Source: http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/fullhtml/inforce/act+40+2000+fn+0+Y
Timestamp: 2013-05-23 01:10:27
Document Index: 404245119

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 2', 'art 2', 'art 5', 'art(1', 'art 6', 'art 7', 'art 6', 'art 6', 'art 5', 'art 7', 'art 7', 'art\n1', 'art 2', 'art 5', 'art 7']

Repealed version for 1 July 2011 to 31 December 2011 (accessed 23 May 2013 at 11:10).
2009 No 87 and Work Health and Safety Legislation
Amendment Act 2011 No 67) (not commenced)Coal Mine Health and Safety Amendment
Act 2010 No 23 (not commenced)Repeal:The Act was repealed by sec 276C of the
Work Health and Safety Act 2011 No
10 with effect from 1.1.2012.
File last modified 1 January 2012.
7A The concept of ensuring health and safety
representatives and other agreed arrangements
with mining workplaces or coal workplaces)
47A Appointment of inspectors in connection with mining
75A Certain actions by inspectors
133 Application of Act to mining workplaces and coal
137A Delegation of certain functions
and the regulations and rules made under them:(a)–(d) (Repealed)
workplace means a place of work:(a) that is a mine to which the Mine
Health and Safety Act 2004 applies, or
Petroleum (Offshore) Act
section 87 (Non-disturbance of plant etc) do not apply to mining workplaces or
coal workplaces.2 This Act applies to the Crown—see section
workDivision 1 General duties7A The concept of ensuring health and safety(1) A duty imposed on a person by this Division (or by any other
provision of or made under this Act) to ensure, so far as is reasonably
practicable, health and safety requires the person:(a) to eliminate risks to health and safety so far as is reasonably
(b) if it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate risks to health
and safety, to minimise those risks so far as is reasonably
(2) For the purposes of this Division (or of any such other
provision), in determining what is (or was at a particular time) reasonably
practicable in relation to ensuring health and safety, all relevant matters
are to be taken into account and weighed up, including:(a) the likelihood of the hazard or the risk concerned occurring,
(b) the degree of harm that might result from the hazard or the risk,
(c) what the person concerned knows, or ought reasonably to know,
about:(i) the hazard or the risk, and
(ii) ways of eliminating or minimising the risk,
(d) the availability and suitability of ways to eliminate or minimise
(e) after assessing the extent of the risk and the available ways of
eliminating or minimising the risk, the cost associated with available ways of
eliminating or minimising the risk, including whether the cost is grossly
disproportionate to the risk.
8 Duties of employers(1) Employees An employer must, so far as is reasonably practicable, ensure the
health, safety and welfare at work of all the employees of the
employer.That duty extends (without limitation) to the following, so far as
is reasonably practicable,:(a) ensuring that any premises controlled by the employer where the
(2) Others at workplace An employer must, so far as is reasonably practicable, ensure that
people (other than the employees of the employer) are not exposed to risks to
their health or safety arising from the conduct of the employer’s
undertaking while they are at the employer’s place of
work.Note. See section 12 for the penalty for an offence against this section
with respect to those offences, including section 26 (Officers of corporations
required to exercise due diligence).See also Division 2 for duty of employer to consult
employees.9 Duties of self-employed personsA self-employed person must, so far as is reasonably practicable,
ensure that people (other than the employees of the person) are not exposed to
risks to their health or safety arising from the conduct of the person’s
undertaking while they are at the person’s place of
work.10 Duties of controllers of work premises, plant or
work must, so far as is reasonably practicable, ensure that the premises are
safe and without risks to health.(2) A person who has control of any plant or substance used by people
at work must, so far as is reasonably practicable, ensure that the plant or
substance is safe and without risks to health when properly
used.(3) The duties of a person under this section:(a) do not apply to premises, plant or substances used only by
substance for use by people at work must, so far as is reasonably
practicable:(a) ensure that the plant or substance is safe and without risks to
representatives and other agreed arrangements(1) OHS committees An OHS committee is to be established for the purposes of
of people who work at a coal workplace.(7) In the case of a place of work that is a mine within the meaning
2004, a site check inspector (within the meaning of that Act)
for the mine must be a member of any OHS committee for that place of
work.Note. The Mine Health and Safety Act
2004 makes provision for the election or appointment of
certain persons to carry out inspections and perform other functions on behalf
of persons who work at mines within the meaning of that
Act.18 Functions of OHS committees and OHS
employer or other person so far as is reasonably necessary to enable
compliance with any requirement under this Act or the regulations that is
imposed in the interests of health, safety and welfare on the employer or any
other person.Maximum penalty:(a) in the case of a previous offender—45 penalty units,
Division 4 Ancillary provisions26 Officers of corporations required to exercise due
diligence(1) If a corporation has a duty or obligation under a relevant
provision, an officer of the corporation must exercise due diligence to ensure
that the corporation complies with that duty or obligation.Maximum penalty: the same maximum penalty that is applicable to a
failure by an individual to comply with the duty or
obligation.(2) The following provisions are relevant
provisions for the purposes of this section:(a) Division 1 (General duties) of Part 2 (Duties relating to health,
safety and welfare at work),
(b) Division 2 (Duty to consult) of Part 2,
(c) Division 4 (Incidents at places of work) of Part 5
(d) any provision of the regulations that is stated to be a relevant
provision for the purposes of this section.
