Workplace Relations
Workplace Relations » Occupational Health & Safety
On January 1, 2012, the introduction of harmonised, broader Model Workplace Health and Safety Laws will herald a major shift in the responsibilities of company managers and directors.
For the first time ‘officers’ within an employer’s organisation, encompassing directors and other managers, will be required to take active steps to know the occupational health and safety practices of their business – an obligation that makes it imperative to have correct processes in place to mitigate the risk.
The impact of the introduction of the Model Laws will vary across Australia, heightening the need for timely, practical advice on how the new laws will impact individual employers.
Our Experts
Our Experience
BP Australia
OH&S is often treated as a one-off compliance issue, but BP Australia is an example of a company that lives and breathes its OH&S management systems.
Since 2004, BP Australia has retained Corrs to analyse and advise on OH&S management and training, including ongoing comprehensive training that ensures systems are constantly reviewed and improved. BP Australia has no prosecutions in this area, and its depth of understanding of its OH&S management obligations is considered exemplary.
Laing O’Rourke
Corrs and Laing O’Rourke have successfully acted to overturn a WA Supreme Court decision that could have greatly widened employer safety responsibilities to include third party facilities – such as motels – hired for use by employees.
Laing O’Rourke faced charges when Cyclone George caused fatalities at a Pilbara mining camp in 2007. After the company‘s original acquittal was overturned on appeal, Corrs was engaged and Laing O’Rourke was successful in the Court of Appeal.
Victorian WorkCover Authority
Corrs has concluded a review of and drafted many of the regulations, compliance codes and guidance material made under the OHS Act 2004 on which the Model Work Health and Safety draft regulations are modelled.
MoreOur Thinking
Changed requirements for hazardous chemicals and registration of plant in Queensland
The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) is part of a national package of uniform work health and safety legislation. It repealed the Dangerous Goods Safety Management Act 2001 (Qld) and as of 1 January 2012 regulates dangerous goods in Queensland,
MoreThe Fair Work Act Review and key developments in enterprise bargaining
In this paper, we provide an update on the progress of the Fair Work Act Review and a round-up of some significant recent decisions dealing with enterprise bargaining and protected industrial action.
Download
A Fairer Work Act?
The government has announced the much anticipated review of the Fair Work Act. Whilst noting the act is working well at the moment this presents an opportunity to see if it can be improved.
MoreCorrs In Brief: What to Expect from the Fair Work Review
On 20 December 2011, the Federal Government announced details of its much-awaited Review of the Fair Work Act. In this In Brief, we examine the objectives and terms of reference for the Review, the key issues that are likely to be addressed, and poss
DownloadCorrs In Brief: One Month Out – Harmonisation...when?
1 January 2012, the proposed commencement date for nationally harmonised work health and safety laws, is fast approaching. Are you ready?
MoreCorrs In Brief: Harmonisation of Occupational Health & Safety Laws
Through the Council of Australian Governments, the Commonwealth and all State and Territory Governments agreed to introduce national model workplace health and safety laws by 31 December 2011.
More
OH&S – soon, same state, same laws
Business has been calling for it for a long time – harmonised OH&S laws.
More
Navigating the Fair Work Laws
As more and more companies invest overseas, the need for readily available, accurate, and detailed knowledge of labour and employment laws in multiple jurisdictions becomes an essential resource for employers and their counsel.
More
Legal Compliance in Australia
As more and more companies invest overseas, the need for readily available, accurate, and detailed knowledge of labour and employment laws in multiple jurisdictions becomes an essential resource for employers and their counsel.
More
Transition to Forward with Fairness: Labor’s Reform Agenda
This is a practical guide to these significant transitional arrangements, the full implementation of which was not complete until early 2010. This book, has ongoing relevance as a useful guide to a turbulent phase of workplace relations change.
More
Workplace Relations in the Building and Construction Industry
This book explains the significant changes that have occurred in the regulation of the workplace relations in the building and construction industry in Australia over several years.
MoreOur Experience
BP Australia
OH&S is often treated as a one-off compliance issue, but BP Australia is an example of a company that lives and breathes its OH&S management systems.
