Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (NSW)

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Chapter 1PreliminaryPart 1.1Introductory mattersNote—

The numbering of provisions of this regulation closely corresponds to the same numbering of regulations in model regulations prepared for and approved by the Council of Australian Governments. To maximise uniformity between this regulation and the model regulations, the numbers of some provisions in the model regulations that are not relevant have not been used in the numbering of provisions of this regulation, unless required for provisions particular to the State.

Adoption of the numbering of the model regulations also results in alphanumeric numbering to insert further provisions particular to the State. For example, see sections 288A–288D.

1Name of regulation

This regulation is the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025.

2Commencement

This regulation commences as follows—

  • (a)

    for Part 8A.4—on 1 October 2025,

  • (b)

    otherwise—on the day on which this regulation is published on the NSW legislation website.

Note—

This regulation repeals and replaces the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017, which would otherwise be repealed on 1 September 2025 by the Subordinate Legislation Act 1989, section 10(2).

3Authorising provisions

*****

Note—

The Model Work Health and Safety Regulations contain a provision dealing with authorising provisions of legislation.

4Repeal

*****

Note—

The Model Work Health and Safety Regulations contain a provision dealing with the repeal of existing regulations.

5Definitions(1)

In this regulation—

abrasive blasting means propelling a stream of abrasive material at high speed against a surface using compressed air, liquid, steam, centrifugal wheels or paddles to clean, abrade, etch or otherwise change the original appearance or condition of the surface.

accredited assessor means—

  • (a)

    a person who is accredited under Part 4.5 to conduct assessments, or

  • (b)

    the regulator.

ADG Code means the Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail, approved by the Transport and Infrastructure Council, as in force or remade from time to time. If that document is amended or remade, a reference in this regulation to a provision of that document extends to the corresponding provision, if any, of the amended or remade document.

Note—

The ADG Code is accessible at control means a method of work, a process or a procedure designed to minimise risk, but does not include—

  • (a)

    an engineering control, or

  • (b)

    the use of personal protective equipment.

Agvet Code, in Part 7.1, means the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code set out in the schedule to the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994 of the Commonwealth.

airborne contaminant means a contaminant in the form of a fume, mist, gas, vapour or dust, and includes micro-organisms.

amusement device means plant operated for hire or reward that provides entertainment, sightseeing or amusement through movement of the equipment, or part of the equipment, or when passengers or other users travel or move on, around or along the equipment, but does not include—

  • (a)

    a miniature train and railway system owned and operated by a model railway society, club or association, or

  • (b)

    a ride or device that is used as a form of transport and that is, in relation to its use for that purpose, regulated under another Act or an Act of the Commonwealth, or

  • (c)

    a boat or flotation device—

    • (i)

      that is solely propelled by a person who is in or on the boat or device, and

    • (ii)

      that is not attached to any mechanical elements or equipment outside the boat or device, and that does not rely on an artificial flow of water to move, or

  • (d)

    plant specifically designed for a sporting, professional stunt, theatrical or acrobatic purpose or activity, or

  • (e)

    a coin-operated or token-operated device that—

    • (i)

      is intended to be ridden, at the one time, by not more than 4 children who must be below the age of 10 years, and

    • (ii)

      is usually located in a shopping centre or similar public location, and

    • (iii)

      does not necessarily have an operator.

article means a manufactured item, other than a fluid or particle, that—

  • (a)

    is formed into a particular shape or design during manufacture, and

  • (b)

    has hazard properties and a function that are wholly or partly dependent on the shape or design.

asbestos-contaminated dust or debris (ACD) means dust or debris that has settled within a workplace and is, or is assumed to be, contaminated with asbestos.

asbestos management plan—see section 429 or 432.

asbestos register—see section 425.

asbestos-related work means work involving asbestos, other than asbestos removal work to which Part 8.7 applies, that is permitted under the exceptions set out in section 419(3), (4) and (5).

asbestos removal licence means a Class A asbestos removal licence or a Class B asbestos removal licence.

asbestos removal work means—

  • (a)

    work involving the removal of asbestos or ACM, or

  • (b)

    for Part 8.10—Class A asbestos removal work or Class B asbestos removal work.

asbestos removalist means a person conducting a business or undertaking who carries out asbestos removal work.

asbestos waste means asbestos or ACM removed and disposable items used during asbestos removal work including plastic sheeting and disposable tools.

biological monitoring means—

  • (a)

    the measurement and evaluation of a substance, or its metabolites, in the body tissue, fluids or exhaled air of a person exposed to the substance, or

  • (b)

    blood lead level monitoring.

blood lead level means the concentration of lead in whole blood expressed in micromoles per litre (µmol/L) or micrograms per decilitre (µg/dL).

blood lead level monitoring means the testing of the venous or capillary blood of a person by a laboratory accredited by NATA, under the supervision of a registered medical practitioner, to determine the blood lead level.

boiler means—

  • (a)

    a vessel, or an arrangement of vessels and interconnecting parts, in which steam or vapour is generated or in which water or other liquid is heated at a pressure above that of the atmosphere by the application of fire, the products of combustion, electrical power or similar high temperature means, and

  • (b)

    the superheaters, reheaters, economisers, boiler piping, supports, mountings, valves, gauges, fittings, controls, boiler setting and other equipment directly associated with those vessels,

but does not include—

  • (c)

    except in Schedules 3 and 4—a fully flooded or pressurised system where water or another liquid is heated to a temperature lower than the normal atmospheric boiling temperature of the liquid, or

  • (d)

    for Parts 5.2 and 5.3 and Schedules 3 and 4—a boiler designed or manufactured to the following codes—

    • (i)

      AMBSC Part 1—Australian Miniature Boiler Safety Committee Code for Copper Boilers,

    • (ii)

      AMBSC Part 2—Australian Miniature Boiler Safety Committee Code for Steel Boilers,

    • (iii)

      AMBSC Part 3—Australian Miniature Boiler Safety Committee Code for Sub-Miniature Boilers,

    • (iv)

      AMBSC Part 4—Australian Miniature Boiler Safety Committee Code for Duplex Steel Boilers, or

  • (e)

    for Schedules 3 and 4—

    • (i)

      a direct fired process heater, or

    • (ii)

      boilers with less than 5m2 heating surface or 150 kW output, or

    • (iii)

      unattended boilers certified in compliance with AS 2593–2004, Boilers—Safety management and supervision systems.

boom-type elevating work platform means a telescoping device, hinged device or articulated device, or a combination of these, used to support a platform on which personnel, equipment and materials may be elevated.

bridge crane means a crane that—

  • (a)

    consists of a bridge beam or beams that are mounted to end carriages at each end, and

  • (b)

    is capable of travelling along elevated runways, and

  • (c)

    has one or more hoisting mechanisms arranged to traverse across the bridge.

building maintenance equipment means a suspended platform and associated equipment, including a building maintenance unit or a swing stage, that incorporates permanently installed overhead supports to give access to the faces of a building for maintenance, but does not include a suspended scaffold.

building maintenance unit means a power operated suspended platform and associated equipment on a building specifically designed to give permanent access to the faces of the building for maintenance.

bulk, in relation to a hazardous chemical, means a quantity of a hazardous chemical that is—

  • (a)

    in a container with a capacity of more than 500L or net mass of more than 500kg, or

  • (b)

    if the hazardous chemical is a solid—an undivided quantity of more than 500kg.

capacity, of a container for Chapter 7, means the internal volume of the container, at a temperature of 15°C, expressed in litres.

card holder means the person to whom a general construction induction training card is issued.

certificate of medical fitness means a certificate of medical fitness that complies with section 169.

certification, for a specified VET course, means—

  • (a)

    a statement of attainment issued by an RTO stating that the person to whom it is issued has successfully completed the specified VET course, or

  • (b)

    for high risk work—a notice of satisfactory assessment stating that the person to whom it is issued has successfully completed the specified VET course, or

  • (c)

    an equivalent statement or notice issued by a corresponding RTO.

certified safety management system, for Chapter 8, means a safety management system that complies with AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018, Occupational health and safety management systems—Requirements with guidance for use, or an equivalent system determined by the regulator.

chemical identity means a name, in accordance with the nomenclature systems of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry or the Chemical Abstracts Service, or a technical name, that gives a chemical a unique identity.

chemical installation, for Part 4.6—see section 141A.

Note—

This definition is a NSW provision.

class means—

  • (a)

    for high risk work, a class of work specified in Schedule 3,

  • (b)

    for asbestos removal work, Class A asbestos removal work or Class B asbestos removal work,

  • (c)

    for licensed demolition work, a class of work specified in the definition of licensed demolition work, paragraph (a) or (b),

  • (d)

    for traffic control work, a class of work specified in the definition of traffic control work, paragraph (a), (b) or (c).

Note—

Paragraphs (c) and (d) are NSW provisions.

Class A asbestos removal licence means a licence that authorises the carrying out of Class A asbestos removal work and Class B asbestos removal work by or on behalf of the licence holder.

Class A asbestos removal work means work that is required to be licensed under section 485.

Class B asbestos removal licence means a licence that authorises the carrying out of Class B asbestos removal work by or on behalf of the licence holder.

Class B asbestos removal work means work that is required to be licensed under section 487, but does not include Class A asbestos removal work.

class label means a pictogram described in the ADG Code for a class, or division of a class, of dangerous goods.

clearance certificate—see section 474.

clearance inspection—see section 473.

combustible dust means finely divided solid particles, including dust, fibres or flyings, that are—

  • (a)

    suspended in air or settle out of the atmosphere under their own weight, and

  • (b)

    able to burn or glow in air, and

  • (c)

    able to form an explosive mixture with air at atmospheric pressure and normal temperature.

combustible liquid means a liquid, other than a flammable liquid, that has a flash point, and a fire point less than its boiling point.

combustible substance means a substance that is combustible, and includes dust, fibres, fumes, mists or vapours produced by the substance.