(3) In this section, due diligence includes
taking reasonable steps:(a) to acquire and keep up-to-date knowledge of occupational health
and safety matters, and
(b) to gain an understanding of the nature of the operations of the
trade, business or other undertaking of the corporation and generally of the
hazards and risks associated with those operations, and
(c) to ensure that the corporation has available for use, and uses,
appropriate resources and processes to eliminate or minimise risks to health
and safety from work carried out as part of the conduct of the trade, business
or other undertaking of the corporation, and
(d) to ensure that the corporation has appropriate processes for
receiving and considering information regarding incidents, hazards and risks
and responding in a timely way to that information, and
(e) to ensure that the corporation has, and implements, processes for
complying with any duty or obligation of the corporation under the relevant
provisions of this Act, andExample. For the purposes of paragraph (e), the duties or obligations of a
corporation under the relevant provisions of this Act may include:• giving notice of notifiable incidents,
• consulting with employees,
• complying with notices issued under this Act,
• providing training and instruction to employees about occupational
• ensuring that OHS representatives undertake any required course of
(f) to verify the provision and use of the resources and processes
referred to in paragraphs (c)–(e).
(4) A person may be proceeded against and convicted of an offence
under subsection (1) whether or not the corporation has been proceeded against
or has been convicted of an offence in relation to the duty or
obligation.(5) An officer of a corporation who is a volunteer is not liable to be
prosecuted under this section for anything done or omitted to be done by the
person as a volunteer.(6) This section does not affect any liability imposed on a
corporation for a failure to comply with the duty or obligation
concerned.(7) In this section:corporation means any
body corporate (including a body corporate representing the
Crown).officer means an officer
within the meaning of section 9 of the Corporations
Act 2001 of the Commonwealth, but does not include a Minister
of the Crown acting in that capacity, an elected member of a local authority
acting in that capacity or a partner in a partnership.volunteer has the same
meaning as in section 60 of the Civil
Liability Act 2002.Note. That section provides that a volunteer is a person who does
community work on a voluntary basis.27 Aiding and abetting etc(1) A person:(a) who aids, abets, counsels or procures, or
industrial organisation of employees or employers.28 (Repealed)29 Relationship between duties under this Part and
conduct.(4) For the purposes of this section:(a) a person’s conduct causes death if it substantially
of subsection (2).(6) (Repealed)32B Prosecution for offences under this Part(1) Proceedings for an offence against this Part may only be dealt
note. For codes of practice under this section or revoked under section
45, see Gazettes No 143 of 21.9.2001, pp 8014, 8091, 8098, 8106, 8135; No 178
of 18.10.2002, p 8951; No 198 of 10.12.2004, p 9176; No 200 of 17.12.2004, p
9548; No 94 of 29.7.2005, p 3989; No 107 of 26.8.2005, p 6308; No 110 of
1.9.2005, p 7020; No 40 of 31.3.2006, pp 1746, 1762; No 58 of 28.4.2006, p
2582; No 75 of 9.6.2006, p 4268; No 118 of 22.9.2006, pp 8216, 8290; No 139 of
17.11.2006, p 9800; No 189 of 22.12.2006, p 11840; No 11 of 19.1.2007, p 208;
No 37 of 2.3.2007, p 1652; No 26 of 29.2.2008, pp 1388, 1389 and No 122 of
4.9.2009, p 4974.45 Amendment or revocation of codesAn approved industry code of practice may be amended or revoked by
with mining workplaces or coal workplaces)(1) WorkCover may appoint as inspectors for the purposes of this Act
authorised to exercise functions under this Act in relation to a mining
workplace or a coal workplace.47A Appointment of inspectors in connection with mining
workplacesA person appointed as a government official under the Mine Health and Safety Act 2004 is
taken to have been appointed as an inspector for the purposes of this Act and
the regulations. Such a person is only authorised to exercise functions under
