New Work Health and Safety laws come into effect 31 March 2022

The new Work Health and Safety Act 2020 marks the biggest change to WA’s occupational health and safety legislation in more than three decades and places increased responsibilities and penalties on businesses for non-compliance, as it brings WA into line with other Australian states and territories.

WA Industrial Relations Minister, Bill Johnston has now advised the new Work Health and Safety Regulations 2022 have been published in the Government Gazette and that the Work and Safety Act 2020 and regulations will come into effect on 31 March 2022.

The laws are:

  • Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022
  • Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022
  • Work Health and Safety (Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Operations) Regulations 2022
  • Petroleum (Submerged Lands) (Pipelines) Regulations 2022
  • Mines Safety and Inspection Levy Amendment Regulations 2022; and
  • Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Safety Levies Regulations 2022

The laws can be found on the Western Australian Legislation website at www.legislation.wa.gov.au .

There are also consequential amendments to regulations that are administered by different agencies:

  • Attorney General Regulations Amendment (Work Health and Safety) Regulations 2022
  • Commerce Regulations Amendment (Work Health and Safety) Regulations 2022
  • Environment Regulations Amendment (Work Health and Safety) Regulations 2022
  • Industrial Relations Commission Amendment Regulations 2022
  • Mines and Petroleum Regulations Amendment (Work Health and Safety) Regulations 2022
  • Radiation Safety (General) Amendment Regulations 2022
  • Salaries and Allowances Amendment Regulations 2022
  • Transport Regulations Amendment (Work Health and Safety) Regulations 2022; and
  • Western Australian Meat Industry Authority Amendment Regulations 2022.

As part of the transition to the new laws, WorkSafe has released a statement of regulatory intent which identifies how it will transition its compliance over the first 12 months.

Further information on the laws can be found here.

You can also read the media statement announcing the changes here.