Commonwealth Numbered Acts Commonwealth Numbered Acts
No. 137, 2011
An Act relating to work health and safety, and for related purposes
Contents
Division 1--Introduction 1
1............ Short title............................................................................................. 1
2............ Commencement................................................................................... 2
Division 2--Object 3
3............ Object.................................................................................................. 3
Division 3--Interpretation 4
Subdivision 1--Definitions 4
4............ Definitions.......................................................................................... 4
Subdivision 2--Other important terms 10
5............ Meaning of person conducting a business or undertaking............... 10
6............ Meaning of supply............................................................................ 11
7............ Meaning of worker........................................................................... 11
8............ Meaning of workplace...................................................................... 15
9............ Examples and notes........................................................................... 15
Division 4--Application of Act 16
10.......... Act binds the Commonwealth........................................................... 16
11.......... Extraterritorial application................................................................. 16
12.......... Scope................................................................................................ 16
12A....... Act does not apply to certain vessels, structures and facilities........... 18
12B....... Duty to consult etc. where law of more than one jurisdiction applies to the same matter 19
12C....... Act not to prejudice national security................................................ 19
12D....... Act not to prejudice Australia's defence............................................ 19
12E........ Act not to prejudice certain police operations.................................... 20
12F........ Interaction with Commonwealth criminal law................................... 21
Part 2--Health and safety duties 22
Division 1--Introductory 22
Subdivision 1--Principles that apply to duties 22
13.......... Principles that apply to duties............................................................ 22
14.......... Duties not transferrable..................................................................... 22
15.......... Person may have more than 1 duty................................................... 22
16.......... More than 1 person can have a duty.................................................. 22
17.......... Management of risks......................................................................... 23
Subdivision 2--What is reasonably practicable 23
18.......... What is reasonably practicable in ensuring health and safety........... 23
Division 2--Primary duty of care 24
19.......... Primary duty of care.......................................................................... 24
Division 3--Further duties of persons conducting businesses or undertakings 26
20.......... Duty of persons conducting businesses or undertakings involving management or control of workplaces 26
21.......... Duty of persons conducting businesses or undertakings involving management or control of fixtures, fittings or plant at workplaces........................................................................................ 26
22.......... Duties of persons conducting businesses or undertakings that design plant, substances or structures 27
23.......... Duties of persons conducting businesses or undertakings that manufacture plant, substances or structures 28
24.......... Duties of persons conducting businesses or undertakings that import plant, substances or structures 30
25.......... Duties of persons conducting businesses or undertakings that supply plant, substances or structures 32
26.......... Duty of persons conducting businesses or undertakings that install, construct or commission plant or structures 33
Division 4--Duty of officers, workers and other persons 35
27.......... Duty of officers................................................................................. 35
28.......... Duties of workers............................................................................. 36
29.......... Duties of other persons at the workplace.......................................... 37
Division 5--Offences and penalties 38
30.......... Health and safety duty....................................................................... 38
31.......... Reckless conduct--Category 1......................................................... 38
32.......... Failure to comply with health and safety duty--Category 2.............. 38
33.......... Failure to comply with health and safety duty--Category 3.............. 39
34.......... Exceptions......................................................................................... 39
Part 3--Incident notification 41
35.......... What is a notifiable incident.............................................................. 41
36.......... What is a serious injury or illness..................................................... 41
37.......... What is a dangerous incident............................................................ 41
38.......... Duty to notify of notifiable incidents................................................. 42
39.......... Duty to preserve incident sites.......................................................... 43
Part 4--Authorisations 45
40.......... Meaning of authorised...................................................................... 45
41.......... Requirements for authorisation of workplaces.................................. 45
42.......... Requirements for authorisation of plant or substance........................ 45
43.......... Requirements for authorisation of work............................................ 46
44.......... Requirements for prescribed qualifications or experience................. 46
45.......... Requirement to comply with conditions of authorisation.................. 47
Part 5--Consultation, representation and participation 48
Division 1--Consultation, co-operation and co-ordination between duty holders 48
46.......... Duty to consult with other duty holders............................................ 48
Division 2--Consultation with workers 49
47.......... Duty to consult workers.................................................................... 49
48.......... Nature of consultation....................................................................... 49
49.......... When consultation is required........................................................... 50
Division 3--Health and safety representatives 51
Subdivision 1--Request for election of health and safety representatives 51
50.......... Request for election of health and safety representative.................... 51
Subdivision 2--Determination of work groups 51
51.......... Determination of work groups.......................................................... 51