this Act in relation to a mining workplace, but may exercise functions under
Division 2 in relation to premises other than a mining workplace for the
purpose of investigating any matter under this Act in relation to a mining
workplace.47B Appointment of inspectors in connection with coal
relation to a coal workplace.48 Identification of inspectors(1) Every inspector appointed under section 47, or taken to have been
appointed under section 47A or 47B is to be issued with an identification card
as an inspector that complies with this section.(2) The identification card must:(a) state that it is issued under this Act, and
(ii) in the case of an inspector taken to have been appointed under
section 47A or 47B, the Minister or a person authorised by the
inspector under section 47A or 47B and functions to be exercised under the
2002 or the Mine Health and
Safety Act 2004, or both.Division 2 Powers of inspectorsNote. See Part 6 for powers of inspectors to issue investigation,
workplace.(3) In the case of a place of work that is a mine within the meaning
2004, the representative of the employees referred to in this
section should, to the extent practicable, be a site check inspector elected
under that Act for that mine.70 Notice of taking or dismantling plant, substances or other
unreasonable to allow the inspection or copying.75A Certain actions by inspectors(1) This section applies if an inspector, in good faith, exercises
functions under any relevant legislation in relation to a place of work that
is not a place of work in relation to which the inspector has
authority.(2) An inspector must, as soon as practicable after becoming aware of
exercising functions in relation to such a place of work, either:(a) notify the appropriate authority in writing of the functions so
(b) if the regulations require the inspector to notify another
specified person—notify that specified
(3) An appropriate authority may, by notice in writing, direct an
inspector not to exercise functions in relation to an activity, work, plant or
place if it becomes aware that the inspector is exercising, or has exercised,
such functions in relation to that activity, work, plant or place and is not
authorised to do so.(4) If an inspector (the relevant
inspector) ceases, or is required to cease, exercising functions
because of this section:(a) the appropriate authority or an appropriate inspector may continue
to exercise any functions commenced by the relevant inspector as if the
functions had been exercised by the appropriate authority or the appropriate
inspector, and
(b) the appropriate authority or an appropriate inspector may continue
any relevant investigation and any subsequent proceedings that the authority
or inspector has power to continue.
(5) For the purposes of the relevant legislation and any
proceedings:(a) any function previously exercised by the relevant inspector
relating to the activity, work, plant or place concerned is taken to have been
exercised by the appropriate authority or an appropriate inspector, and the
relevant legislation applies accordingly, and
(b) any notice issued by the relevant inspector relating to the
activity, work, plant or place concerned is taken to have been issued by the
appropriate authority or an appropriate inspector, and can be enforced or
otherwise dealt with as if the applicable relevant legislation authorised its
(c) any evidence collected by the relevant inspector relating to the
activity, work, plant or place concerned is taken to have been collected by
the appropriate authority or an appropriate inspector for the purposes of
determining its admissibility in subsequent
(6) The regulations may require a person notified under subsection (2)
(b) to give notice of the matters so notified to the appropriate
authority.(7) In this section:appropriate
authority means:(a) in relation to a place of work to which this Act applies that is
not a mining workplace or a coal workplace—the WorkCover Authority,
(b) in relation to a mining workplace—the Chief Inspector
appointed under the Mine Health and Safety
Act 2004, or, if the regulations specify another person, that
(c) in relation to a coal workplace—the Chief Inspector
appointed under the Coal Mine Health and
Safety Act 2002, or, if the regulations Act specify another
person, that person.