Examples—

wood, paper, oil, iron filings

competency assessment, for Part 4.5, means an assessment in relation to the completion of a specified VET course to carry out a class of high risk work.

competent person means the following—

  • (a)

    for electrical work on energised electrical equipment or energised electrical installations, other than testing referred to in sections 150 and 165—a person who is authorised under the Home Building Act 1989 to do electrical wiring work,

  • (b)

    for general diving work—see sections 174 and 177,

  • (c)

    for a major inspection of a mobile crane or a tower crane under section 235—see section 235,

  • (d)

    for an inspection of an amusement device or passenger ropeway under section 241—see section 241,

  • (e)

    for design verification under section 252—a person who has the skills, qualifications, competence and experience to design the plant or verify the design,

  • (f)

    for a clearance inspection under section 473—a person who has acquired through training or experience the knowledge and skills of relevant asbestos removal industry practice and holds—

    • (i)

      a certification in relation to the specified VET course for asbestos assessor work, or

    • (ii)

      a tertiary qualification in occupational health and safety, occupational hygiene, science, building, construction or environmental health,

  • (g)

    otherwise—a person who has acquired through training, qualification or experience the knowledge and skills to carry out the task.

concrete placing boom means plant incorporating an articulating boom, capable of power operated slewing and luffing to place concrete by pumping through a pipeline attached to, or forming part of, the boom of the plant.

confined space means an enclosed or partially enclosed space, other than a mine shaft or the workings of a mine, that—

  • (a)

    is not designed or intended primarily to be occupied by a person, and

  • (b)

    is, or is designed or intended to be, at normal atmospheric pressure while a person is in the space, and

  • (c)

    is or is likely to be a risk to health and safety from—

    • (i)

      an atmosphere that does not have a safe oxygen level, or

    • (ii)

      contaminants, including airborne gases, vapours and dusts, that may cause injury from fire or explosion, or

    • (iii)

      harmful concentrations of airborne contaminants, or

    • (iv)

      engulfment.

confined space entry permit means a confined space entry permit issued under section 67.

construction project—see section 292.

construction work—see section 289.

consumer product means a thing that—

  • (a)

    is packed or repacked primarily for use by a household consumer or for use in an office, and

  • (b)

    if the thing is packed or repacked primarily for use by a household consumer—is packed in the way and quantity in which it is intended to be used by a household consumer, and

  • (c)

    if the thing is packed or repacked primarily for use in an office—is packed in the way and quantity in which it is intended to be used for office work.

container, in relation to a hazardous chemical, means anything in or by which a hazardous chemical is, or has been, wholly or partly covered, enclosed or packed, including anything necessary for the container to perform its function as a container.

contaminant means a substance that may be harmful to health or safety.

control measure, in relation to a risk to health and safety, means a measure to eliminate or minimise the risk.

controlled, in relation to the processing of a CSS—see section 529B.

conveyor means equipment or apparatus, including the superstructure, gear and auxiliary equipment used in connection with the equipment or apparatus, operated by power other than manual power and by which loads are raised, lowered or transported or capable of being raised, lowered, transported, or continuously driven, by—

  • (a)

    an endless belt, rope or chain or other similar means, or

  • (b)

    buckets, trays or other containers or fittings moved by an endless belt, rope, chain or similar means, or

  • (c)

    a rotating screw, or

  • (d)

    a vibration or walking beam, or

  • (e)

    a powered roller conveyor if the rollers are driven by an endless belt, rope or chain or other similar means.

correct classification means the set of hazard classes and hazard categories assigned to a hazardous chemical when it is correctly classified.

Note—

Part 1 of Schedule 9 sets out when a hazardous chemical is correctly classified.

correctly classified—see Schedule 9, Part 1.

Note—

This definition is a NSW provision.

correctly labelled—see Schedule 9, Part 3.

Note—

This definition is a NSW provision.

correctly packed—see Schedule 9, Part 2.

Note—

This definition is a NSW provision.

corresponding demolition law, for Part 4.6—see section 141A.

Note—

This definition is a NSW provision.

corresponding demolition regulator, for Part 4.6—see section 141A.

Note—

This definition is a NSW provision.

corresponding environment protection law, for Part 4.6—see section 141A.

Note—

This definition is a NSW provision.

crane means an appliance intended for raising or lowering a load and moving it horizontally including the supporting structure of the crane and its foundations, but does not include the following—

  • (a)

    an industrial lift truck,

  • (b)

    earthmoving machinery,

  • (c)

    an amusement device,

  • (d)

    a tractor,

  • (e)

    an industrial robot,

  • (f)

    a conveyor,

  • (g)

    building maintenance equipment,

  • (h)

    a suspended scaffold,

  • (i)

    a lift.

crystalline silica—see section 529A.

crystalline silica substance (CSS)—see section 529A.

current certificate of medical fitness means a certificate of medical fitness that—

  • (a)

    was issued within the past 12 months, and

  • (b)

    has not expired or been revoked.

demolition licence, for Part 4.6—see section 141A.

Note—

This definition is a NSW provision.

demolition work means work to demolish or dismantle a structure, or part of a structure that is loadbearing or otherwise related to the physical integrity of the structure, but does not include—

  • (a)

    the dismantling of formwork, falsework, or other structures designed or used to give support, access or containment during construction work, or

  • (b)

    the removal of power, light or telecommunication poles.

derrick crane means a slewing strut boom crane with its boom pivoted at the base of a mast that is—

  • (a)

    guyed, a guy derrick, or held by backstays, a stiff legged derrick, and

  • (b)

    capable of luffing under load.

designer, in relation to plant, a substance or structure, has the same meaning as in the Act, section 22.

determined major hazard facility means a facility that has been determined under section 541 or 542 to be a major hazard facility.

digital general construction induction training card means a general construction induction training card in electronic form that—

  • (a)

    is displayed on a mobile phone or other electronic device using software approved for that purpose by the regulator, and

  • (b)

    includes the information required by this regulation to be shown on a digital general construction induction training card.

direct fired process heater means an arrangement of one or more coils, located in the radiant zone or convection zone, or both, of a combustion chamber, the primary purpose of which is to raise the temperature of a process fluid circulated through the coils, to allow distillation, fractionalism, reaction or other petrochemical processing of the process fluid, whether the fluid is liquid or gas, or a combination of liquid and gas.

dogging work means—

  • (a)

    the application of slinging techniques, including the selection and inspection of lifting gear, to safely sling a load, or

  • (b)

    the directing of a plant operator in the movement of a load when the load is out of the operator’s view.

duty holder, for Part 3.1, means a person referred to in section 32.

EANx, for Part 4.8, means a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen in which the volume of oxygen is at least 22%.

earthmoving machinery means operator controlled plant used to excavate, load, transport, compact or spread earth, overburden, rubble, spoil, aggregate or similar material, but does not include a tractor or industrial lift truck.

electrical equipment—see section 144 and section 148 for Part 4.7, Division 3.

electrical installation—see section 145 and section 148 for Part 4.7, Division 3.

electrical risk means risk to a person of death, shock or other injury caused directly or indirectly by electricity.

electrical work—see section 146.

electricity supply authority means a person or body engaged in the distribution of electricity to the public or the generation of electricity for supply, directly or indirectly, to the public whether by statute, franchise agreement or otherwise and includes—

  • (a)

    an energy services corporation within the meaning of the Energy Services Corporations Act 1995, and

  • (b)

    a network operator within the meaning of the Electricity Supply Act 1995, and

  • (c)

    the Transport Asset Manager of New South Wales constituted by the Transport Administration Act 1988, Part 2, and

  • (d)

    Sydney Trains, and

  • (e)

    Sydney Metro, and

  • (f)

    Transport for NSW, and

  • (g)

    the Water Administration Ministerial Corporation constituted by section 371 of the Water Management Act 2000.

emergency service organisation includes the following—

  • (a)

    the Ambulance Service of NSW within the meaning of the Health Services Act 1997, Chapter 5A,

  • (b)

    Fire and Rescue NSW,

  • (c)

    the NSW Rural Fire Service,

  • (d)

    the NSW Police Force,

  • (e)

    the State Emergency Service,

  • (f)

    the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Inc,

  • (g)

    the New South Wales Mines Rescue Brigade established under the Coal Industry Act 2001,

  • (h)

    an accredited rescue unit within the meaning of the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989.

emergency service worker includes an officer, employee or member of one or more of the following—

  • (a)

    the Ambulance Service of NSW within the meaning of the Health Services Act 1997,

  • (b)

    Fire and Rescue NSW,

  • (c)

    the NSW Rural Fire Service,

  • (d)

    the NSW Police Force,

  • (e)

    the State Emergency Service,

  • (f)

    the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Inc,

  • (g)

    the New South Wales Mines Rescue Brigade established under the Coal Industry Act 2001,

  • (h)

    an accredited rescue unit within the meaning of the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989.

engineered stone—see section 529A(4).

engineering control means a control measure that is physical in nature, including a mechanical device or process.

entry, by a person into a confined space, means the person’s head or upper body is in the confined space or within the boundary of the confined space.

essential services means the supply of—

  • (a)

    gas, water, sewerage, telecommunications, electricity and similar services, or

  • (b)

    chemicals, fuel and refrigerant in pipes or lines.

excavation means a trench, tunnel or shaft, but does not include—

  • (a)

    a mine, or

  • (b)

    a bore to which the Water Act 1912 applies, or

  • (c)

    a trench for use as a place of interment.

excavation work means work to—

  • (a)

    make an excavation, or

  • (b)

    fill or partly fill an excavation.

explosives law, for Part 4.6—see section 141A.

Note—

This definition is a NSW provision.

exposure standard, except in Part 4.1, means an exposure standard in the Workplace Exposure Standard for Airborne Contaminants.

exposure standard for noise—see section 56.

external review means an external review under Part 11.1.

extra-low voltage means voltage that does not exceed 50 volts alternating current (50V AC) or 120 volts ripple-free direct current (120V ripple-free DC).

facility, in Chapter 9, means a workplace at which Schedule 15 chemicals are present or likely to be present.

fall arrest system means plant or material designed to arrest a fall.

Example—

an industrial safety net, a catch platform or a safety harness system, other than a system that relies entirely on a restraint technique system

fault, in relation to plant, means a break or defect that may cause the plant to present a risk to health and safety.

fee unit, for Schedule 2—see section 1.

Note—

This definition is a NSW provision.

female of reproductive capacity, in Part 7.2, means a female, including a person with female reproductive organs, other than a person who provides information stating that the person is not of reproductive capacity.

fire risk hazardous chemical means a hazardous chemical that—

  • (a)

    is one or more of the following—

    • (i)

      a flammable gas,

    • (ii)

      a flammable liquid (hazard category 1 to 3),

    • (iii)

      a flammable solid,

    • (iv)

      a substance liable to spontaneous combustion,

    • (v)

      a substance which, in contact with water, emits flammable gases,

    • (vi)

      an oxidizing substance,

    • (vii)

      an organic peroxide, and

  • (b)

    burns readily or supports combustion.

fitness criteria, in relation to diving work, means the fitness criteria specified in clause M4 of Appendix M to AS/NZS 2299.1:2015, Occupational diving operations, Part 1:Standard operational practice.

flammable gas has the same meaning as in the GHS.

flammable liquid means a flammable liquid within the meaning of the GHS that has a flash point of less than 93°C.

forklift truck, for Schedules 3 and 4, means a powered industrial truck equipped with lifting media made up of a mast and an elevating load carriage to which is attached a pair of fork arms or other arms that can be raised 900mm or more above the ground, but does not include a pedestrian-operated truck or a pallet truck.

friable asbestos means material that—

  • (a)

    is in a powder form or can be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to a powder by hand pressure when dry, and

  • (b)

    contains asbestos.

gantry crane means a crane that—

  • (a)

    consists of a bridge beam or beams supported at one or both ends by legs mounted to end carriages, and

  • (b)

    is capable of travelling on supporting surfaces or deck levels, whether fixed or not, and

  • (c)

    has a crab with one or more hoisting units arranged to travel across the bridge.

gas cylinder means a rigid vessel that is—

  • (a)

    not more than 3000L water capacity and is without openings or integral attachments on the shell other than at the ends, and

  • (b)

    designed for the storage and transport of gas under pressure, and

  • (c)

    covered by AS 2030.1–2009, Gas cylinders, Part 1:General requirements.

general construction induction training means training delivered in Australia by an RTO for the specified VET course for general construction induction training.

general construction induction training card means—

  • (a)

    for Part 6.5, Division 2—a general construction induction training card issued under that division, or

  • (b)

    otherwise—a general construction induction training card issued—

    • (i)

      under Part 6.5, Division 2 or under a corresponding WHS law, or

    • (ii)

      by an RTO under an agreement between the regulator and an RTO or a corresponding regulator and an RTO, or

    • (iii)

      as a digital general construction induction training card issued under Part 6.5, Division 2A.

general construction induction training certification means a certification for the completion of the specified VET course for general construction induction training.

general diving work means work, other than high risk diving work, carried out in or under water while breathing compressed gas, and includes—

  • (a)

    incidental diving work, and

  • (b)

    limited scientific diving work.

genuine research means systematic investigative or experimental activities carried out to acquire new knowledge, whether or not the knowledge will have a specific practical application, or to create new or improved materials, products, devices, processes or services.