52.......... Negotiations for agreement for work group...................................... 51
53.......... Notice to workers.............................................................................. 52
54.......... Failure of negotiations....................................................................... 53
Subdivision 3--Multiple-business work groups 54
55.......... Determination of work groups of multiple businesses...................... 54
56.......... Negotiation of agreement for work groups of multiple businesses... 54
57.......... Notice to workers.............................................................................. 55
58.......... Withdrawal from negotiations or agreement involving multiple businesses 56
59.......... Effect of Subdivision on other arrangements.................................... 56
Subdivision 4--Election of health and safety representatives 56
60.......... Eligibility to be elected...................................................................... 56
61.......... Procedure for election of health and safety representatives............... 57
62.......... Eligibility to vote............................................................................... 57
63.......... When election not required................................................................ 57
64.......... Term of office of health and safety representative............................. 58
65.......... Disqualification of health and safety representatives......................... 58
66.......... Immunity of health and safety representatives................................... 59
67.......... Deputy health and safety representatives........................................... 59
Subdivision 5--Powers and functions of health and safety representatives 60
68.......... Powers and functions of health and safety representatives................ 60
69.......... Powers and functions generally limited to the particular work group 61
Subdivision 6--Obligations of person conducting business or undertaking to health and safety representatives 62
70.......... General obligations of person conducting business or undertaking.. 62
71.......... Exceptions from obligations under section 70(1).............................. 64
72.......... Obligation to train health and safety representatives.......................... 65
73.......... Obligation to share costs if multiple businesses or undertakings...... 66
74.......... List of health and safety representatives............................................ 66
Division 4--Health and safety committees 68
75.......... Health and safety committees............................................................ 68
76.......... Constitution of committee................................................................. 68
77.......... Functions of committee..................................................................... 69
78.......... Meetings of committee...................................................................... 69
79.......... Duties of person conducting business or undertaking....................... 69
Division 5--Issue resolution 71
80.......... Parties to an issue.............................................................................. 71
81.......... Resolution of health and safety issues............................................... 71
82.......... Referral of issue to regulator for resolution by inspector.................. 72
Division 6--Right to cease or direct cessation of unsafe work 73
83.......... Definition of cease work under this Division.................................... 73
84.......... Right of worker to cease unsafe work............................................... 73
85.......... Health and safety representative may direct that unsafe work cease.. 73
86.......... Worker to notify if ceases work........................................................ 74
87.......... Alternative work............................................................................... 74
88.......... Continuity of engagement of worker................................................. 75
89.......... Request to regulator to appoint inspector to assist............................. 75
Division 7--Provisional improvement notices 76
90.......... Provisional improvement notices...................................................... 76
91.......... Provisional improvement notice to be in writing............................... 76
92.......... Contents of provisional improvement notice..................................... 77
93.......... Provisional improvement notice may give directions to remedy contravention 77
94.......... Minor changes to provisional improvement notice............................ 77
95.......... Issue of provisional improvement notice........................................... 78
96.......... Health and safety representative may cancel notice........................... 78
97.......... Display of provisional improvement notice....................................... 78
98.......... Formal irregularities or defects in notice........................................... 78
99.......... Offence to contravene a provisional improvement notice.................. 79
100........ Request for review of provisional improvement notice..................... 79
101........ Regulator to appoint inspector to review notice................................. 79
102........ Decision of inspector on review of provisional improvement notice. 80
Division 8--Part not to apply to prisoners 81
103........ Part does not apply to prisoners........................................................ 81
Part 6--Discriminatory, coercive and misleading conduct 82
Division 1--Prohibition of discriminatory, coercive or misleading conduct 82
104........ Prohibition of discriminatory conduct............................................... 82
105........ What is discriminatory conduct........................................................ 82
106........ What is a prohibited reason.............................................................. 83
107........ Prohibition of requesting, instructing, inducing, encouraging, authorising or assisting discriminatory conduct 84
108........ Prohibition of coercion or inducement.............................................. 85
109........ Misrepresentation.............................................................................. 86
Division 2--Criminal proceedings in relation to discriminatory conduct 87
110........ Proof of discriminatory conduct........................................................ 87
111........ Order for compensation or reinstatement.......................................... 87
Division 3--Civil proceedings in relation to discriminatory or coercive conduct 88
112........ Civil proceedings in relation to engaging in or inducing discriminatory or coercive conduct 88
113........ Procedure for civil actions for discriminatory conduct...................... 89
Division 4--General 90
114........ General provisions relating to orders................................................ 90
115........ Prohibition of multiple actions.......................................................... 90
