practice under section 57 of the OSH Act, the industry group will be advised in writing. The code of practice cannot be circulated with any endorsement or statement that infers that it has been approved under section 57 of the OSH Act, until WorkSafe has arranged for publication of a notice stating the Minister’s approval in the Western Australian Government Gazette. A copy of the industry code of practice, and any document referred to in it, will be laid before each House of Parliament by the Minister. These documents will also be made available for public inspection, usually by holding copies in the WorkSafe Library. Copyright for industry codes of practice will remain with the original authors. The Commission recommends that industries review their codes of practice at least every five years. If a code is revised, then the amended code will need to be submitted to the Commission and approved in accordance with the original approval process. Where approval of the new code is supported, the Commission will also recommend to the Minister the original code is revoked as an approved code in Western Australia. To maintain approval of the code by the Minister, it should be revised whenever there are significant changes to the work practices in the industry. Industry groups can continue to provide occupational safety and health information they have developed as they have in the past. It is not compulsory for this information to be checked by the Commission or formally approved by the Minister as a code of practice under the OSH Act. However, the option is available. Obtaining approval of your safety and health information under section 57 of the OSH Act will demonstrate to an industry and the community that its legal and technical content has been independently reviewed and endorsed by the Commission. Industry groups are encouraged to pursue this option as part of an information strategy aimed at reducing work-related injuries and disease. Legislation Available from the State Law Publisher. Refer to the website at www.slp.wa.gov.au. Commission codes of practice Industry codes of practice Commission guidance notes Executive Officer Department of Commerce The relevant union or employer association. Department of Mines and Petroleum Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Australia UnionsWA Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia IncLegislative framework for occupational safety and health
The Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984
Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996
Codes of practice approved under the OSH Act
Further information
Introduction
The development process
Preparation and planning
Consultation
Writing the code
The approval process
Copyright and revising the code
Deciding whether to seek approval
Checklist of what to do
Developing an industry code of practice
1. Establish the need for a new code of practice. 2. Identify relevant legislation and standards. 3. Consult with others in the industry regarding recommended safe work practices. 4. When writing the code, use plain language and refer to the general duties in Part IV of the OSH Act and the risk management approach ie hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control approach. See regulation 3.1 of the OSH regulations. Refer to other codes approved under the OSH Act. 5. Check the accuracy of the legal and technical content. 6. Submit the industry code of practice to the Commission with the names of authors, the plans for publication, distribution and promotion and information on consultation that occurred during its development process. 7. Await written advice from the Commission and the Minister regarding approval under section 57 of the OSH Act. 8. On receiving advice from WorkSafe that the Minister has approved the code and a notice of this been published in the Western Australian Government Gazette, publish the code of practice. It should contain a statement saying it is an approved code of practice under section 57 of the OSH Act. 9. Carry out distribution and promotion plans. 10. When there are significant changes to the work practices in the industry, review the code. The Commission recommends that a general review of a code should be carried out at least every five years. 11. If revising an approved code, submit the final amended code to the Commission for its consideration and recommendation to the Minister that it become an approved code of practice. Relevant publications
Contacts
Commission for Occupational Safety and Health
PO Box 294, West Perth WA 6872
Tel.: (08) 9327 8777 – ask to speak to the Commission’s Executive Officer in Policy
Fax:(08) 9321 2148
WorkSafe Division
Level 5, 1260 Hay Street
WEST PERTH WA 6005
Tel.: 1300 307877
Fax: (08) 9321 8973
Email: safety@commerce.wa.gov.au
TTY: (08) 9327 8838
Resources Safety
First Floor, 303 Sevenoaks Street (cnr Grose Avenue)
CANNINGTON WA 6107
Tel.: (08) 9358 8002
Fax: (08) 9358 8000
Email: ResourcesSafety@dmp.wa.gov.au
Internet site: www.dmp.wa.gov.au/ResourcesSafety
180 Hay Street
EAST PERTH WA 6000
Tel.: (08) 9365 7415
Fax: (08) 9365 7550
Email: osh@cciwa.com
Internet site: www.cciwa.com
Level 4,445 Hay Street
PERTH WA 6000
Tel.: (08) 9328 7877
Fax: (08) 9328 8132
Email: unionswa@unionswa.com.au
Internet site: www.unionswa.com.au
Level 7, 12 St Georges Terrace,
PERTH WA 6000
Tel.: (08) 9325 2955
Fax: (08) 9221 3701
Internet site: www.cmewa.com.au