Source: http://comcare.gov.au/the_scheme/the_whs_act/frequently_asked_questions_about_the_whs_act
Timestamp: 2015-08-31 13:11:01
Document Index: 575195538

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 2', 'art 5', 'art 6', 'art 8', 'art 9', 'art 10', 'art 12', 'art 13', 'art 9', 'art 11', 'art 11', 'art 12', 'art 13']

Frequently asked questions about the WHS Act About us
HomeThe schemeThe WHS ActFrequently asked questions about the WHS Act
Part 1—Preliminary (definitions, application of the WHS Act)
Part 2—Health and safety duties (duty holders, offences and penalties)
Part 5—Consultation, representation and participation (work groups, HSRs, committees, issue resolution, right to cease work, provisional improvement notices)
Part 6—Right to cease or direct cessation of unsafe work
Part 8—Securing compliance (functions and powers of Inspectors)
Part 9 —Enforcement measures (notices, injunctions)
Part 10—Enforceable undertakings
Part 12—Legal proceedings (infringement notices, crown provisions, civil penalties)
Part 13—General (Regulations, Codes of Practice and Schedules
Do the WHS laws provide coverage to Commonwealth employees working overseas? (Answer)
See the fact sheet on the Exterritorial application of the WHS Act for more information.(Hide answer)
Do the WHS Laws apply to external territories? (Answer)
What is the definition of ‘due diligence’? (Answer )
After assessing the extent of the risk and the ways the risk could be eliminated or minimised, the associated costs must be considered, including whether the cost is grossly disproportionate to the risk.(Hide answer)
Non-Commonwealth licensees
Corporations Act 2001 corporations licensed under the Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988
For more information please refer to our PCBU fact sheet [PDF,119KB](Hide answer)
Where a worker occupies accommodation that is owned by, or under the management or control of the PCBU, and the occupancy is necessary for the purpose of the worker’s engagement, the PCBU must, so far as is reasonable practicable, maintain the premises so that the worker occupying the premises is not exposed to risks to health and safety.(Hide answer)
Physical workplace boundaries as such no longer exist under the WHS Act. A workplace under the WHS Act is wherever a worker is ‘at work’ and is not restricted by a building, vehicle or other structure. A worker is at their workplace whenever they are engaged in a work activity that arises out of the business or undertaking of the PCBU.
Where workers are at work for a PCBU, the PCBU has a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, their health and safety.(Hide answer)
The WHS Act defines ‘workplace’ broadly to mean a place where work is carried out for a business or undertaking. The definition of a workplace has been reviewed to include a place where work is performed from time-to-time. Based on this definition, if a worker performs work on behalf of the PCBU from their home, then their home may be considered to be a place of work as the PCBU’s duty of care extends to any area where work activities are carried out. The PCBU must do everything that is reasonably practicable to ensure the health and safety of these workers by adopting a risk management approach to the work activity and work environment.(Hide answer)
A volunteer for a PCBU is defined as a worker under the WHS Act and as such is owed the same level of health and safety protection as does any other worker. The WHS Act applies to all external territories and a PCBU must do everything reasonably practicable to ensure that the volunteers’ health and safety is maintained whilst they are undertaking any volunteer activity on behalf of the business or undertaking.
Who is an officer under the WHS laws? (Answer)
For more information please refer to our Officer fact sheet [PDF,119KB](Hide answer)
How does due diligence apply to an officer under the WHS laws? (Answer)
More guidance on due diligence is available.(Hide answer)
The term ‘worker’ includes:
See also, Comcare's guidance regarding what constitutes a Worker/HSR.
What is notifiable to Comcare under the WHS laws? (Answer)
Guide to incident notification—for incidents that occurred on or after 1 January 2012
The meaning of 'immediate' will be dependent on context. Notification needs to occur as soon as reasonably possible considering factors like location, communication facilities and time of day. For instance, immediate notification from a remote location with limited communication facilities would be expected to take longer than immediate notification by a city-based business with ample communication facilities.(Hide answer)
If a notifiable incident has occurred, a PCBU must ensure that Comcare is notified immediately after becoming aware that a notifiable incident arising out of the conduct of the business or undertaking has occurred.
The person with management or control (PWMC) of the workplace at which the notifiable incident has occurred has a duty (as far as is reasonably practicable) to ensure that the incident site is not disturbed until an inspector arrives or at any earlier time that an inspector permits.