GHS means the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, Seventh revised edition, published by the United Nations as modified under Schedule 6.

Note—

The Schedule 6 tables replace some tables in the GHS.

GHS 3 means the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, Third revised edition, published by the United Nations as modified under Schedule 6.

Note—

The Schedule 6 tables replace some tables in GHS 3.

hazard category means a division of criteria within a hazard class in the GHS.

hazard class means the nature of a physical, health or environmental hazard under the GHS.

hazard pictogram means a graphical composition, including a symbol plus other graphical elements, that is assigned in the GHS to a hazard class or hazard category.

hazard statement means a statement assigned in the GHS to a hazard class or hazard category describing the nature of the hazards of a hazardous chemical including, if appropriate, the degree of hazard.

hazardous area means an area in which—

  • (a)

    an explosive gas is present in the atmosphere in a quantity that requires special precautions to be taken for the construction, installation and use of plant, or

  • (b)

    a combustible dust is present, or could reasonably be expected to be present, in the atmosphere in a quantity that requires special precautions to be taken for the construction, installation and use of plant.

hazardous chemical means a substance, mixture or article that satisfies the criteria for one or more hazard classes in the GHS, including a classification referred to in Schedule 6, unless the only hazard class or classes for which the substance, mixture or article satisfies the criteria is one or more of the following—

  • (a)

    acute toxicity—oral—category 5,

  • (b)

    acute toxicity—dermal—category 5,

  • (c)

    acute toxicity—inhalation—category 5,

  • (d)

    skin corrosion/irritation—category 3,

  • (e)

    aspiration hazard—category 2,

  • (f)

    flammable gas—category 2,

  • (g)

    acute hazard to the aquatic environment—category 1, 2 or 3,

  • (h)

    chronic hazard to the aquatic environment—category 1, 2, 3 or 4,

  • (i)

    hazardous to the ozone layer.

Note—

The Schedule 6 tables replace some tables in the GHS.

hazardous manual task means a task that requires a person to lift, lower, push, pull, carry or otherwise move, hold or restrain a person, animal or thing that involves one or more of the following—

  • (a)

    repetitive or sustained force,

  • (b)

    high or sudden force,

  • (c)

    repetitive movement,

  • (d)

    sustained or awkward posture,

  • (e)

    exposure to vibration.

Examples—

a task requiring a person to restrain live animals

a task requiring a person to lift or move loads that are unstable or unbalanced or are difficult to grasp or hold

a task requiring a person to sort objects on a conveyor belt

Hazchem Code means a Hazchem Code under the ADG Code, also known as an Emergency Action Code.

head or upper body means the area of a person’s body at or above the person’s shoulders.

health monitoring, of a person, means monitoring the person to identify changes in the person’s health status because of exposure to certain substances.

heritage boiler means a boiler that—

  • (a)

    was manufactured before 1952, and

  • (b)

    is used for a historical purpose or activity, including an activity that is ancillary to a historical activity.

Examples—

historical activity: a historical display, parade, demonstration or re-enactment

activity ancillary to a historical activity: restoring, maintaining, modifying, servicing, repairing or housing a boiler used, or to be used, for a historical activity

high risk, in relation to the processing of a CSS, means the processing of a CSS that is reasonably likely to result in a risk to the health of a person at the workplace.

high risk construction work—see section 291.

high risk diving work means work, other than minor work carried out in the sea or the waters of a bay or inlet or a marina that involves cleaning, inspecting, maintaining or searching for a vessel or mooring—

  • (a)

    carried out in or under water or another liquid while breathing compressed gas, and

  • (b)

    involving one or more of the following—

    • (i)

      construction work,

      Notes—

      Subparagraph (ii) includes some additional construction-related activities.

      For construction work generally, see Chapter 6. For the meaning of construction work, see section 289.

    • (ii)

      work of the kind described in section 289(3)(d),

    • (iii)

      inspection work carried out to determine whether or not work described in subparagraph (i) or (ii) is necessary,

    • (iv)

      the recovery or salvage of a large structure or large item of plant for commercial purposes.

high risk work means work set out in Schedule 3 as being within the scope of a high risk work licence.

high risk work licence means a licence listed in Schedule 3.

hoist means an appliance intended for raising or lowering a load or people, and includes an elevating work platform, a mast climbing work platform, personnel and materials hoist, scaffolding hoist and serial hoist, but does not include a lift or building maintenance equipment.

ignition source means a source of energy capable of igniting flammable or combustible substances.

importer, in relation to plant, a substance or a structure, has the same meaning as in the Act, section 24.

incidental diving work means general diving work that—

  • (a)

    is incidental to the conduct of the business or undertaking in which the diving work is carried out, and

    Example—

    Acting underwater is incidental to the business or undertaking of filming.

  • (b)

    involves limited diving.

independent, in relation to clearance inspections and air monitoring under Chapter 8, means—

  • (a)

    not involved in the removal of the asbestos in relation to which the inspection or monitoring is conducted, and

  • (b)

    not involved in a business or undertaking involved in the removal of the asbestos in relation to which the inspection or monitoring is conducted.

industrial lift truck means powered mobile plant, designed to move goods, materials or equipment that is equipped with an elevating load carriage and is in the normal course of use equipped with a load-holding attachment, but does not include a mobile crane or earthmoving machinery.

industrial robot means plant that is a multifunctional manipulator and its controllers, capable of handling materials, parts or tools, or specialised devices, through variable programmed motions for the performance of a variety of tasks.

inflatable device (continuously blown) means an amusement device that is an inflatable device that relies on a continuous supply of air pressure to maintain its shape.

in situ asbestos means asbestos or ACM fixed or installed in a structure, equipment or plant, but does not include naturally occurring asbestos.

intermediate bulk container (IBC) has the same meaning as IBC has in the ADG Code.

internal review means internal review under Part 11.1.

in transit, in relation to a thing, means that the thing—

  • (a)

    is supplied to, or stored at, a workplace in containers that are not opened at the workplace, and

  • (b)

    is not used at the workplace, and

  • (c)

    is kept at the workplace for not more than 5 consecutive days.

lead means lead metal, lead alloys, inorganic lead compounds and lead salts of organic acids.

lead process—see section 392.

lead process area means a workplace or part of a workplace where a lead process is carried out.

lead risk work—see section 394.

licence holder means—

  • (a)

    for a high risk work licence—the person who is licensed to carry out the work, or

  • (b)

    for an asbestos assessor licence—the person who is licensed—

    • (i)

      to carry out air monitoring during Class A asbestos removal work, and

    • (ii)

      to carry out clearance inspections of Class A asbestos removal work, and

    • (iii)

      to issue clearance certificates in relation to Class A asbestos removal work, or

  • (c)

    for an asbestos removal licence—the person conducting the business or undertaking to whom the licence is granted, or

  • (d)

    for a major hazard facility licence—the operator of the major hazard facility to whom the licence is granted or transferred, or

  • (e)

    for a demolition licence—the person conducting the business or undertaking to whom the licence is granted.

Note—

Paragraph (e) is a NSW provision.

licensed asbestos assessor means a person who holds an asbestos assessor licence.

licensed asbestos removalist means a person conducting a business or undertaking who is licensed under this regulation to carry out Class A asbestos removal work or Class B asbestos removal work.

licensed asbestos removal work means asbestos removal work for which a Class A asbestos removal licence or Class B asbestos removal licence is required.

licensed demolition work, for Part 4.6—see section 141A.

Note—

This definition is a NSW provision.

licensed major hazard facility means a major hazard facility that is licensed under Part 9.7.

lift means plant that is, or is intended to be, permanently installed in or attached to a structure, in which people, goods or materials may be raised or lowered within a car or cage, or on a platform and the movement of which is restricted by a guide or guides, and includes—

  • (a)

    a chairlift and stairway lift, and

  • (b)

    a supporting structure, machinery, equipment, gear, lift well, enclosures and entrances.

limited diving means diving that does not involve one or more of the following—

  • (a)

    diving to a depth below 30m,

  • (b)

    the need for a decompression stop,

  • (c)

    the use of mechanical lifting equipment or a buoyancy lifting device,

  • (d)

    diving beneath anything that would require the diver to move sideways before being able to ascend,

  • (e)

    the use of plant that is powered from the surface,

  • (f)

    diving for more than 28 days during a period of 6 months.

limited scientific diving work means general diving work that—

  • (a)

    is carried out for professional scientific research, natural resource management or scientific research as an educational activity, and

  • (b)

    involves only limited diving.

load shifting machinery, for Part 4.6—see section 141A.

Note—

This definition is a NSW provision.

local authority, in relation to a facility, means the local authority for the local authority area in which the facility and the surrounding area are located.

local community, in relation to a major hazard facility, means the community in the surrounding area.

lower explosive limit (LEL), in relation to a flammable gas, vapour or mist, means the concentration of the gas, vapour or mist in air below which the propagation of a flame does not occur on contact with an ignition source.

maintain, in relation to plant or a structure in Chapter 5, includes repair or servicing of plant or a structure.

major hazard facility means a facility—

  • (a)

    at which Schedule 15 chemicals are present or likely to be present in a quantity that exceeds their threshold quantity, or

  • (b)

    that is determined by the regulator under Part 9.2 to be a major hazard facility.

major hazard facility licence means a licence granted under Part 9.7 in relation to a major hazard facility.

major incident—see section 531.

major incident hazard means a hazard that could cause, or contribute to causing, a major incident.

manifest means a written summary of the hazardous chemicals used, handled or stored at a workplace.

