Safe Work Australia seeks input on proposed model Code of Practice

Safe Work Australia is developing a new model Code of Practice on biological hazards, and public consultation on the draft model Code is open now. Practical guidance will help employers meet legal obligations when managing exposure to viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi such as mould.

Quick summary

• Safe Work Australia has released a draft for comment covering biological hazards at work.
• Proposed advice applies to every industry where exposure is reasonably foreseeable, not just clinical settings.
• Submissions are welcome from employers, unions, regulators, researchers, legal specialists and the general public.
• Coverage reaches into construction, farming, waste handling, aged care, food production and laboratory environments.

What the draft model Code covers

Guidance within the document offers practical advice to employers on managing the risks associated with biological hazards in the workplace. Content is designed to sit alongside existing safety legislation rather than replace it.

According to Safe Work Australia, biological hazards — including viruses, bacteria, parasites, and certain types of fungi (such as mould) — turn up in almost every Australian industry. Exposure can occur through inhalation, skin contact, ingestion, needlestick injury or contact with contaminated surfaces and animals.

The proposed model Code is extensive in scope and aims to be relevant to all workplaces that pose a risk of exposure to biological hazards for both workers and others. Practical control measures, hygiene arrangements and incident response steps all feature within the draft.

Why industry consultation matters

“To support further development, we are seeking a wide range of views on the draft model Code through public consultation,” Safe Work Australia said.

“Safe Work Australia welcomes submissions from all interested stakeholders, including duty holders, regulators, government agencies, unions, workers, legal professionals, researchers, employer representatives, employers, members of the public and other parties.”

Industry feedback shapes final wording, examples and the depth of technical detail. Comparable consultation processes have influenced other codes, such as the Wine Industry Code of Practice proposed by the heavy vehicle regulator.

Which sectors face biological hazard exposure?

• Construction industry – disturbed soil, stagnant water, rodent droppings and legacy contamination on demolition sites
• Manufacturing industry – aerosols, metalworking fluids and poorly maintained cooling towers inside production plants
• Agriculture industry – livestock handling, animal effluent and zoonotic infection risk affecting farm crews
• Aged care industry – close personal contact during bathing, feeding and daily support tasks
• Waste and recycling industry – sharps, contaminated loads and decomposing organics at transfer stations
• Laboratory and research industry – deliberate handling of micro-organisms, cell cultures and clinical specimens

What employers can do before finalisation

Waiting for a published version is not necessary. Assessing current controls now — ventilation, personal protective equipment, cleaning schedules, vaccination programs and reporting pathways — puts businesses ahead of any change.

Documented procedures remain the backbone of defensible safety systems. Our Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) templates help supervisors capture hazard controls, task steps and sign-off records for high risk activities.

Recent examples show how detailed these publications become once finalised, including model codes of practice for elevating work platforms and tower cranes. A similar shift occurred with the Silica Dust Code of Practice update, where employers had to lift monitoring and hygiene standards quickly.

Making a submission

Comments can be lodged through the consultation portal hosted by Safe Work Australia, where the full draft and supporting material sit together. Industry associations, employer groups and unions frequently prepare collective responses, so joining an existing submission is another option for smaller businesses.

Protecting health across diverse settings depends on guidance that reflects real conditions on site, in plants and inside care facilities. State and territory health regulators, alongside safety inspectors, will eventually apply the finalised material during compliance activity — making early input a genuine opportunity for practitioners.