The duty to preserve the incident site does not prevent any action being taken:
See Comcare's guidance on Incident Notification for more information.(Hide answer)
No. As a non-Commonwealth licensee under the WHS Act, you are only required to report incidents to Comcare as your regulator. Other internal reporting processes may be required between PCBUs who share workplaces or workers, and through any contractual arrangements, however these may not always be notifiable to Comcare as required by the WHS Act.(Hide answer)
The decision about who will notify Comcare of any notifiable incident is made by the PCBU. This may mean that certain policies and procedures could detail who within the organisation is tasked with this to ensure that any notification is made in accordance with the WHS Act and WHS Regulations.(Hide answer)
The regulations may require certain kinds of workplaces (e.g. major hazard facilities), plant or substances or their design (e.g. high risk plant) to be authorised. Certain work or classes of work are required to be carried out only by, or on behalf of, a person who is authorised. These certain kinds of work or classes of work can only be carried out by, or under, supervision of a person who is appropriately qualified and experienced.(Hide answer)
What authorisations are required by Comcare? (Answer)
Does Comcare recognise certain authorisations provided from other WHS regulators? (Answer)
Yes. Where a licence, registration or accreditation has been provided by another WHS regulator, Comcare will recognise that authorisation.(Hide answer)
The nature of consultation required under the WHS Act involves:
If the workers are represented by a Health and Safety Representative (HSR), the consultation must involve that representative.(Hide answer)
If more than one person has a duty in relation to the same matter, each of those persons must consult, cooperate and coordinate activities with each other, so far as is reasonably practicable. There may be a number of different duty holders involved in an activity—they could be a supplier, a contractor, or the owner of the building where the work is carried out. Each duty holder can have an effect on work health and safety in relation to the activity and therefore must share information and cooperate with each other to ensure that each person can meet their health and safety duties effectively without gaps or inconsistencies.(Hide answer)
A PCBU may also choose to consult with workers about health and safety matters in other instances.(Hide answer)
Are we required to have a health and safety committee (HSC)? (Answer)
A HSC may be established by a PCBU at any time.(Hide answer)
If agreement can not be reached, an Inspector may be requested by any involved party to decide the matter provided that all reasonable attempts to resolve the matter have been attempted(Hide answer)
A HSC must meet once every three months or at any reasonable time requested by at least half of the committee members.(Hide answer)
A work group is a group of workers who share similar WHS concerns and conditions.(Hide answer)
Any workers (as defined by the WHS Act) who share similar work health and safety concerns and conditions can be included in a work group.(Hide answer)
An example of this may be where a work group is comprised of shift workers who work four rotation shift patterns. In this case, there can now be an elected HSR and deputy for each shift all under the one work group.(Hide answer)
If the HSR chooses not to attend an approved training course, they can not exercise certain powers (e.g. issue PINS or direct a person to cease unsafe work).(Hide answer)
All workers who form a part of the work group will determine the election of HSRs for the work group they are in.(Hide answer)
Who is responsible for delivering HSR training under the new WHS legislation? (Answer)
Comcare, as the Commonwealth WHS regulator, approves training providers for the delivery of HSR courses to the Commonwealth jurisdiction. Only those training providers approved by Comcare will be eligible to deliver HSR training to the Commonwealth jurisdiction.(Hide answer)
HSRs are not personally liable for anything done or omitted to be done in good faith when exercising a power or performing a function under the WHS Act—or in the reasonable belief that their actions were authorised under the WHS Act.(Hide answer)
Yes. A HSR can be disqualified if they have acted inappropriately when exercising a power, function, or when disclosing information.(Hide answer)
Where agreement can not be reached by multiple HSRs in a single work group, discussions need to take place between the involved parties and the PCBU. If agreement can not be reached after all reasonable steps are taken to resolve the issue, an Inspector may be called upon to assist with resolving the issue. Only a HSR who has undertaken an approved training course may exercise the powers of a HSR in accordance with the WHS Act.(Hide answer)
All these individuals are eligible to be HSRs or deputy HSRs provided they are workers within a defined work group. A work group, once defined, includes all workers as indicated above. It is the workers within a work group that elect their representative. This may mean that the elected HSR could be employed by another PCBU.(Hide answer)