Note—

See Schedule 12 for what a manifest must contain.

manifest quantity, in relation to a Schedule 11 hazardous chemical, means the manifest quantity referred to in Schedule 11, table 11.1, column 5 for the hazardous chemical.

manufacturer, in relation to plant, a substance or a structure, has the same meaning as in the Act, section 23.

mast climbing work platform means a hoist with a working platform used for temporary purposes to raise personnel and materials to the working position by means of a drive system mounted on an extendable mast that may be tied to a structure.

materials hoist means a hoist that—

  • (a)

    consists of a car, bucket or platform cantilevered from, and travelling up and down outside, a face of the support of a structure, and

  • (b)

    is used for hoisting things and substances but not persons.

membrane filter method means the membrane filter method described in the Guidance Note on the Membrane Filter Method for Estimating Airborne Asbestos Fibres [NOHSC:3003 (2005)].

mixture for Part 7.1, means a combination of, or a solution composed of, 2 or more substances that do not react with each other.

mobile crane means a crane capable of travelling over a supporting surface without the need for fixed runways and relying only on gravity for stability.

modification, in relation to a facility—see section 534.

musculoskeletal disorder means an injury to, or disease of, the musculoskeletal system, whether occurring suddenly or over time, but does not include an injury caused by crushing, entrapment or cutting resulting principally from the mechanical operation of plant.

named supervisor, for Part 4.6—see section 141A.

Note—

This definition is a NSW provision.

NATA means the National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia.

NATA-accredited laboratory means a testing laboratory accredited by NATA, or recognised by NATA either solely or with someone else.

naturally occurring asbestos means the natural geological occurrence of asbestos minerals found in association with geological deposits including rock, sediment or soil.

non-friable asbestos means material containing asbestos that is not friable asbestos, including material containing asbestos fibres reinforced with a bonding compound.

Note—

Non-friable asbestos may become friable asbestos through deterioration—see definition of friable asbestos.

non-slewing mobile crane means a mobile crane incorporating a boom or jib that cannot be slewed, other than a vehicle tow truck, and includes—

  • (a)

    an articulated mobile crane, or

  • (b)

    a locomotive crane.

notice of satisfactory assessment means a notice stating that the person to whom it is issued has successfully completed a specified VET course.

operator, in relation to a facility or a proposed facility—see section 533.

operator protective device, includes a roll-over protective structure, falling object protective structure, operator restraining device and seat belt.

order-picking forklift truck, for Schedules 3 and 4, means a forklift truck where the operator’s controls are incorporated with the lifting media and elevate with the lifting media.

packaged hazardous chemicals means Schedule 11 hazardous chemicals in a container with—

  • (a)

    a capacity not exceeding 500L, or

  • (b)

    a net mass not exceeding 500kg.

passenger ropeway means a powered ropeway used for transporting, in a horizontal or inclined plane, passengers moved by a carrier that is—

  • (a)

    attached to or supported by a moving rope, or

  • (b)

    attached to a moving rope but supported by a standing rope or other overhead structure,

including, in relation to the powered ropeway, the prime mover, associated transmission machinery and any supporting structure and equipment, but does not include the following—

  • (c)

    a cog railway,

  • (d)

    a cable car running on rails,

  • (e)

    a flying fox or similar device,

  • (f)

    an elevating system for vehicles or boat style carriers associated with amusement devices,

    Example—

    an elevating system for a log ride or boat flume ride

  • (g)

    a winding system in a mine.

person with management or control of plant at a workplace has the same meaning as person with management or control of fixtures, fittings or plant at a workplace has in the Act, section 21.

person with management or control of a workplace has the same meaning as in the Act, section 20.

personal protective equipment means anything used or worn by a person to minimise risk to the person’s health and safety, including air supplied respiratory equipment.

personnel and materials hoist means a hoist—

  • (a)

    that is a cantilever hoist, a tower hoist or several winches configured to operate as a hoist, and

  • (b)

    that is intended to carry goods, materials or people.

pipeline means pipe work that crosses a boundary of a workplace, beginning or ending at the nearest fluid or slurry control point, along the axis of the pipeline, to the boundary.

pipe work means a pipe or assembly of pipes, pipe fittings, valves and pipe accessories used to convey a hazardous chemical.

placard means a sign or notice—

  • (a)

    displayed or intended for display in a prominent place, or next to a container or storage area for hazardous chemicals at a workplace, and

  • (b)

    that contains information about the hazardous chemical stored in the container or storage area.

placard quantity, in relation to a Schedule 11 hazardous chemical, means the placard quantity referred to in Schedule 11, table 11.1, column 4 for the Schedule 11 hazardous chemical.

plant, for Parts 5.2 and 5.3, includes a structure.

platform height, in relation to an inflatable device (continuously blown), means the height of the highest part of the device designed to support persons using it (the platform), as measured from the surface supporting the device to the top surface of the platform when the device is inflated but unloaded.

porcelain product does not include a product that contains resin.

portal boom crane means a boom crane or a jib crane that is mounted on a portal frame that, in turn, is supported on runways along which the crane travels.

powered mobile plant means plant that is provided with some form of self-propulsion that is ordinarily under the direct control of an operator.

precautionary statement means a phrase prescribed by the GHS that describes measures that are recommended to be taken to prevent or minimise—

  • (a)

    the adverse effects of exposure to a hazardous chemical, or

  • (b)

    improper handling of a hazardous chemical.

presence-sensing safeguarding system includes—

  • (a)

    a sensing system that uses one or more forms of radiation either self-generated or otherwise generated by pressure, and

  • (b)

    the interface between the final switching devices of the sensing system and the machine primary control elements, and

  • (c)

    the machine stopping capabilities, by which the presence of a person or part of a person within the sensing field will cause the dangerous parts of a machine to be brought to a safe state.

pressure equipment means boilers, pressure vessels and pressure piping.

pressure piping

  • (a)

    means an assembly of pipes, pipe fittings, valves and pipe accessories subject to internal or external pressure and used to contain or convey fluid or to transmit fluid pressure, and

  • (b)

    includes distribution headers, bolting, gaskets, pipe supports and pressure containing accessories, and

  • (c)

    does not include—

    • (i)

      a boiler or pressure vessel, or

    • (ii)

      piping that is regulated under the Gas Supply Act 1996, the Petroleum (Offshore) Act 1982 or the Pipelines Act 1967.

pressure vessel

  • (a)

    means a vessel subject to internal or external pressure, and

  • (b)

    includes—

    • (i)

      interconnected parts and components, valves, gauges and other fittings up to the first point of connection to connecting piping, and

    • (ii)

      fired heaters, and

    • (iii)

      gas cylinders, and

  • (c)

    does not include a boiler or pressure piping.

primary emergency service organisation means Fire and Rescue NSW.

principal contractor, in relation to a construction project—see section 293.

processing, in relation to a CSS—see section 529A.

product identifier means the name or number used to identify a product on a label or in a safety data sheet.

prohibited carcinogen means a substance—

  • (a)

    listed in Schedule 10, table 10.1, column 2, and

  • (b)

    present in a concentration of—

    • (i)

      for a solid or liquid—0.1% or more, determined as a weight/weight (w/w) concentration, and

    • (ii)

      for a gas—0.1% or more, determined as a volume/volume (v/v) concentration.

proposed facility means—

  • (a)

    an existing workplace that is to become a facility due to the introduction of Schedule 15 chemicals, or

  • (b)

    a facility that is being designed or constructed.

proposed major hazard facility means—

  • (a)

    an existing facility or other workplace that is to become a major hazard facility due to the introduction of Schedule 15 chemicals or the addition of further Schedule 15 chemicals, or

  • (b)

    a major hazard facility that is being designed or constructed.

psychosocial hazard—see section 55A.

psychosocial risk—see section 55B.

quantity, for Chapter 7, means—

  • (a)

    for a hazardous chemical that is not a liquid or a gas or a gas under pressure and is in a container or storage or handling system—the mass in kilograms of the hazardous chemical in the container or storage or handling system, and

  • (b)

    for a hazardous chemical that is a liquid and is not a gas under pressure and is in a container or storage or handling system—the net capacity in litres of the container or storage or handling system, and

  • (c)

    for a hazardous chemical that is a gas or gas under pressure in a container or storage or handling system—the water capacity in litres of the container or storage or handling system, and

  • (d)

    for a hazardous chemical that is not a liquid and is in bulk and not in a container—the undivided mass in kilograms, and

  • (e)

    for a hazardous chemical that is a thing and is not a gas—the net capacity of the part of the thing that comprises a hazardous chemical.

reach stacker means a powered reach stacker that incorporates an attachment for lifting and lowering a shipping container.

reciprocating steam engine means equipment that is driven by steam acting on a piston causing the piston to move, and includes an expanding (steam) reciprocating engine.

registered training organisation (RTO) means a training organisation that—

  • (a)

    is listed as a registered training organisation on the National Register established under the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 of the Commonwealth, and

  • (b)

    has entered into an agreement with the regulator to deliver training and conduct assessments.

relevant fee, in relation to a matter, means the fee specified in Schedule 2 for the matter.

relevant law, for Part 4.6—see section 141A.

Note—

This definition is a NSW provision.

relevant licence, for Part 4.6—see section 141A.

Note—

This definition is a NSW provision.

relevant matter, for Part 4.6—see section 141A.

Note—

This definition is a NSW provision.

research chemical means a substance or mixture that—

  • (a)

    is manufactured in a laboratory for genuine research, and

  • (b)

    is not for use or supply for a purpose other than analysis or genuine research.

respirable asbestos fibre means an asbestos fibre that—

  • (a)

    is less than 3 micrometres wide, and

  • (b)

    more than 5 micrometres long, and

  • (c)

    has a length to width ratio of more than 3:1.

restricted carcinogen means a substance—

  • (a)

    listed in Schedule 10, table 10.2, column 2 for a use listed in column 3, and

  • (b)

    present in a concentration of—

    • (i)

      for a solid or liquid—0.1% or more, determined as a weight/weight (w/w) concentration, and

    • (ii)

      for a gas—0.1% or more, determined as a volume/volume (v/v) concentration.

restricted demolition licence, for Part 4.6—see section 141A.

Note—

This definition is a NSW provision.

retailer means a person whose principal business is supplying consumer products to members of the public who are not engaged in the further supply of the products.

rigging work means—

  • (a)

    the use of mechanical load shifting equipment and associated gear to move, place or secure a load using plant, equipment or members of a structure to ensure the stability of the members, or

  • (b)

    the setting up or dismantling of cranes or hoists.

safe oxygen level means a minimum oxygen content of air of 19.5% by volume under normal atmospheric pressure and a maximum oxygen content of air of 23.5% by volume under normal atmospheric pressure.

Safe Work Australia means Safe Work Australia as established under section 5 of the Safe Work Australia Act 2008 of the Commonwealth.

safe work method statement means—

  • (a)

    in relation to electrical work on energised electrical equipment—a safe work method statement prepared under section 161,

  • (b)

    in relation to high risk construction work—a safe work method statement referred to in section 299, as revised under section 302.

safety data sheet means a safety data sheet prepared under section 330 or 331.

scaffold means a temporary structure specifically erected to support access or working platforms.

scaffolding work means erecting, altering or dismantling a temporary structure that is or has been erected to support a platform and from which a person or object could fall more than 4m from the platform or the structure.

Schedule 11 hazardous chemical means a hazardous chemical or combination of hazardous chemicals specified in Schedule 11, table 11.1.