inspector means:(a) in relation to a place of work to which this Act applies and that
is not a mining workplace or a coal workplace—an inspector appointed
under section 47, or
(b) in relation to a mining workplace—a person taken to have
been appointed as an inspector under section 47A, or
(c) in relation to a coal workplace—a person taken to have been
appointed as an inspector under section 47B.
inspector means:(a) an inspector appointed under section 47, or
(b) a government official appointed under the Mine Health and Safety Act 2004 who
is taken to have been appointed under this Act by section 47A of this Act,
(c) a government official appointed under the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act
2002 who is taken to have been appointed under this Act by
section 47B of this Act.
legislation means any of the following Acts and the regulations made
under those Acts:(a) this Act,
(b) the Mine Health and Safety Act
(d) the Petroleum (Onshore) Act
(e) the Petroleum (Submerged Lands)
representative of an industrial organisation of employees, means a
person who is an authorised industrial officer within the meaning of Part 7 of
1996 in respect of that industrial organisation of
employees.77 Powers of entry of places of workAn authorised representative of an industrial organisation of
occupational health and safety legislation, the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act
Safety Act 2004, enter any premises the representative has
reason to believe is a place of work where members of that organisation (or
persons who are eligible to be members of that organisation)
work.78 Notice of entry(1) An authorised representative authorised to enter premises under
Safety Act 2004, an authorised representative who enters
premises under this Division may do any of the following:(a) make searches and inspections (and take photographs and make video
the notice is to be given.(5) This section does not apply to a mine to which the Mine Health and Safety Act 2004
applies or a coal workplace.87 Non-disturbance of plant involved in serious incidents
under Part 6.(6) This section does not apply to a mine to which the Mine Health and Safety Act 2004
applies or a coal workplace.88 Minister may require and publish special reports into
(5) This section applies to a mining
workplace.(6) In this section:liability includes
premises must (unless the occupier has a reasonable excuse for not doing
so):(a) stop the use or movement of, or interference with, any plant,
WorkCover of a notice under this Part may appeal against the notice to the
Local Court constituted by an Industrial Magistrate sitting
alone.(2) An appeal to the Local Court under this section does not operate
to stay the notice the subject of the appeal except as otherwise ordered by
the Court.(3) The Local Court may, on the appeal, confirm the notice, vary it or
Local Court constituted by an Industrial Magistrate sitting alone for a stay
of the notice.(2) A stay may be granted for such period as the Local Court considers
Act.(2A) This Part extends to proceedings in connection with the Mine Health and Safety Act 2004 and
the regulations under that Act.(3) Accordingly, for the purposes of proceedings referred to in
subsection (2) or (2A):(a) a reference in this Part to this Act or the regulations includes a
reference to those Acts or those regulations, and
Safety Act 2004.
Safety Act 2004 and the regulations under those
Acts.Division 1 Proceedings for offences generally105 Summary procedure for offences(1) Proceedings for an offence against this Act or the regulations are
to be dealt with summarily:(a) before the Local Court, or
proceedings by the Local Court is 500 penalty units, despite any higher
maximum monetary penalty provided in respect of the