Part 7--Workplace entry by WHS entry permit holders 91
Division 1--Introductory 91
116........ Definitions........................................................................................ 91
Division 2--Entry to inquire into suspected contraventions 92
117........ Entry to inquire into suspected contraventions.................................. 92
118........ Rights that may be exercised while at workplace.............................. 92
119........ Notice of entry.................................................................................. 93
120........ Entry to inspect employee records or information held by another person 94
Division 3--Entry to consult and advise workers 95
121........ Entry to consult and advise workers................................................. 95
122........ Notice of entry.................................................................................. 95
Division 4--Requirements for WHS entry permit holders 96
123........ Contravening WHS entry permit conditions..................................... 96
124........ WHS entry permit holder must also hold permit under other law..... 96
125........ WHS entry permit to be available for inspection............................... 96
126........ When right may be exercised............................................................ 96
127........ Where the right may be exercised...................................................... 97
128........ Work health and safety requirements................................................ 97
129........ Residential premises.......................................................................... 97
130........ WHS entry permit holder not required to disclose names of workers 97
Division 5--WHS entry permits 99
131........ Application for WHS entry permit.................................................... 99
132........ Consideration of application.............................................................. 99
133........ Eligibility criteria............................................................................... 99
134........ Issue of WHS entry permit............................................................... 99
135........ Conditions on WHS entry permit.................................................... 100
136........ Term of WHS entry permit............................................................. 100
137........ Expiry of WHS entry permit........................................................... 100
138........ Application to revoke WHS entry permit........................................ 100
139........ Authorising authority must permit WHS entry permit holder to show cause 101
140........ Determination of application........................................................... 102
Division 6--Dealing with disputes 103
141........ Application for assistance of inspector to resolve dispute............... 103
142........ Authorising authority may deal with a dispute about a right of entry under this Act 103
143........ Contravening order made to deal with dispute................................ 104
Division 7--Prohibitions 105
144........ Person must not refuse or delay entry of WHS entry permit holder 105
145........ Person must not hinder or obstruct WHS entry permit holder........ 105
146........ WHS entry permit holder must not delay, hinder or obstruct any person or disrupt work at workplace 105
147........ Misrepresentations about things authorised by this Part................. 106
148........ Unauthorised use or disclosure of information or documents......... 106
Division 8--General 108
149........ Return of WHS entry permits......................................................... 108
150........ Union to provide information to authorising authority.................... 108
151........ Register of WHS entry permit holders............................................ 109
Part 8--The regulator 110
Division 1--Functions of regulator 110
152........ Functions of regulator..................................................................... 110
153........ Powers of regulator......................................................................... 110
154........ Delegation by regulator................................................................... 111
Division 2--Powers of regulator to obtain information 112
155........ Powers of regulator to obtain information....................................... 112
Part 9--Securing compliance 114
Division 1--Appointment of inspectors 114
156........ Appointment of inspectors.............................................................. 114
157........ Identity cards................................................................................... 114
158........ Accountability of inspectors............................................................ 114
159........ Suspension and ending of appointment of inspectors..................... 115
Division 2--Functions and powers of inspectors 116
160........ Functions and powers of inspectors................................................ 116
161........ Conditions on inspectors' compliance powers................................ 116
162........ Inspectors subject to regulator's directions..................................... 116
Division 3--Powers relating to entry 117
Subdivision 1--General powers of entry 117
163........ Powers of entry............................................................................... 117
164........ Notification of entry........................................................................ 117
165........ General powers on entry................................................................. 118
165A..... Powers relating to electronic equipment.......................................... 119
165B..... Expert assistance to operate electronic equipment........................... 120
166........ Persons assisting inspectors............................................................ 121
Subdivision 2--Search warrants 121
167........ Search warrants............................................................................... 121
168........ Announcement before entry on warrant.......................................... 122
169........ Copy of warrant to be given to person with management or control of place 123
Subdivision 3--Limitation on entry powers 123
170........ Places used for residential purposes................................................ 123
Subdivision 4--Specific powers on entry 123
171........ Power to require production of documents and answers to questions 123
172........ Abrogation of privilege against self-incrimination.......................... 124
173........ Warning to be given........................................................................ 125
174........ Powers to copy and retain documents............................................. 125
175........ Power to seize evidence etc............................................................. 126
176........ Inspector's power to seize dangerous workplaces and things......... 126
177........ Powers supporting seizure.............................................................. 127