Schedule 15 chemical means a hazardous chemical that—

  • (a)

    is specified in Schedule 15, table 15.1, or

  • (b)

    belongs to a class, type or category of hazardous chemicals specified in Schedule 15, table 15.2.

self-erecting tower crane means a crane—

  • (a)

    that is not disassembled into a tower element and a boom or jib element in the normal course of use, and

  • (b)

    where the erection and dismantling processes are an inherent part of the crane’s function.

serially produced vessels means pressure vessels—

  • (a)

    with the same—

    • (i)

      diameter, and

    • (ii)

      configuration, and

    • (iii)

      nominal thickness, and

    • (iv)

      materials, and

    • (v)

      openings, and

    • (vi)

      attachments, and

  • (b)

    that are produced—

    • (i)

      in series, and

    • (ii)

      in a way and a quantity that allows for the use of statistical methods for quality control.

Note—

This definition is a NSW provision.

shaft means a vertical or inclined way or opening, from the surface downwards or from an underground working, the dimensions of which, apart from the perimeter, are less than its depth.

signal word means the word “danger” or “warning” used on a label to indicate to a label reader the relative severity level of a hazard, and to alert the reader to a potential hazard, under the GHS.

silica risk control plan means, in relation to the processing of a CSS that is high risk, a silica risk control plan prepared under section 529CB.

sintered stone does not include a product that contains resin.

slewing mobile crane means a mobile crane incorporating a boom or jib that can be slewed, but does not include the following when configured for crane operation—

  • (a)

    a front end loader, or

  • (b)

    a backhoe, or

  • (c)

    an excavator, or

  • (d)

    other earth moving equipment.

slinging techniques means the exercising of judgement in relation to the suitability and condition of lifting gear and the method of slinging, by consideration of the nature of the load, its mass and centre of gravity.

specified VET course means—

  • (a)

    in relation to general construction induction training—the VET course Work Safely in the Construction Industry or a corresponding subsequent VET accredited course, or

  • (b)

    in relation to Class A asbestos removal work—the VET course Remove friable asbestos, or

  • (c)

    in relation to Class B asbestos removal work—the VET course Remove non friable asbestos, or

  • (d)

    in relation to the supervision of asbestos removal work—the VET course Supervise asbestos removal, or

  • (e)

    in relation to asbestos assessor work—the VET course Conduct air monitoring and clearance inspections for asbestos removal work, or

  • (f)

    in relation to high risk work—the relevant VET course specified in Schedule 4.

steam turbine means equipment that is driven by steam acting on a turbine or rotor to cause a rotary motion.

structure, for Chapter 6—see section 290.

substance, for Part 7.1, means a chemical element or compound in its natural state or obtained or generated by a process—

  • (a)

    including an additive necessary to preserve the stability of the element or compound and an impurity deriving from the process, but

  • (b)

    excluding a solvent that may be separated without affecting the stability of the element or compound, or changing its composition.

supplier, in relation to plant, a substance or structure, has the same meaning as in the Act, section 25.

surrounding area, in relation to a facility, means the area surrounding the facility in which the health and safety of persons could potentially be adversely affected by a major incident occurring.

suspended scaffold means a scaffold incorporating a suspended platform that is capable of being raised or lowered when in use.

technical name, for the definition of chemical identity, means a name that is—

  • (a)

    ordinarily used in commerce, regulations and codes to identify a substance or mixture, other than an International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry or Chemical Abstracts Service name, and

  • (b)

    recognised by the scientific community.

temporary work platform means—

  • (a)

    a fixed, mobile or suspended scaffold, or

  • (b)

    an elevating work platform, or

  • (c)

    a mast climbing work platform, or

  • (d)

    a work box supported by a crane, hoist, forklift truck or other form of mechanical plant, or

  • (e)

    building maintenance equipment, including a building maintenance unit, or

  • (f)

    a portable or mobile fabricated platform, or

  • (g)

    another temporary platform that—

    • (i)

      provides a working area, and

    • (ii)

      is designed to prevent a fall.

the Act means the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

theatrical performance means acting, singing, playing a musical instrument, dancing or otherwise performing literary or artistic works or expressions of traditional custom or folklore.

threshold quantity, in relation to a Schedule 15 chemical, means—

  • (a)

    the threshold quantity of a specific hazardous chemical as determined under section 3 of Schedule 15, or

  • (b)

    the aggregate threshold quantity of 2 or more hazardous chemicals as determined under section 4 of Schedule 15.

tower crane means—

  • (a)

    a boom crane or a jib crane mounted on a tower structure, and

  • (b)

    for Schedule 3—

    • (i)

      the crane, if a jib crane, may be a horizontal or luffing jib type, and

    • (ii)

      the tower structure may be demountable or permanent, and

    • (iii)

      does not include a self-erecting tower crane.

tractor means a motor vehicle, whether wheeled or track mounted, designed to give power and movement to an attached machine or implement by a transmission shaft, belt or linkage system but does not include earthmoving machinery.

traffic control work, for Part 4.9—see section 184A.

Note—

This definition is a NSW provision.

trench means a horizontal or inclined way or opening—

  • (a)

    the length of which is greater than its width and greater than or equal to its depth, and

  • (b)

    that commences at and extends below the surface of the ground, and

  • (c)

    that is open to the surface along its length.

tunnel means an underground passage or opening that—

  • (a)

    is approximately horizontal, and

  • (b)

    commences at the surface of the ground or at an excavation.

UN number has the same meaning as in the ADG Code.

unrestricted demolition licence, for Part 4.6—see section 141A.

Note—

This definition is a NSW provision.

vehicle hoist means a device to hoist vehicles designed to give access for under-chassis examination or service.

vehicle loading crane means a crane mounted on a vehicle for the purpose of loading and unloading the vehicle.

VET course has the same meaning as in the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 of the Commonwealth.

WHS management plan, in relation to a construction project, means a management plan prepared or revised under Part 6.4.

work box means a personnel carrying device, designed to be suspended from a crane, to provide a working area for a person elevated by and working from the device.

work positioning system means plant or structure, other than a temporary work platform, that enables a person to be positioned and safely supported at a location for the duration of the relevant work being carried out.

Workers Compensation (Dust Diseases) Authority, for Part 8A.4—see section 529K.

Note—

This definition is a NSW provision.

Workplace Exposure Standards for Airborne Contaminants means the Workplace Exposure Standards for Airborne Contaminants published by Safe Work Australia, as in force or remade from time to time.

Note—

This definition is a NSW provision.

Note—

The Act and the Interpretation Act 1987 contain definitions and other provisions that affect the interpretation and application of this regulation.

(2)

*****

Note—

Not required in NSW.

5AMeaning of “corresponding WHS law”

For paragraph (b) of the definition of corresponding WHS law in the Act, section 4, the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 of the Northern Territory is prescribed.

6Determination of safety management system

The regulator may make a determination for the definition of certified safety management system.

7Meaning of “person conducting a business or undertaking”—persons excluded(1)

For the Act, section 5(6), a strata title body corporate that is responsible for a common area used only for residential purposes may be taken not to be a person conducting a business or undertaking in relation to the premises.

(2)

Subsection (1) does not apply if the strata title body corporate engages a worker as an employee.

(3)

For the Act, section 5(6), an incorporated association may be taken not to be a person conducting a business or undertaking if the incorporated association consists of a group of volunteers working together for one or more community purposes if—

  • (a)

    the incorporated association, either alone or jointly with another similar incorporated association, does not employ a person to carry out work for the incorporated association, and

  • (b)

    none of the volunteers, whether alone or jointly with other volunteers, employs a person to carry out work for the incorporated association.

(4)

In this section, strata title body corporate means an owners corporation constituted under the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015.

s 7: Am 2025 (536), Sch 1[1].

8Meaning of “supply”

For the Act, section 6(3)(b), a supply of a thing does not include the supply of a thing by a person who does not control the supply and has no authority to make decisions about the supply.

Examples—

an auctioneer who auctions a thing without having possession of the thing

a real estate agent acting in the agent’s capacity as a real estate agent

9Provisions linked to health and safety duties in Act

If a note at the foot of a provision of this regulation states “WHS Act” followed by a reference to a section number of the Act, the provision sets out the way in which a person’s duty or obligation under that section of the Act must be performed in relation to the matters and to the extent set out in the provision.

Note—

A failure to comply with a duty or obligation under a section of the Act referred to in a “WHS Act” note is an offence to which a penalty applies.

Part 1.2Application10Application of Act to dangerous goods and high risk plant(1)

The following provisions of the Act are excluded from the operation of the Act, Schedule 1—

  • (a)

    Part 5, Divisions 2–8,

  • (b)

    Part 6,

  • (c)

    Part 7.

(1A)

For the Act, Schedule 1, clause 6, definition of dangerous goods, dangerous goods listed in the section 328(1A), the Table are prescribed as dangerous goods if the quantity of the goods is more than the corresponding threshold for the goods.

(1B)

For subsection (1A), dangerous goods listed in section 328(1A), the Table have the same meaning as they have in the ADG Code.

(1C)

For the Act, Schedule 1, clause 6, definition of high risk plant, the following plant is prescribed—

  • (a)

    boilers categorised as hazard level A, B or C according to criteria specified in section 2.1 of AS 4343:2014, Pressure equipment—Hazard levels,

  • (b)

    pressure vessels categorised as hazard level A, B or C according to criteria specified in section 2.1 of AS 4343:2014, Pressure equipment—Hazard levels, excluding—

    • (i)

      LP gas fuel vessels for automotive use, and

    • (ii)

      serially produced vessels,

  • (c)

    lifts, escalators and travelators,

  • (d)

    amusement devices specified in section 2.1 of AS 3533.1-2009, Amusement rides and devices, Part 1:Design and construction, excluding the following—

    • (i)

      class 1 devices,

    • (ii)

      playground equipment,

    • (iii)

      water slides,

    • (iv)

      machines used to generate waves,

    • (v)

      sealed inflatable devices,

    • (vi)

      inflatable devices that do not use a non-return valve,

  • (e)

    gas cylinders.

Note—

Subsections (1A)–(1C) are NSW provisions.

11Application of regulation

A duty imposed on a person under a provision of this regulation in relation to health and safety does not limit or affect a duty the person has under the Act or, unless otherwise expressly provided, another provision of this regulation.

12Assessment of risk in relation to class of hazards, tasks, circumstances or things

If this regulation requires an assessment of risks to health and safety associated with a hazard, task, thing or circumstance, an assessment of risks associated with a class of hazards, tasks, things or circumstances may be conducted if—

  • (a)

    all hazards, tasks, things or circumstances in the class are the same, and

  • (b)

    the assessment of risks for the class does not result in a worker or other person being exposed to a greater, additional or different risk to health and safety than if the risk assessment were carried out in relation to each individual hazard, task, thing or circumstance.

Part 1.3Incorporated documents13Documents incorporated as in force when incorporated

A reference to a document applied, adopted or incorporated by, or referred to in, this regulation must be read as a reference to the document as in force when the document is applied, adopted, incorporated or referred to unless express provision is made to the contrary.

14Inconsistencies between provisions

If a provision of a document applied, adopted or incorporated by, or referred to in, this regulation is inconsistent with a provision in this regulation, the provision of this regulation prevails.

15References to standards(1)

In this regulation, a reference consisting of the words “Australian Standard” or the letters “AS” followed in either case by a number or a number accompanied by a reference to a calendar year is a reference to the standard so numbered published by or on behalf of Standards Australia.