relating to appeals from the Local Court to the Industrial Relations
Commission in Court Session in connection with offences against that Act apply
to proceedings before the Local Court for offences against this Act or the
member of the Commission or the Local Court to acquit a person of an offence
reference in this section to section 86 is to be read as a reference:(a) in the case of a mine to which the Mine Health and Safety Act 2004
applies—to section 88 of that Act or to such other provision of that Act
order made by the Local Court under this section is enforceable as if it were
an order made by the Local Court when exercising jurisdiction under the
expedient for enforcement of the order.(3) The Local Court may not make an order under this section unless it
jurisdictional limit of the Local Court when sitting in its General Division
2007.117 Offence: failure to comply with order(1) A person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with an
(c) a corporation that is a local health district or statutory health
the Local Court, the District Court or the Supreme Court in sentencing persons
who is an Australian legal practitioner, may appear in guideline
organisation, department or agency who is an Australian legal practitioner) to
appear in guideline proceedings.(2) Without limiting subsection (1), any person, organisation,
offence.133 Application of Act to mining workplaces and coal
application of the provision to a mining workplace or a coal workplace, is
taken to be or include a reference to a specified government department or
agency, or an officer of a government department or agency, exercising
functions in connection with the administration of the Mine Health and Safety Act 2004, the
1991, the Petroleum
(Submerged Lands) Act 1982 or the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act
Act 1983.137A Delegation of certain functions(1) The Minister may delegate to the Director-General any of the
following functions of the Minister:(a) (Repealed)
Act)Occupational Health and Safety
Amendment (Authorised Representatives) Act
2009Occupational Health and Safety
Commission.Part 6 Provision relating to Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Authorised
Representatives) Act 200923 Authorised representatives(1) In this clause:amending
and Safety Amendment (Authorised Representatives) Act
2009.authorised
representative has the same meaning as in Division 3 of Part 5 of
this Act.(2) Before the commencement of Schedule 1 [1] to the amending Act, a
person who for any period was an authorised industrial officer within the
meaning of Part 7 of Chapter 5 of the Industrial Relations Act 1996 is
taken, for the purposes of this or any other Act or law, to have been an
authorised representative during that same period.(3) Any act or omission of a person referred to in subclause (2), that
would have been valid had Schedule 1 [1] to the amending Act commenced before
the act or omission, is validated.(4) Subclauses (2) and (3) do not affect any decision of a court made
before the commencement of this clause.Part 7 Provisions consequent on enactment of Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act
201124 Definition and application(1) In this Part:amending
and Safety Amendment Act 2011.(2) This Part has effect subject to the regulations under Part
1.25 Offence by corporation—liability of directors and
managersSection 26 (as substituted by the amending Act) applies only in
respect of acts and omissions occurring on or after the date of assent to the
amending Act, and that section (as in force immediately before its
substitution by the amending Act) continues to apply in respect of any
contravention of this Act or the regulations that is alleged to have occurred
before the date of assent to the amending Act.26 Qualified general duties amendments(1) The qualified general duties amendments made by the amending Act
