OHS Webinar Series
“What has changed in the 2017 OH&S
Regulations?”
Part I
Welcome!
Goals of this Webinar
1. To leave knowing what the new regulations
are and how to cite them
2. To feel confident knowing what will remain
the same in the new regulations, and what
you still need to remember (even if it hasn’t
changed!)
3. To understand how the changes will improve
and/ affect your role at the workplace
This session
1. Brief history of the OHS Regulations
2. Why were the OHS Regulations changed?
3. Who is affected by the changes?
4. What hasn’t changed?
5. What has changed?
• Admin Changes
• 3.1 Manual Handling
• 3.6 High Risk Work
• 4.1 Hazardous Substances
6. Questions?
Brief history of the
OHS Regulations
“there should be a statutory duty on
every employer to consult with …
employees or their representatives at
the workplace on measures for
promoting safety and health at work,
and to provide for the participation of
employees in the development of such
measures” (UK Robens Report, para
70).
Why were the OHS
Regulations changed?
Who is affected by the
changes?
What hasn’t changed?
Consultation Rights
Issue Resolution Procedures
What has changed?
For a summary see:
http://www.ohsrep.org.au/law-rights/ohslegislation/regulations/2017-regs-summary-of-changes
Admin changes
• The numbering system:
• With each chapter having separate numbering, the
regulations begin at reg 1 and end at reg 583
• (eg Noise reg 3.2.4 Control of exposure to noise is
now reg 34)
• Subdivisions covering duties of self-employed
persons have been integrated into the
subdivisions covering duties of employers
3.1 Manual
Handling
The title has
changed!
The definition has
been redrafted
There has also been a couple of
changes to what is required for hazard
identification and review of controls…
This bit is now
gone
This bit has been taken away
3.6 High Risk Work
Division 1- Requirements to be licensed
Division 2- Training
Division 3- Assessments of competency
WorkSafe can
now impose
terms and
conditions for
assessing
competency
Schedule 3- High
risk work licence
classes
Part 1 - Licence classes for scaffolding and rigging
Scaffolding and rigging
Basic scaffolding
Intermediate scaffolding
Advanced scaffolding
Dogging
Basic rigging
Intermediate rigging
Advanced rigging
Part 2 - Licence classes for crane, hoist and forklift truck operation
Crane and hoist operation
Tower Crane operation
Self-erecting tower crane operation
Derrick crane operation
Portal boom crane operation
Bridge and gantry crane operation
Vehicle loading crane operation
Non-slewing mobile crane operation
Slewing mobile crane operation (up to 20 tonnes)
Slewing mobile crane operation (up to 60 tonnes)
Slewing mobile crane operation (up to 100 tonnes)
Slewing mobile crane operation (open/over 100 tonnes)
Reach Stacker
Boom-type elevating work platform operation
Materials hoist (cantilever platform) operation
Hoist (personnel and materials) operation
Concrete placing boom operation
Forklift truck operation
Order-picking forklift truck operation
Part 3 - Licence classes for pressure equipment operation
Pressure equipment operation
Standard boiler operation
Advanced boiler operation
Turbine operation
Reciprocating steam engine operation
Changes to the
scope of
dogging licence
Changes to the
definition of
dogging licence
Changes to
order picking
forklift licence
A new licence
class for reach
stackers!
No longer having to
hold a forklift truck
license to operate
low-lift pallet trucks.
Changes to
crane operation
licence
Changes to
boiler
operation
license
Schedule 4- Pressure
equipment for which
high risk work licence
is not required
Expansion for
when a boiler
licence is not
required
More
Information
Licence for high-risk work application forms can be collected from Australia Post
outlets, downloaded from WorkSafe website or ordered from the Worksafe Advisory
Service (03 9641 1444 or 1800 136 089). There are different forms for different
licences.
Licensing fees vary depending on the type and class of licence. To check on the
progress of an application call the Licensing Branch on 1300 852 562 or email
[email protected].
Licences are issued for a period of five years, and are valid in every Australian state
and territory.
http://www.ohsrep.org.au/law-rights/ohs-legislation/regulations/3.6-high-risk-work
4.1 Hazardous
Substances
Change to
definition of
container
References to
Approved Criteria for
Classifying Hazardous
Substances and HSIS
removed
AgVet
requirements
aligned with Model
WHS approach
What’s in the GHS?
The GHS, classification and labelling of chemicals
includes:
• Signal words – describing the hazard level associated
with the chemical: 'warning' or 'danger‘
• Hazard statement – which describes a chemical's main
health effects. The language used is straightforward
and familiar, e.g. 'causes serious eye irritation‘
• Precautionary statement – which recommends
measures to avoid or minimise risks of chemical
exposure. Precautionary statements relate specifically
to prevention, response, storage and disposal of
chemicals
• Safety data sheets – The SDS contains 16
standardised headings with useful information such as
health effects, first aid measures and required controls
to minimise exposure
• Pictograms – There are nine symbols which
communicate the classification of chemicals (here are
Information on GHS
WorkSafe Victoria
• May 2017 leaflet on the GHS (url too long!)
Safe Work Australia – www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au
• General info: https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/chemicals
• Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals
(GHS) information sheet
https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/globally-harmonised-systemclassification-and-labelling-chemicals-ghs-information-sheet
• https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/information-ghs-manufacturersimporters-suppliers-and-users-workplace-hazardous-chemicals
• Model Codes of Practice:
• Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace;
• Labelling of workplace hazardous chemicals
• Preparation of safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals
(from here:
https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/resources_publications/modelcodes-of-practice )
OHS Reps@Work
A summary of the regulations was done when these
were consolidated in 2007.
We are currently updating each chapter to reflect the
changes in the 2017 regulations.
• Regulations section:
www.ohsrep.org.au/law-rights/ohslegislation/regulations
Links to WorkSafe guides on the 2017 regs are on
this page
• Summary of the changes: www.ohsrep.org.au/lawrights/ohs-legislation/regulations/2017-regssummary-of-changes
Questions?