(2)

In this regulation, a reference consisting of the expression “Australian/New Zealand Standard” or “AS/NZS” followed in either case by a number or a number accompanied by a reference to a calendar year is a reference to the standard so numbered published jointly by or on behalf of Standards Australia and the Standards Council of New Zealand.

Note—

A person is only required to comply with an Australian Standard or Australian/New Zealand Standard that is applied, adopted or incorporated by, or referred to in, this regulation to the extent this regulation provides, whether expressly or by necessary implication.

For example, in section 5(1), definition of boiler, there is an exception in paragraph (e)(iii). The definition does not require a person to comply with AS 2593–2004, but equipment must be certified in compliance with AS 2593–2004 to fall within the particular exception.

The reference to an Australian Standard in this case is part of a description of equipment excluded from the definition of boiler. As a result, the equipment is not covered by particular provisions of this regulation relating to high risk work.

Chapter 2Representation and participationPart 2.1RepresentationDivision 1Work groups16Negotiations for and determination of work groups—the Act, Sch 3, cl 8

Negotiations for and determination of work groups and variations of work groups must be directed at ensuring that the workers are grouped in a way that—

  • (a)

    most effectively and conveniently enables the interests of the workers, in relation to work health and safety, to be represented, and

  • (b)

    has regard to the need for a health and safety representative for the work group to be readily accessible to each worker in the work group.

Note—

A work group may be determined for workers at more than one workplace, the Act, section 51(3), or for workers carrying out work for 2 or more persons conducting businesses or undertakings at one or more workplaces, the Act, Part 5, Division 3, Subdivision 3.

17Matters to be taken into account in negotiations

For the Act, sections 52(6) and 56(4), negotiations for and determination of work groups and variation of agreements concerning work groups must take into account all relevant matters, including the following—

  • (a)

    the number of workers,

  • (b)

    the views of workers in relation to the determination and variation of work groups,

  • (c)

    the nature of each type of work carried out by the workers,

  • (d)

    the number and grouping of workers who carry out the same or similar types of work,

  • (e)

    the areas or places where each type of work is carried out,

  • (f)

    the extent to which a worker must move from place to place while at work,

  • (g)

    the diversity of workers and their work,

  • (h)

    the nature of hazards at the workplace or workplaces,

  • (i)

    the nature of risks to health and safety at the workplace or workplaces,

  • (j)

    the nature of the engagement of each worker, for example as an employee or as a contractor,

  • (k)

    the pattern of work carried out by workers, for example whether the work is full time, part time, casual or short term,

  • (l)

    the times at which work is carried out,

  • (m)

    arrangements at the workplace or workplaces relating to overtime or shift work.

Division 2Health and safety representatives18Procedures for election of health and safety representatives(1)

This section sets out minimum procedural requirements for the election of a health and safety representative for a work group for the Act, section 61(2).

(2)

The person conducting the election must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the following procedures are complied with—

  • (a)

    each person conducting a business or undertaking in which a worker in the work group works is informed of the date on which the election is to be held as soon as practicable after the date is determined,

  • (b)

    all workers in the work group are given an opportunity to—

    • (i)

      nominate for the position of health and safety representative, and

    • (ii)

      vote in the election,

  • (c)

    all workers in the work group and all relevant persons conducting a business or undertaking are informed of the outcome of the election.

19Person conducting business or undertaking must not delay election—the Act, Sch 3, cl 9

A person conducting a business or undertaking at a workplace must not unreasonably delay the election of a health and safety representative.

Maximum penalty—

  • (a)

    for an individual—43 penalty units, or

  • (b)

    for a body corporate—217 penalty units.

20Removal of health and safety representatives(1)

For the Act, section 64(2)(d), the majority of the members of a work group may remove a health and safety representative for the work group if the members sign a written declaration that the health and safety representative should no longer represent the work group.

(2)

A member of the work group nominated by the members who signed the declaration must, as soon as practicable—

  • (a)

    inform the following persons of the removal of the health and safety representative—

    • (i)

      the health and safety representative who has been removed,

    • (ii)

      each person conducting a business or undertaking in which a worker in the work group works, and

  • (b)

    take all reasonable steps to inform all members of the work group of the removal.

(3)

The removal of the health and safety representative takes effect when the persons referred to in subsection (2)(a) and the majority of members of the work group have been informed of the removal.

20ANotice of entry for person assisting health and safety representative

*****

Note—

Not adopted in NSW.

21Training for health and safety representatives(1)

For the Act, section 72(1), a health and safety representative is entitled to attend the following courses of training in work health and safety—

  • (a)

    an initial course of training of 5 days,

  • (b)

    1 day’s refresher training each year, with the entitlement to the first refresher training commencing 1 year after the initial training.

(2)

In approving a course of training in work health and safety for the Act, section 72(1), the regulator may have regard to relevant matters, including—

  • (a)

    the content and quality of the curriculum, including its relevance to the powers and functions of a health and safety representative, and

  • (b)

    the qualifications, knowledge and experience of the person who is to give the course.

Note—

This section prescribes courses of training to which a health and safety representative is entitled. In addition to these courses, the health and safety representative and the person conducting the business or undertaking may agree that the representative will attend or receive further training.

Part 2.2Issue resolution22Agreed procedure—minimum requirements—the Act, Sch 3, cl 10(a)(1)

This section sets out minimum requirements for an agreed procedure for issue resolution at a workplace.

(2)

The agreed procedure for issue resolution at a workplace must include the steps set out in section 23.

(3)

A person conducting a business or undertaking at a workplace must ensure that the agreed procedure for issue resolution at the workplace—

  • (a)

    complies with subsection (2), and

  • (b)

    is set out in writing, and

  • (c)

    is communicated to all workers to whom the agreed procedure applies.

Maximum penalty—

  • (a)

    for an individual—43 penalty units, or

  • (b)

    for a body corporate—217 penalty units.

23Default procedure(1)

This section sets out the default procedure for issue resolution for the Act, section 81(2).

(2)

A party to the issue may commence the procedure by informing each other party—

  • (a)

    that there is an issue to be resolved, and

  • (b)

    the nature and scope of the issue.

(3)

As soon as parties are informed of the issue, all parties must meet or communicate with each other to attempt to resolve the issue.

(4)

The parties must have regard to all relevant matters, including the following—

  • (a)

    the degree and immediacy of risk to workers or other persons affected by the issue,

  • (b)

    the number and location of workers and other persons affected by the issue,

  • (c)

    the measures, both temporary and permanent, that must be implemented to resolve the issue,

  • (d)

    the person who will be responsible for implementing the resolution measures.

(5)

A party may, in resolving the issue, be assisted or represented by a person nominated by the party.

(6)

If the issue is resolved, details of the issue and its resolution must, at the request of a party to the issue, be set out in a written agreement.

Note—

Under the Act, parties to an issue include not only a person conducting a business or undertaking, a worker and a health and safety representative, but also representatives of these persons—see the Act, section 80.

(7)

If a written agreement is prepared all parties to the issue must be satisfied that the agreement reflects the resolution of the issue.

(8)

A copy of the written agreement must be given to—

  • (a)

    all parties to the issue, and

  • (b)

    if requested—the health and safety committee for the workplace.

(9)

To avoid doubt, nothing in this procedure prevents a worker from bringing a work health and safety issue to the attention of the worker’s health and safety representative.

Part 2.3Cessation of unsafe work24Continuity of engagement of worker

For the Act, section 88, the prescribed purposes are the assessment of eligibility for, or the calculation of benefits for, a benefit or entitlement associated with the worker’s engagement, including one or more of the following—

  • (a)

    remuneration and promotion, as affected by seniority,

  • (b)

    superannuation benefits,

  • (c)

    leave entitlements,

  • (d)

    an entitlement to notice of termination of the engagement.

Part 2.4Workplace entry by WHS entry permit holders25Training requirements for WHS entry permits(1)

The prescribed training for the Act, sections 131 and 133, is training, given or approved by the regulator, in relation to the following—

  • (a)

    the right of entry requirements under the Act, Part 7,

  • (b)

    the issue resolution requirements under the Act and this regulation,

  • (c)

    the duties under, and the framework of, the Act and this regulation,

  • (d)

    the requirements for the management of risks under the Act, section 17,

  • (e)

    the meaning of reasonably practicable as set out in the Act, section 18,

  • (f)

    the relationship between the Act and this regulation and the Fair Work Act and the Industrial Relations Act 1996.

(2)

The training must include giving the participant information about the availability of guidance material published by the regulator in relation to the Act and this regulation.

(3)

For the purpose of approving training, the regulator may have regard to relevant matters, including—

  • (a)

    the content and quality of the curriculum, including its relevance to the powers and functions of a WHS permit holder, and

  • (b)

    the qualifications, knowledge and experience of the person who is to give the training.

(4)

The regulator may revoke or vary an approval under this section.

(5)

The regulator may impose conditions on an approval under this section and may vary those conditions.

26Form of WHS entry permit—the Act, Sch 3, cl 11(d)

A WHS entry permit must include the following—

  • (a)

    the section of the Act under which the WHS entry permit is issued,

  • (b)

    the full name of the WHS entry permit holder,

  • (c)

    the name of the union that the WHS entry permit holder represents,

  • (d)

    a statement that the WHS entry permit holder is entitled, while the WHS entry permit is in force, to exercise the rights given to the WHS entry permit holder under the Act,

  • (e)

    the date of issue of the WHS entry permit,

  • (f)

    the expiry date for the WHS entry permit,

  • (g)

    the signature of the WHS entry permit holder,

  • (h)

    any conditions on the WHS entry permit.

27Notice of entry—general—the Act, s 119(1)

A notice of entry under the Act, Part 7, must—

  • (a)

    be written, and

  • (b)

    include the following—

    • (i)

      the full name of the WHS entry permit holder,

    • (ii)

      the name of the union that the WHS entry permit holder represents,

    • (iii)

      the section of the Act under which the WHS entry permit holder is entering or proposing to enter the workplace,

    • (iv)

      the name and address of the workplace entered or proposed to be entered,

    • (v)

      the date of entry or proposed entry,

    • (vi)

      the additional information and other matters required under section 28, 29 or 30, as applicable.

28Additional requirements—entry under Part 7, Division 2—the Act, s 119(1)

A notice of entry under the Act, section 119, in relation to an entry under the Act, Part 7, Division 2, must also include the following—

  • (a)

    so far as is practicable—the particulars of the suspected contravention to which the notice relates,

  • (b)

    a declaration stating—

    • (i)

      that the union is entitled to represent the industrial interests of a worker who carries out work at the workplace entered and is a member, or eligible to be a member, of the union, and

    • (ii)

      the provision in the union’s rules that entitles the union to represent the industrial interests of the worker, and

    • (iii)

      that the suspected contravention relates to, or affects, the worker.

Note—

The Act, section 130, provides that a WHS entry permit holder is not required to disclose the name of a worker to the person conducting the business or undertaking, and may do so only with the consent of the worker.