178........ Receipt for seized things................................................................. 128
179........ Forfeiture of seized things............................................................... 128
180........ Return of seized things.................................................................... 130
181........ Access to seized things................................................................... 130
Division 4--Damage and compensation 131
182........ Damage etc. to be minimised........................................................... 131
183........ Inspector to give notice of damage.................................................. 131
184........ Compensation................................................................................. 131
Division 5--Other matters 133
185........ Power to require name and address................................................. 133
186........ Inspector may take affidavits........................................................... 133
187........ Attendance of inspector at coronial inquests................................... 134
Division 6--Offences in relation to inspectors 135
188........ Offence to hinder or obstruct inspector........................................... 135
189........ Offence to impersonate inspector.................................................... 135
190........ Offence to assault, threaten or intimidate inspector......................... 135
Part 10--Enforcement measures 136
Division 1--Improvement notices 136
191........ Issue of improvement notices.......................................................... 136
192........ Contents of improvement notices.................................................... 136
193........ Compliance with improvement notice............................................. 137
194........ Extension of time for compliance with improvement notices.......... 137
Division 2--Prohibition notices 138
195........ Power to issue prohibition notice.................................................... 138
196........ Contents of prohibition notice......................................................... 138
197........ Compliance with prohibition notice................................................. 139
Division 3--Non-disturbance notices 140
198........ Issue of non-disturbance notice....................................................... 140
199........ Contents of non-disturbance notice................................................. 140
200........ Compliance with non-disturbance notice......................................... 141
201........ Issue of subsequent notices............................................................. 141
Division 4--General requirements applying to notices 142
202........ Application of Division................................................................... 142
203........ Notice to be in writing..................................................................... 142
204........ Directions in notices........................................................................ 142
205........ Recommendations in notice............................................................. 142
206........ Changes to notice by inspector........................................................ 142
207........ Regulator may vary or cancel notice................................................ 143
208........ Formal irregularities or defects in notice......................................... 143
209........ Issue and giving of notice............................................................... 143
210........ Display of notice............................................................................. 144
Division 5--Remedial action 145
211........ When regulator may carry out action............................................... 145
212........ Power of the regulator to take other remedial action........................ 145
213........ Costs of remedial or other action..................................................... 145
Division 6--Injunctions 146
214........ Application of Division................................................................... 146
215........ Injunctions for noncompliance with notices.................................... 146
Part 11--Enforceable undertakings 147
216........ Regulator may accept WHS undertakings....................................... 147
217........ Notice of decision and reasons for decision.................................... 147
218........ When a WHS undertaking is enforceable........................................ 147
219........ Compliance with WHS undertaking................................................ 147
220........ Contravention of WHS undertaking................................................ 148
221........ Withdrawal or variation of WHS undertaking................................. 148
222........ Proceeding for alleged contravention.............................................. 149
Part 12--Review of decisions 150
Division 1--Reviewable decisions 150
223........ Which decisions are reviewable...................................................... 150
Division 2--Internal review 155
224........ Application for internal review........................................................ 155
225........ Internal reviewer............................................................................. 155
226........ Decision of internal reviewer.......................................................... 155
227........ Decision on internal review............................................................. 156
228........ Stays of reviewable decisions on internal review............................ 156
Division 3--External review 158
229........ Application for external review....................................................... 158
Part 13--Legal proceedings 159
Division 1--General matters 159
230........ Prosecutions.................................................................................... 159
231........ Procedure if prosecution is not brought.......................................... 159
232........ Limitation period for prosecutions.................................................. 161
233........ Multiple contraventions of health and safety duty provision........... 162
Division 2--Sentencing for offences 163
234........ Application of this Division............................................................ 163
235........ Orders generally.............................................................................. 163
236........ Adverse publicity orders................................................................. 163
237........ Orders for restoration...................................................................... 164
238........ Work health and safety project orders............................................. 164
239........ Release on the giving of a court-ordered WHS undertaking........... 165
240........ Injunctions...................................................................................... 165
241........ Training orders................................................................................ 166
242........ Offence to fail to comply with order............................................... 166