If a worker ceases work they must notify the PCBU that they have ceased unsafe work as soon as practicable after doing so. The worker must remain available to carry out suitable alternative work which is safe and appropriate until they are able to resume normal duties. The worker’s entitlements are preserved during any period for which work is ceased.(Hide answer)
The HSR may direct the worker to cease work without attempting to resolve the matter if the risk is serious and due to the immediate or imminent risk it is not reasonable to consult or attempt to resolve the issue before giving the direction to cease work. The HSR must consult with the relevant PCBU as soon as practicable after giving the cease work direction.(Hide answer)
The relevant HSR, PCBU or worker may ask Comcare to appoint an Inspector to attend the workplace to assist with resolving an issue arising in relation to the cessation of work.(Hide answer)
Do WHS entry permit holders have to do training? (Answer)
Yes. WHS entry permit holders must undertake prescribed training which covers matters such as right of entry, issue resolution and risk management requirements. The WHS Regulations contain details about the training. Training providers have to be approved by Comcare.(Hide answer)
Does a WHS entry permit holder have to give notice before entering a workplace? (Answer)
If there is no suspected contravention of the WHS legislation, the WHS entry permit holder must give the PCBU at least 24 hours notice—but not more than 14 days notice—before entering their workplace. The permit holder can enter the workplace and consult those workers who wish to be consulted on WHS matters, and provide them with advice on those matters.(Hide answer)
When can a WHS entry permit holder enter a workplace without notice? (Answer)
A WHS entry permit holder can enter a workplace without notice if they are inquiring into a suspected contravention of the WHS legislation. As soon as is reasonably practicable after entering the workplace, the permit holder must advise the relevant PCBU—and the manager of the workplace—of their entry, and the nature of the suspected contravention. The permit holder can inspect any part of the workplace that is directly relevant to the contravention, consult with any workers who are directly relevant to the contravention, and view and copy documents that are directly relevant to the contravention. If they want to inspect employee records or documents held by a third party, they must give 24 hours notice.(Hide answer)
Fair Work Australia, as the authorising authority, may deal with a dispute about a WHS entry permit holder’s exercise of a right of entry. It can deal with such a dispute on its own initiative or on application by a party to a dispute or the regulator. The authorising authority may deal with the dispute in an appropriate manner by mediation, conciliation or arbitration. If Fair Work Australia deals with the dispute by arbitration it can revoke or suspend a WHS entry permit or make any other order it considers appropriate.(Hide answer)
Workers are able to cease unsafe work where they have reasonable concern that to carry out the work would expose them to a serious risk to their health or safety. A trained HSR can direct workers in their work group to cease unsafe work based on their reasonable concern that to carry out the work would expose workers to a serious risk to their health or safety.(Hide answer)
If the workplace has no union members, does a union official still have the right to enter the workplace with their WHS entry permit? (Answer)
Yes. A WHS entry permit holder may exercise their right of entry in relation to an area where relevant workers work (any worker that is or may be eligible to be a member of that union), or any other work area that directly affects the health or safety of those workers.(Hide answer)
Does a union official have to produce their permit? (Answer)
Yes. The WHS Act states that a union official is not obliged to volunteer their permit. However, if requested, they must produce it together with photo identification.(Hide answer)
The WHS Act confers rights on a person who holds an office in, or is an employee of, a union—WHS entry permit holders. They are able to enter workplaces and exercise certain powers while at those workplaces.
Any entrant to a Commonwealth workplace would be expected to comply with WHS entry requirements. This includes site induction and any other reasonable health and safety request. In addition, a WHS entry permit holder exercising powers can prejudice national security or Australia’s defence.(Hide answer)
Yes. The authorising authority can revoke a permit on a number of grounds, such as contravention of the permit holder’s permit conditions, or improper behaviour. The authorising authority will provide written notice setting out the grounds for revoking the permit to both the permit holder and the relevant union. Anyone listed in section 138(1) of the WHS Act can apply to have a permit revoked, e.g. the regulator, PCBU or anyone affected by the actions of the permit holder.(Hide answer)
Can Inspectors enter a workplace without there being an incident? (Answer)
Yes. There is no requirement for an Inspector to commence an investigation before being able to exercise a right of entry to a workplace.
