The Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA) is urging the government to provide greater clarity and detail around the proposed health and safety reforms announced this week by the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden.
While the Minister has signalled several areas of reform, including scaffolding certification, the pre-qualification system, and overlapping duties in multi-PCBU workplaces, the announcements to date lack specific timelines and implementation details.
“This trickle-down approach to policy announcements is less than helpful,” says EMA Manager of Workplace Relations Paul Jarvie. “Businesses are looking for certainty and direction, not vague signals of change. We need to understand what’s coming, when, and how it will affect workplace operations.”
Among the topics flagged for future reform are:
- Scaffolding requirements and certification
- Pre-qualification systems
- Overlapping duties in multi-PCBU workplaces, which may be formalised through an Approved Code of Practice (ACOP). If adopted, compliance with the ACOP would be deemed compliance with the legislation, satisfying the requirement to take reasonably practicable steps.
Another announcement this week from the Minister focused on machine guarding, proposing a shift towards a more risk-based and flexible approach. This would allow a broader range of tools and methods to be used to protect workers.
In addition, a key area of focus is atmospheric contaminants, including fumes, dust and particulates. A review of the Workplace Exposure Standards is proposed, with particular attention to flour dust, softwood and hardwood dust, and welding fumes.
“The Minister’s intent appears to be simplifying and clarifying duties for businesses, not reducing safety standards,” Jarvie says. “That’s a positive direction, but as always, the devil will be in the detail. We need robust discussion and thorough research before these changes are implemented.”
The EMA will be an active participant in these discussions to ensure the voice of employers is heard and that reforms are practical, effective and aligned with business realities.