Division 3--Infringement notices 167
243........ Infringement notices........................................................................ 167
243A..... Matters to be included in an infringement notice............................. 167
243B..... Extension of time to pay amount..................................................... 169
243C..... Withdrawal of an infringement notice............................................. 169
243D..... Effect of payment of amount........................................................... 171
243E...... Effect of this Division..................................................................... 171
Division 4--Offences by bodies corporate 173
244........ Imputing conduct to bodies corporate............................................. 173
Division 5--The Commonwealth 174
245........ Offences and the Commonwealth................................................... 174
246........ WHS civil penalty provisions and the Commonwealth................... 174
247........ Officers........................................................................................... 175
248........ Responsible agency for the Commonwealth................................... 175
Division 6--Public authorities 177
249........ Application to public authorities that are bodies corporate.............. 177
250........ Proceedings against public authorities............................................. 177
251........ Imputing conduct to public authorities............................................ 177
252........ Officer of public authority............................................................... 177
253........ Proceedings against successors to public authorities....................... 178
Division 7--WHS civil penalty provisions 179
254........ When is a provision a WHS civil penalty provision........................ 179
255........ Proceedings for contravention of WHS civil penalty provision...... 179
256........ Involvement in contravention treated in same way as actual contravention 179
257........ Contravening a civil penalty provision is not an offence................. 180
258........ Civil proceeding rules and procedure to apply................................ 180
259........ Proceeding for a contravention of a WHS civil penalty provision... 180
260........ Proceeding may be brought by the regulator or an inspector........... 180
261........ Limitation period for WHS civil penalty proceedings..................... 181
262........ Recovery of a monetary penalty...................................................... 181
263........ Civil double jeopardy...................................................................... 181
264........ Criminal proceedings during civil proceedings............................... 181
265........ Criminal proceedings after civil proceedings................................... 181
266........ Evidence given in proceedings for contravention of WHS civil penalty provision not admissible in criminal proceedings........................................................................................................ 182
Division 8--Civil liability not affected by this Act 183
267........ Civil liability not affected by this Act.............................................. 183
Part 14--General 184
Division 1--General provisions 184
268........ Offence to give false or misleading information.............................. 184
269........ Act does not affect legal professional privilege............................... 184
270........ Immunity from liability................................................................... 184
271........ Confidentiality of information......................................................... 184
272........ No contracting out........................................................................... 186
273........ Person not to levy workers............................................................. 186
273A..... Conferral of jurisdiction.................................................................. 186
273B..... Application of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003....................... 188
Division 2--Codes of practice 189
274........ Approved codes of practice............................................................. 189
275........ Use of codes of practice in proceedings.......................................... 190
Division 3--Regulation-making powers 190
276........ Regulation-making powers............................................................. 190
Schedule 1--Application of Act to dangerous goods and high risk plant 192
Schedule 2--The regulator and local tripartite consultation arrangements and other local arrangements 193
Part 1--Preliminary 193
1............ Definitions...................................................................................... 193
Part 2--The Commission 194
2............ Functions........................................................................................ 194
Part 3--Comcare 195
3............ Annual reports................................................................................ 195
Part 4--Other persons 196
4............ Annual reports................................................................................ 196
Schedule 3--Regulation-making powers 197
1............ Duties.............................................................................................. 197
2............ Incidents.......................................................................................... 197
3............ Plant, substances or structures........................................................ 197
4............ Protection and welfare of workers.................................................. 198
5............ Hazards and risks............................................................................ 198
6............ Records and notices........................................................................ 198
7............ Authorisations................................................................................. 198
8............ Work groups................................................................................... 199
9............ Health and safety committees and health and safety representatives 199
10.......... Issue resolution............................................................................... 199
11.......... WHS entry permits......................................................................... 200
12.......... Identity cards................................................................................... 200
13.......... Forfeiture........................................................................................ 200
14.......... Review of decisions........................................................................ 200
Work Health and Safety Act 2011
No. 137, 2011
An Act relating to work health and safety, and for related purposes
[Assented to 29 November 2011]
The Parliament of Australia enacts:
[Minister's second reading speech made in--
House of Representatives on 6 July 2011
Senate on 31 October 2011]
|
(146/11) |