Since 2004, BP Australia has retained Corrs to analyse and advise on OH&S management and training, including ongoing comprehensive training that ensures systems are constantly reviewed and improved. BP Australia has no prosecutions in this area, and its depth of understanding of its OH&S management obligations is considered exemplary.
Laing O’Rourke
Corrs and Laing O’Rourke have successfully acted to overturn a WA Supreme Court decision that could have greatly widened employer safety responsibilities to include third party facilities – such as motels – hired for use by employees.
Laing O’Rourke faced charges when Cyclone George caused fatalities at a Pilbara mining camp in 2007. After the company‘s original acquittal was overturned on appeal, Corrs was engaged and Laing O’Rourke was successful in the Court of Appeal.
Victorian WorkCover Authority
Corrs has concluded a review of and drafted many of the regulations, compliance codes and guidance material made under the OHS Act 2004 on which the Model Work Health and Safety draft regulations are modelled.
We have advised the Authority on the implications of amendments to the OHS (Commonwealth Employees) Act 1991 in its operation to non-Commonwealth licencees and on compliance and enforcement powers of the VWA and WorkSafe inspectors. We have reviewed all of the VWA’s operating procedures to take account of the impact of Federal legislation and advised it on the implications of the National Standard for Construction Work. We have advised on implementation of the Hanks QC review of the Accident Compensation Act 1985, including advising on the drafting of amendments to that Act to give effect to the review recommendations and have assisted the Authority in relation to National OHS law harmonisation negotiations.
Our Thinking
OH&S – soon, same state, same laws
Business has been calling for it for a long time – harmonised OH&S laws.
The Fair Work Act Review and key developments in enterprise bargaining
In this paper, we provide an update on the progress of the Fair Work Act Review and a round-up of some significant recent decisions dealing with enterprise bargaining and protected industrial action.
Workplace Relations in the Building and Construction Industry
This book explains the significant changes that have occurred in the regulation of the workplace relations in the building and construction industry in Australia over several years.
Transition to Forward with Fairness: Labor’s Reform Agenda
This is a practical guide to these significant transitional arrangements, the full implementation of which was not complete until early 2010. This book, has ongoing relevance as a useful guide to a turbulent phase of workplace relations change.
Legal Compliance in Australia
As more and more companies invest overseas, the need for readily available, accurate, and detailed knowledge of labour and employment laws in multiple jurisdictions becomes an essential resource for employers and their counsel.
Navigating the Fair Work Laws
As more and more companies invest overseas, the need for readily available, accurate, and detailed knowledge of labour and employment laws in multiple jurisdictions becomes an essential resource for employers and their counsel.
Corrs In Brief: Harmonisation of Occupational Health & Safety Laws
Through the Council of Australian Governments, the Commonwealth and all State and Territory Governments agreed to introduce national model workplace health and safety laws by 31 December 2011.
A Fairer Work Act?
The government has announced the much anticipated review of the Fair Work Act. Whilst noting the act is working well at the moment this presents an opportunity to see if it can be improved.
Corrs In Brief: One Month Out – Harmonisation...when?
1 January 2012, the proposed commencement date for nationally harmonised work health and safety laws, is fast approaching. Are you ready?
Corrs In Brief: What to Expect from the Fair Work Review
On 20 December 2011, the Federal Government announced details of its much-awaited Review of the Fair Work Act. In this In Brief, we examine the objectives and terms of reference for the Review, the key issues that are likely to be addressed, and poss
Changed requirements for hazardous chemicals and registration of plant in Queensland
The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) is part of a national package of uniform work health and safety legislation. It repealed the Dangerous Goods Safety Management Act 2001 (Qld) and as of 1 January 2012 regulates dangerous goods in Queensland,
Our Experts
Heidi Roberts
Partner Melbourne +61 3 9672 3562Jack de Flamingh
Partner Sydney +61 2 9210 6192Janine Young
Partner Melbourne +61 3 9672 3254Joanna Glynn
Partner Brisbane +61 7 3228 9826John Tuck
Partner Melbourne +61 3 9672 3257Nicholas Ellery
Partner Perth +61 8 9460 1615Stephen Price
Partner Sydney +61 2 9210 6236