Work Health and Safety (WHS) ministers approve recommendations to enhance incident notification regulations

Safe Work Australia has revealed that Work Health and Safety (WHS) ministers have come to an agreement on a set of proposals to strengthen the incident notification requirements outlined in the model WHS Act.

“The changes will provide clarity and certainty of existing provisions, as well as address gaps in the current notification requirements, particularly in relation to notifications for psychosocial hazards and psychological harm, including serious workplace violence and attempted suicide,” Safe Work Australia said.

The federal safety agency has stated its intention to cooperate with the Parliamentary Counsel’s Committee in formulating changes to the model WHS Act, with the objective of completing these changes by early next year.

Safe Work Australia said any modifications will not be applicable in a jurisdiction until they are incorporated into the Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation of that jurisdiction.

Additional information is available here.