29Additional requirements—entry under section 120—the Act, s 120(4)

A notice of entry under the Act, section 120, in relation to an entry under that section must also include the following—

  • (a)

    so far as is practicable—the particulars of the suspected contravention to which the notice relates,

  • (b)

    a description of the employee records and other documents, or of the classes of records and documents, directly relevant to the suspected contravention, that are proposed to be inspected,

  • (c)

    a declaration stating—

    • (i)

      that the union is entitled to represent the industrial interests of a worker who is a member, or eligible to be a member, of the union, and

    • (ii)

      the provision in the union’s rules that entitles the union to represent the industrial interests of the worker, and

    • (iii)

      that the suspected contravention relates to, or affects, the worker, and

    • (iv)

      that the records and documents proposed to be inspected relate to the contravention.

Note—

The Act, section 130, provides that a WHS entry permit holder is not required to disclose the name of a worker to the person conducting the business or undertaking, and may do so only with the consent of the worker.

30Additional requirements—entry under section 121—the Act, s 122(2)

A notice of entry under the Act, section 122 in relation to an entry under section 121 must also include a declaration stating—

  • (a)

    that the union is entitled to represent the industrial interests of a worker who carries out work at the workplace proposed to be entered and is a member, or eligible to be a member, of that union, and

  • (b)

    the provision in the union’s rules that entitles the union to represent the industrial interests of that worker.

Note—

The Act, section 130, provides that a WHS entry permit holder is not required to disclose the name of any worker to the person conducting the business or undertaking, and may do so only with the consent of the worker.

31Register of WHS entry permit holders—the Act, s 151

For the Act, section 151, the authorising authority must publish on its website—

  • (a)

    an up-to-date register of WHS entry permit holders, and

  • (b)

    the date on which the register was last updated.

Note—

The authorising authority in NSW is the Industrial Relations Commission—see the Act, section 4.

Part 2.5Authorisation to deliver training and assess traineesNote—

This part contains NSW provisions.

31AAuthorisation to deliver approved courses of training and assess trainees—the Act, Sch 3, cl 16(1)

The regulator may authorise a person or entity to deliver an approved course of training and to assess trainees.

(2)

An application for authorisation must be—

  • (a)

    made in the way required by the regulator, and

  • (b)

    accompanied by the relevant fee.

(3)

The regulator may—

  • (a)

    refuse an application for authorisation, or

  • (b)

    grant an authorisation unconditionally or subject to conditions.

(4)

The regulator may, by written notice—

  • (a)

    suspend, cancel or vary an authorisation held by a person or entity, including by imposing a condition on the authorisation, or

  • (b)

    disqualify the person or entity from applying for an authorisation under this section.

(5)

In this section—

approved course of training means the following—

  • (a)

    a course of training for health and safety representatives approved in accordance with section 21,

  • (b)

    a course of training for WHS entry permits approved in accordance with section 25.

Note—

A decision to refuse to grant an authorisation, to suspend, cancel or vary an authorisation, or to disqualify a person or entity from applying for an authorisation is a reviewable decision—see section 676.

Chapter 3General risk and workplace management
  • (c)

    Qx, Qy, [....] and Qn is the individual threshold quantity for each hazardous chemical x, y, [....] and n,

  • (d)

    a hazardous chemical is present or likely to be present in an isolated quantity, for paragraph (b)(i), if its location at the facility is such that it cannot, on its own, act as an initiator of a major incident.

5How Table 15.1 must be used(1)

The UN number listed in Table 15.1 against the named hazardous chemical does not restrict the meaning of the name, which also applies to hazardous chemicals that fall outside the UN number.

Examples—

The hazardous chemicals are too dangerous to be transported.

The hazardous chemicals are part of mixtures covered by a different UN number.

(2)

Hazardous chemicals that are covered by the listed UN numbers must be included in the quantity of the chemical named.

6How Table 15.2 must be used(1)

The quantities specified for explosives in Table 15.2 relate to the weight of explosive exclusive of packagings, casings and other non-explosive components.

(2)

If explosives of different hazard divisions are present in the same area or storage, all of the explosives must, before Table 15.2 is applied, be classified in accordance with the following table—

Div.

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

1.6

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.2

1.1

1.2

1.1

1.2

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.1

1.1

1.3

1.3

1.1

1.3

1.4

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

1.6

1.5

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.6

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.6

1.5

1.6

Table 15.1

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Item

Hazardous chemical

UN Nos included under name

Threshold quantity (tonnes)

1

ACETONE CYANOHYDRIN

1541

20

2

ACETYLENE

1001

50

3

ACROLEIN

1092

200

4

ACRYLONITRILE

1093

200

5

ALLYL ALCOHOL

1098

20

6

ALLYLAMINE

2334

200

7

AMMONIA, ANHYDROUS, LIQUEFIED or AMMONIA SOLUTIONS, relative density less than 0.880 at 15 degrees C in water, with more than 50% ammonia

1005

200

8

AMMONIUM NITRATE FERTILISERS

2067

2068

2069

2070

5000

9

AMMONIUM NITRATE, with not more than 0.2% combustible substances, including an organic substance calculated as carbon, to the exclusion of another added substance

1942

2500

10

ARSENIC PENTOXIDE, Arsenic (V) Acid and other salts

1559

10

11

ARSENIC TRIOXIDE, Arsenious (III) Acid and other salts

1561

0.1

12

ARSINE

2188

1.0

13

BROMINE or BROMINE SOLUTIONS

1744

100

14

CARBON DISULFIDE

1131

200

15

CHLORINE

1017

25

16

DIOXINS

0.1

17

ETHYL NITRATE

50

18

ETHYLENE DIBROMIDE

1605

50

19

ETHYLENE OXIDE

1040

50

20

ETHYLENEIMINE

1185

50

21

FLUORINE

1045

25

22

FORMALDEHYDE (greater than 90%)

50

23

HYDROFLUORIC ACID SOLUTION (greater than 50%)

1790

50

24

HYDROGEN

1049

50

25

HYDROGEN CHLORIDE

—Anhydrous

1050

250

—Refrigerated Liquid

2186

250

26

HYDROGEN CYANIDE

1051

1614

20

27

HYDROGEN FLUORIDE

1052

50

28

HYDROGEN SULFIDE

1053

50

29

LP GASES

1011

1012

1075

1077

1978

200

30

METHANE or NATURAL GAS

1971

1972

200

31

METHYL BROMIDE

1062

200

32

METHYL ISOCYANATE

2480

0.15

33

OXIDES OF NITROGEN, including nitrous oxide, nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen trioxide

1067

1070

1660

1975

2201

2421

50

34

OXYGEN

1072

1073

2000

35

PHOSGENE

1076

0.75

36

PROPYLENE OXIDE

1280

50

37

PROPYLENEIMINE

1921

200

38

SODIUM CHLORATE, solid

1495

200

39

SULFUR DICHLORIDE

1828

1

40

SULFUR DIOXIDE, LIQUEFIED

1079

200

41

SULFURIC ANHYDRIDE (Alt. SULFUR TRIOXIDE)

1829

75

42

TITANIUM TETRACHLORIDE

1838

500

43

TOLUENE DIISOCYANATE

2078

200

Table 15.2

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Item

Hazardous chemical

Description

Threshold quantity (tonnes)

1

Explosive materials

Explosive of Division 1.1A

10

All other explosives of Division 1.1

50

Explosive of Division 1.2

200

Explosive of Division 1.3

200

2

Compressed and liquefied gases

Compressed or liquefied gases of Division 2.1 or Subsidiary Hazard 2.1

200

Liquefied gases of Subsidiary Hazard 5

200

Compressed or liquefied gases that meet the criteria for Very Toxic in Table 15.3

20

Compressed or liquefied gases that meet the criteria for Toxic in Table 15.3

200

3

Flammable materials

Liquids that meet the criteria for Class 3 Packing Group I Materials (except for crude oil in remote locations)

200

Crude oil in remote locations that meets the criteria for Class 3 Packing Group I

2,000

Liquids that meet the criteria for Class 3 Packing Group II or III

50,000

Liquids with flash points <61°C kept above their boiling points at ambient conditions

200

Materials that meet the criteria for Division 4.1 Packing Group I

200

Spontaneously combustible materials that meet the criteria for Division 4.2 Packing Group I or II

200

Materials that liberate flammable gases or react violently on contact with water which meet the criteria for Division 4.3 Packing Group I or II

200

Materials that belong to Classes 3 or 8 Packing Group I or II which have Hazchem codes of 4WE (materials that react violently with water)

500

4

Oxidising materials

Oxidising material listed in Appendix A to the ADG Code

50

Oxidising materials that meet the criteria for Division 5.1 Packing Group I or II

200

5

Peroxides

Peroxides that are listed in Appendix A to the ADG Code

50

Organic Peroxides that meet the criteria for Division 5.2

200

6

Toxic solids and liquids

Materials that meet the criteria for Very Toxic in Table 15.3 except materials that are classified as Infectious Substances (Division 6.2) or as Radioactive (Class 7)

20

Materials that meet the criteria for Toxic in Table 15.3

200

Table 15.3 Criteria for toxicity

Description

Oral Toxicity1 LD50 (mg/kg)

Dermal Toxicity2 LD50 (mg/kg)

Inhalation Toxicity3 LC50 (mg/L)

Very Toxic

LD50≤ 5

LD50≤ 40

LC50≤ 0.5

Toxic

5 < LD50≤ 50

40 < LD50≤ 200

0.5 < LC50≤ 2

Key

In rats

In rats or rabbits

4 hours in rats

Schedule 16Matters to be included in emergency plan for major hazard facility

section 557

1Site and hazard detail1.1

The location of the facility, including the street address and nearest intersection.

Note—

Sufficient detail must be provided to enable a person not familiar with the site to find it.

1.2

A map—

  • (a)

    showing the site of the major hazard facility, and

  • (b)

    showing land use and occupancy in the surrounding area and other closely located major hazard facilities and hazardous chemical storage sites, and

  • (c)

    identifying all potentially hazardous inventories in the area known to the operator and the location of all staging points for emergency service organisations.

1.3

An inventory of all hazardous chemicals present or likely to be present at the facility and their location.

1.4

A brief description of the nature of the facility and its operation.

1.5

The maximum number of persons, including workers, likely to be present at the facility on a normal working day.

1.6

The emergency planning assumptions, including emergency measures planned for identified incidents and likely areas affected.

1.7

The protective resources available to control an incident.

1.8

The emergency response procedures.

1.9

The infrastructure, on-site and off-site, likely to be affected by a major incident.

2Command structure and site personnel2.1

The command philosophy and structure to be activated in an emergency, so it is clear what actions will be taken, who will take these actions and how, when and where they will be taken.

2.2

Details of the person who can clarify the content of the emergency plan if necessary.

2.3

The contact details of, and the means of contacting, the persons at the facility responsible for liaising with emergency service organisations.

2.4

A list of 24-hour emergency contacts.

2.5

Arrangements for assisting emergency service organisations and nearby facilities with control actions taken in the surrounding area.

3Notifications3.1

In the event of the occurrence of a major incident or an event that could reasonably be expected to lead to a major incident, procedures for notifying the emergency service organisations with which the emergency plan was prepared under this regulation, section 557.

