INDUSTRY NEWS

Career Opportunities: 30 June 2011

The Australasian College of Health and Safety is a dynamic and well established Registered Training Organisation (RTO) based at Wellington Point on Brisbane's Bayside. The College is a recognised leading provider of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) training, development and consultation services in Australasia.

Presently we have two full time positions available for trainer / assessors looking for an immediate start. Experience in the following areas is preferred;

• Certificate IV in OHS
• Safety Representatives
• Confined Space
• Work at Heights
• Fire Safety
• Apply First Aid
• Low Voltage Rescue
• General Induction

We offer a competitive salary package, based on your experience and skill level.

If you possess strong industry background and a comprehensive working knowledge of any of the above training packages, this may be the position for you.

Apply now by forwarding your resume to:

Email: Karen@austchs.com
Post: Attention: Karen
PO Box 2291,
Wellington Point QLD 4160

Update for all WHSO's: 25 May 2011

The Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008 has been amended to extend the certification of Workplace Health and Safety Officer's (WHSO) in lead up to the commencement of the new National harmonisation of WHS laws. The extension applies to all WHSO's whose recertification date falls on or after 13 May 2011. Eligible WHSO's will receive an extension of certification until 31 December 2011. WHSQ will contact all applicable WHSO's to advise of the extension.

As a result of the above amendment, it is no longer necessary for WHSO's approaching their expiry date to attend the WHSO Recertification course.

For further information regarding the changes please refer to the WHSQ website.

Safe Work Australia is developing model work health and safety laws as part of an initiative of the Council of Australian Governments. This initiative demonstrates a commitment to improving the work health and safety of all Australian workers and enhancing productivity.

The Commonwealth and each state and territory government have agreed to harmonise their work health and safety laws (including Regulations and Codes of Practice) so that work health and safety laws are similar in each jurisdiction. The Commonwealth, states and territories are responsible for making and enforcing their own work health and safety laws. Although there are many similarities, there are also some differences between the laws that can cause confusion. Australian workers should be entitled to the same work health and safety standards, wherever they work .

This regulatory inconsistency is being addressed through an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) where, for the first time, governments from each state and territory and the Commonwealth have formally committed to the harmonisation of work health and safety laws. The intention is to harmonise these laws (including the Regulations and Codes of Practice that underpin them) to deliver the same work health and safety protections to all Australians.

Each jurisdiction will now go through the process of enacting legislation. The intention is to have mirror laws enacted in each jurisdiction. Minor but necessary variations may be made consistent with relevant drafting protocols and to achieve consistency with other laws and processes operating within a jurisdiction.

Each state and territory and the Commonwealth will be required to enact laws that reflect the model work health and safety laws by the end of 2011. It is expected that all laws will commence on 1 January 2012.

Some model Codes of Practice may be developed and implemented at the same time as the model WHS Regulations. However, development and implementation of further model Codes of Practice and guidance material will continue beyond December 2011.

(Source:  www.worksafe.qld.gov.au)