^{Date Published: 16 May 2011 4:15pm}

With new Model Work Health and Safety laws coming into effect in January, it is time for organisations to ensure they know how these changes will affect them.

In July 2008, COAG agreed to Regulatory and Operational Reform in the area of Occupational Health and Safety. The resulting Model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act is expected to be replicated in every jurisdiction from 1 January 2012.

Whilst each agency will be impacted differently, due to differences in current Acts, there are significant changes for most States and Territories.

Key Changes include:

• Significant penalties for breaches
• Increased due diligence required from senior executives
• Volunteers are covered by the Act
• Increased consultation requirements.

An article in the current edition of Fire Australia provides further information on the impact on Emergency Services.

Full details of the new legislation can be found at Safe Work Australia.

Catherine Dunlop, Partner Maddocks law firm, presented to AFAC Council in April to provide an overview of the key issues for Emergency Services. Maddocks have also presented an information session to emergency services, and will be delivering a session in Sydney in June.

If other jurisdictions are interested in an information seminar, please contact Judy Gouldbourn.