WorkSafe ACT Established

Source: Safety Concepts

The ACT Government announced recently it is overhauling Occupational Health and Safety Regulation through the establishment of a new body called WorkSafe ACT that will enhance work safety in the Territory.

In a press release from the office of the Attorney General Simon Corbell this new WorkSafe ACT will perform a crucial function and will combine the educational and compliance roles under the Commissioner for Work Safety.

The Government has committed $2.4m over the next four years to improve management structure and enhance the regulatory presence around the ACT. The funds will be used for additional inspectors as well as support staff.

This follows reforms the government has implemented to clarify the role of the work safety regulator in the community. The role of educator and regulator will be delivered by the new branch to be led by the Work Safety Commissioner. The Commissioner will be given the power to ensure people are complying with the work safety and workers compensation laws in the ACT.

Mr Corbell said the Government will now develop a detailed draft implementation plan in consultation with a range of key industry stakeholders. "The Government will also undertake reviews of the new arrangements at both six and twelve months of implementation," Mr Corbell added. "The Work Safety Commissioner has been successful in raising the profile of work safety education in the ACT. Those functions will now be expanded to assume the responsibility for regulation of work safety and workers compensation in the ACT," he said.

WorkSafe ACT is about providing better enforcement, education and compliance in Occupational Health and Safety in the ACT.