apply only in respect of acts and omissions occurring on or after the date of
assent to the amending Act.(2) The qualified
general duties amendments are all of the amendments made by the
amending Act except the following amendments:(a) the substitution of section 26,
(b) the amendments of sections 32A and 106 and Schedule
2004. Assented to 28.9.2004.Date of commencement of Sch 2, 1.9.2008, sec 2 and GG No 185 of
Provisions) Act 2007. Assented to 4.7.2007.Date of commencement of Sch 1.30 [1], 1.9.2008, Sch 1.30 and GG No 185 of
21.12.2007, p 9815; date of commencement of Sch 1.30 [2], assent, sec 2
Amendment Act 2007. Assented to 13.12.2007.Date of commencement of Schs 2–4 and 7, 6.7.2009, sec 2 and 2009
Provisions) Act 2008. Assented to 1.7.2008.Date of commencement of Sch 1.19, 1.9.2008, Sch
Provisions) Act 2009. Assented to 1.7.2009.Date of commencement of Sch 3, 17.7.2009, sec 2
No 68Occupational Health and Safety
Amendment (Authorised Representatives) Act 2009. Assented to
[1] [2] (am 2004 No 74, Sch 3 [59]) [3]; 2003 No 38, Sch 1 [2]; 2004 No 74,
Sch 2 [1]–[3]; 2005 No 37, Sch 2; 2007 No 27, Sch 1.30
[1].Sec 5Am 2002 No 50, Sch 4 [1]; 2002 No 129, Sch 1 [4];
2004 No 74, Sch 2 [4].Sec 7AIns 2011 No 11, Sch 1 [1].Sec 8Am 2011 No 11, Sch 1
[2]–[4].Sec 9Am 2011 No 11, Sch 1 [5].Sec 10Am 2011 No 11, Sch 1 [6].Sec 11Am 2011 No 11, Sch 1 [7].Sec 17Am 2002 No 129, Sch 1 [5] (subst 2004 No 74, Sch 3
[60]); 2004 No 74, Sch 2 [5].Sec 20Am 2011 No 11, Sch 1 [8].Sec 23Am 2006 No 97, Sch 2 [1].Sec 23AIns 2006 No 97, Sch 2 [2].Sec 26Subst 2011 No 11, Sch 1 [9].Sec 28Rep 2011 No 11, Sch 1 [10].Part 2AIns 2005 No 34, Sch 1 [1].Sec 32AIns 2005 No 34, Sch 1 [1]. Am 2011 No 11, Sch 1
[11] [12].Sec 32BIns 2005 No 34, Sch 1 [1].Sec 39AIns 2003 No 29, Sch 3 [1].Sec 47Am 2002 No 50, Sch 4 [2] [3]; 2002 No 129, Sch 1
[7]; 2004 No 74, Sch 2 [6].Sec 47AIns 2002 No 50, Sch 4 [4]. Am 2002 No 129, Sch 1
[8]. Subst 2004 No 74, Sch 2 [7].Sec 47BIns 2002 No 129, Sch 1 [9].Sec 48Subst 2002 No 50, Sch 4 [5]. Am 2002 No 129, Sch 1
[10]; 2004 No 74, Sch 2 [8]–[11]; 2004 No 111, Sch 1
[1].Sec 49Rep 2002 No 50, Sch 4 [6].Sec 54Am 2002 No 103, Sch 4.60 [1].Sec 58Am 2002 No 103, Sch 4.60
[62]); 2004 No 74, Sch 2 [12].Sec 75AIns 2004 No 74, Sch 2 [13].Sec 76Am 2009 No 68, Sch 1 [1].Secs 77, 81Am 2002 No 129, Sch 1 [11]; 2004 No 74, Sch 2
[14].Part 5, Div 4, headingSubst 2003 No 29, Sch 3 [4].Sec 86Am 2002 No 129, Sch 1 [12]; 2003 No 29, Sch 3
[5]–[11]; 2004 No 74, Sch 2 [15]; 2008 No 62, Sch 1.19
[1].Sec 87Am 2002 No 129, Sch 1 [12]; 2003 No 29, Sch 3
[12]–[14]; 2004 No 74, Sch 2 [15]; 2008 No 62, Sch 1.19
[1].Sec 88Am 2003 No 29, Sch 3 [15]; 2004 No 74, Sch 2
[15].Sec 90Am 2011 No 11, Sch 1 [13].Secs 97, 98Am 2007 No 94, Sch 2.Sec 104Rep 2002 No 50, Sch 4 [7].Part 7, Div 1AIns 2002 No 129, Sch 1 [13].Sec 104AIns 2002 No 129, Sch 1 [13]. Am 2004 No 74, Sch 2
[16]–[20].Sec 105Am 2007 No 94, Schs 2, 4.Sec 106Am 2003 No 83, Sch 1 [1] [2].Sec 107Am 2003 No 29, Sch 3 [16]; 2004 No 111, Sch 1
[2]; 2008 No 62, Sch 1.19 [2].Sec 108Am 2002 No 112, Sch 1.17.Sec 109Am 2003 No 29, Sch 3 [17]; 2004 No 111, Sch 1
[1].Sec 114Am 2006 No 120, Sch 2.66; 2007 No 94, Sch
2.Sec 116Am 2005 No 28, Sch 5.37; 2007 No 94, Schs 2, 3,
7.Sec 123Am 2010 No 97, Sch 2.22; 2011 No 4, Sch
2.24.Sec 124Am 2007 No 94, Sch 2.Sec 125Am 2001 No 117, Sch 10.Secs 126, 127Am 2009 No 56, Sch 3.7.Sec 133Am 2001 No 112, Sch 1.22 [2]; 2002 No 50, Sch 4
74, Sch 3 [63]); 2004 No 74, Sch 2 [15] [21].Sec 135AIns 2003 No 38, Sch 1 [3].Sec 137AIns 2002 No 50, Sch 4 [9]. Am 2004 No 74, Sch 2
[22].Sec 140Rep 2003 No 82, Sch 3.Sch 2Am 2000 No 112, Sch 4.2. Rep 2003 No 82, Sch
[3]; 2006 No 97, Sch 2 [3]; 2009 No 68, Sch 1 [2] [3]; 2011 No 11, Sch 1 [14]