Inspectors may enter any place they reasonably suspect is a workplace at any time and without prior notice to exercise their powers. As soon as reasonably practicable after entry an Inspector must provide notification of entry to a PCBU, a person with management and control of the workplace and any Health and Safety Representative. However, an Inspector is not required to provide notification if that would defeat the purpose of entry or would cause delay in investigating the suspected contravention.(Hide answer)
It is an offence to hinder or obstruct, impersonate, assault, threaten or intimidate an Inspector.(Hide answer)
Upon entry into a workplace an Inspector will take all reasonable steps to notify the PCBU or PWMC.(Hide answer)
A Comcare Inspector will endeavor to provide a report within 24 hours following a site visit or intervention. For more complex matters the Inspector will liaise with affected parties and inform them of the anticipated timeframe for the completion of the report.(Hide answer)
You may not be advised in advance of attendance, however an Inspector will give you the opportunity to allow entry on arrival at the place the warrant is to be executed (served).(Hide answer)
Comcare recommends you seek legal advice if you are unsure of your requirements.(Hide answer)
Yes, if the Inspector believes the thing is evidence of an offence against the WHS Act.(Hide answer)
Part 9—Enforcement measures (notices, injunctions)
There are a range of enforcement actions that may be applied by Comcare when WHS legislative obligations are not met by duty holders. Persons conducting a business or undertaking, officers, workers and other parties who have duties under the WHS Act are subject to the compliance, enforcement and penalty provisions of the WHS Act.
See the Work Health and Safety Compliance and Enforcement page for further information.
Are enforceable undertakings an enforcement option under the WHS laws? (Answer)
When a proposed undertaking is accepted, any legal proceedings connected to the alleged contravention must be discontinued.(Hide answer)
Comcare can accept a written undertaking provided an application under section 231 of the WHS Act is not under consideration.(Hide answer)
A WHS undertaking takes effect and becomes enforceable when the regulator’s decision to accept the undertaking is given to the person who made the undertaking(Hide answer)
What is a reviewable decision? (Answer)
Note: For a more detailed list of what is a reviewable decision refer to section 223 of the WHS Act and Part 11.1 of the WHS Regulations.(Hide answer)
Note: For a more detailed list refer to section 223 of the WHS Act and Part 11.1 of the WHS Regulations.(Hide answer)
Yes. Whenever an Inspector or Comcare makes a decision on a matter that is reviewable, it will be brought to your attention at the time of you being made aware of this decision.(Hide answer)
An eligible person applying for an internal review has within 14 days of the decision first coming to their attention as the eligible person (or longer as determined by Comcare).(Hide answer)
An application can be completed online and forwarded to Comcare. Future guidance material will be made available on our internal review process, including the manner and form required by Comcare.
Application for internal review [PDF,161KB]
Comcare is required to notify the applicant in writing of the decision and the reasons for it after 14 days of receiving the application.(Hide answer)
Regulation 10.1.8 of the WHS Regulations does not provide for an automatic stay of the reviewable decision.(Hide answer)
If you are not satisfied with the decision made on your application you can refer the matter for external review to FairWork Australia.(Hide answer)
Details on how to make an application with FairWork Australia will be available on Comcare's website soon.
Guidance for applicants:external review of decisions [PDF,429KB]
Part 12—Legal proceedings (crown provisions, civil penalties)
What does the removal of the shield of the crown mean? (Answer)
At common law, there is a strong presumption that the Crown is not bound by legislation in the absence of clear legislative intent and there is a strong presumption against imposing criminal liability on the Crown. This is referred to as the shield of the Crown. It is clear that the WHS Act is intended to apply to and impose criminal liability on the public sector. In the federal jurisdiction, this is the first time that the Crown can be liable for a criminal offence and be the subject of an infringement notice.(Hide answer)
Yes. Comcare will continue to publish this information to act as a deterrent to others and to promote a safety culture within Australia and the places Australians work.(Hide answer)
Part 13—General (Regulations, Codes of Practice and Schedules)
Do we need to follow the codes of practice under the new WHS laws or are they just guidance? (Answer)
While there is no statutory requirement that codes of practice under the WHS Act must be followed, an approved code of practice applies to anyone who has a duty of care in the circumstances described in the code. In most cases, following an approved code of practice would achieve compliance with the health and safety duties in the WHS Act, in relation to the subject matter of the code.(Hide answer)
Page last updated: 18 Jul 2014