3.2

After a major incident has occurred, procedures for providing the local community and the local authority for the local authority area in which the facility and the surrounding area are located with information about the major incident under this regulation, section 573.

3.3

On-site and off-site warning systems.

3.4

Contact details for emergency service organisations and other support services that can assist in providing resources and implementing evacuation plans in the event of a major incident.

3.5

On-site communication systems.

4Resources and equipment4.1

On-site emergency resources, including emergency equipment, personnel, gas detectors, wind velocity detectors, sand, lime, neutralising agents, absorbents, spill bins and decontamination equipment.

4.2

Off-site emergency resources, including arrangements for obtaining additional external resources, specific to the likely major incidents, to assist the control of major incidents and major incident hazards.

5Procedures5.1

Procedures for the safe evacuation of, and accounting for, all people on site.

5.2

Procedures and control points for utilities, including gas, water and electricity.

5.3

Procedures for the control of an incident involving Schedule 15 chemicals.

5.4

Procedures for decontamination following an incident involving Schedule 15 chemicals.

Schedule 17Additional matters to be included in safety management system of major hazard facility

section 558

1Safety policy and safety objectives1.1

A description of the means by which the operator’s safety policy and specific safety objectives are to be communicated to all persons who are to participate in the implementation of the safety management system.

1.2

The safety policy must include an express commitment to ongoing improvement of all aspects of the safety management system.

2Organisation and personnel2.1

The identification, according to position description and location, of the persons who are to participate in the implementation of the safety management system, a description of the command structure in which the persons work and of the specific tasks and responsibilities allocated to them.

2.2

A description of the means of ensuring the persons have the knowledge and skills necessary to enable them to undertake their allocated tasks and discharge their allocated responsibilities and that they retain the knowledge and skills.

3Operational controls3.1

A description of the procedures and instructions for—

  • (a)

    the safe operation of plant, including as to inspection and maintenance, and

  • (b)

    the mechanical integrity of plant, and

  • (c)

    plant processes, and

  • (d)

    the control of abnormal operations and emergency shut down or decommissioning.

3.2

Provision of adequate means of achieving isolation of the major hazard facility or a part of the major hazard facility in an emergency.

3.3

Provision of adequate means of gaining access for service and maintenance of the major hazard facility or a part of the major hazard facility.

3.4

A description of the roles of persons and of the interfaces between persons and plant.

3.5

Provision for alarm systems.

4Duties of operators4.1

A description of the means by which the operator proposes to comply with the Act and with this regulation, Part 9.3, Division 3, Part 9.4 and Part 9.5.

4.2

In relation to each part of the documented safety management system that describes the means of compliance with a provision of Chapter 9, an annotation or cross-reference identifying the specific provision being complied with.

5Management of change

A description of the procedures for planning modifications to major hazard facilities.

6Principles and standards6.1

A statement of the principles, especially the design principles and engineering standards, being used to ensure the safe operation of the major hazard facility.

6.2

A description of the technical standards, whether published or proprietary, being relied on in relation to the principles and standards.

7Performance monitoring7.1

Performance standards for measuring the effectiveness of the safety management system, that—

  • (a)

    relate to all aspects of the safety management system, and

  • (b)

    are sufficiently detailed to ensure that the ability of the operator to ensure the effectiveness of all aspects of the safety management system is apparent from the documentation, and

  • (c)

    include steps to be taken to continually improve all aspects of the safety management system.

7.2

A description of the way in which these performance standards are to be met.

7.3

Performance indicators for the effectiveness of control measures implemented, including—

  • (a)

    tests of the effectiveness of the control measures, and

  • (b)

    indicators of the failure of a control measure, and

  • (c)

    actions to be taken in reporting a failure, and

  • (d)

    other corrective actions to be taken in the event of a failure.

8Audit

Provision for the auditing of performance against the performance standards, including the methods, frequency and results of the audit process.

Schedule 18Additional matters to be included in safety case for major hazard facility

section 561

Part 1Facility description1Facility1.1

A brief description of the nature of the facility and its operation, including a description of on-site activities and processes involving Schedule 15 chemicals.

1.2

A description of the Schedule 15 chemicals and other hazardous chemicals present or likely to be present at the facility, including—

  • (a)

    their identification by name and by the other means necessary for a clear identification, and

  • (b)

    the quantity present or likely to be present at the major hazard facility, and

  • (c)

    their physical, chemical and toxicological characteristics, and other hazardous characteristics, both immediate and delayed, and

  • (d)

    their physical and chemical behaviour under normal conditions of use or under foreseeable abnormal conditions.

1.3

A description of the chemical and physical processes associated with the Schedule 15 chemicals present or likely to be present at the facility, including—

  • (a)

    the main units of plant used in the processes, and

  • (b)

    a process flow drawing, or set of flow drawings, describing the processes.

1.4

A drawing of the major hazard facility’s general layout, containing the location of—

  • (a)

    the main process units, and

  • (b)

    the main storage areas, and

  • (c)

    major incident hazards and major incident initiators.

1.5

In relation to proposed changes at the major hazard facility for which no new control measures are implemented—

  • (a)

    a description of proposed changes to the major hazard facility that would—

    • (i)

      alter the production capacity or profile of the major hazard facility, or

    • (ii)

      involve the deletion, addition or modification of one or more processes, and

  • (b)

    a statement as to how existing control measures and WHS management systems are capable of maintaining the safe operation of the major hazard facility.

2Surrounding area2.1

A detailed scale plan of the facility and its surrounding area showing—

  • (a)

    the location of the facility within the surrounding area, and

  • (b)

    topographical information, and

  • (c)

    land use, occupancy and activities in the surrounding area and other closely located major hazard facilities and hazardous chemical storage sites, and

  • (d)

    the location of identified external conditions, including other major hazard facilities or other facilities that could affect the safety of the major hazard facility.

2.2

Graphically presented demographic information for the local community, including surrounding land uses permitted by the local authority.

2.3

Meteorological data relevant to the estimation of the effects of a major incident.

Part 2Safety information3Control measures to limit consequences of major incidents3.1

A detailed description of—

  • (a)

    the instrumentation and other equipment installed in the facility and the processes and procedures in place that are control measures to be implemented by the operator, and

  • (b)

    the critical operating parameters for the control measures, and

  • (c)

    key personnel and resources, internal and external, available to intervene in the event of a failure of a control measure, whether or not the failure results in a major incident, and

  • (d)

    a summary of the emergency plan, including specific information about how the plan can be expected to limit the consequences of a major incident, and

  • (e)

    the means of ensuring there is at all times in place a command structure for the major hazard facility that applies in the event of an emergency, and that this command structure has been communicated to workers throughout the major hazard facility.

3.2

In item 3.1—

critical operating parameters means the upper or lower performance limits of equipment, processes or procedures with which compliance is necessary to avoid a major incident.

failure of a control measure means—

  • (a)

    if the control measure is a positive action or event—the non-occurrence or the defective occurrence of the action or event, or

  • (b)

    if the control measure consists of a limitation on an operational activity, process or procedure—the breach of the limitation.

4Performance monitoring

A detailed description of the performance standards and performance indicators required by Schedule 17, item 7 to be included in the safety management system.

5Safety management system5.1

At all points in the safety case where the matter addressed is covered by the safety management system, a clear reference to the relevant part of the documented safety management system.

5.2

A description of the parts of the documented safety management system that address the ongoing effective implementation and ongoing review and revision of the safety management system.

6Safety and reliability of facility structures and plant

A description of the steps taken to ensure safety and reliability are incorporated into the design and construction of all aspects of the major hazard facility itself, whether the operator is directly engaged in the design and construction or has engaged another person to carry out the design and construction.

7Major incident history

A summary of the major incidents that have occurred at the major hazard facility over the previous 5 years.

Schedule 18APenalty notice offencesNote—

This schedule is a NSW provision.

1Application of schedule(1)

For the Act, section 243—

  • (a)

    each offence created by a provision specified in this schedule is an offence for which a penalty notice may be issued, and

  • (b)

    the amount payable for the penalty notice is the amount specified opposite the provision.

(2)

If the provision is qualified by words restricting its operation to limited kinds of offences or to offences committed in limited circumstances, the penalty notice may be issued only for—

  • (a)

    the limited kind of offence, or

  • (b)

    an offence committed in the limited circumstances.

(3)

For the Act, section 243(6)(a), a police officer is an authorised officer for an offence under this regulation, sections 184R or 184S(2).

Offences under the Act

Provision

Penalty—individuals

Penalty—body corporates

Section 38(1)

$2,500

$12,500

Sections 38(7), 75(1), 97(1) and (2), 210(1) and (2) and 273

$750

$3,750

Sections 39(1), 45, 46, 47(1), 155(5) and 268(1) and (2)

$1,500

$7,450

Sections 41, 42(1), and (2), 44(1) and (2), 52(5), 56(2), 61(4), 70(1) and (2), 71(2), 72(7), 79(1), (3) and (4), 99(2), 144(1), 145, 146, 165(2), 171(6), 177(2) and (6), 200(1) and 273A(2)

$900

$4,500

Section 43(1) and (2)

$4,000

$20,000

Sections 53(1) and (2), 57(1) and (2), and 74(1)

$300

$1,500

Sections 123, 124, 125, 126, 128 and 185(4)

$900

Section 193

$2,250

$11,250

Offences under this regulation

Provision

Penalty—individuals

Penalty—body corporates

Sections 22(3), 46(2)–(4), 50(3), 66(2) and (5), 68(1), 77(5), 85(1)–(3), 149(1), 150(1) and (2), 165(1), 182(4), 184B, 184C(1), 213(1), 224(1) and (2), 253, 254, 295(1), 296, 298(1), 301, 302, 303(3), 304(2)–(4), 308, 312, 313(3), 316, 344(6), 346(3), 347(3), 372(1), 387(2), 388(2) and (3), 403(1), 409(1), 415(2), 425(1) and (2), 426, 427(1) and (2), 429(5), 432(5), 438(1) and (2), 446(1) and (3), 451(5), 464(3), 465(1)–(3), 466(1) and (3), 482(3), 529, 529CC(3), 529G(2), 529H(1), 529I(2), 529J, 557(8), 560 and 567(4)

$550

$2,700

Sections 40, 41(1) and (2), 42(1) and (2), 44(2) and (4), 48(2), 49, 50(1), 55(2), 65, 67(1) and (4), 69, 72(1) and (2), 142AA, 142B, 142C(1), 154, 155(1) and (2), 156, 159, 160, 164(2), 166(1) and (2), 184N, 184O(1), 184P, 184S(1), 201(2), 202(2), 208(2)–(5), 210(1), 215(4), 218(2), 238(2), 299(1), 306(1) and (3), 309(1), 329, 330(1), (3) and (4), 334, 339(1) and (3), 340(1) and (2), 341(1), 342(1), (2) and (3), 344(1), 346(1), 347(1), 349(1), 350(1), 355, 356(2), 357(1)–(3), 360, 362(2), 376, 405(1), 406, 413, 415(1), 417(3), 419(1), 434, 435(1) and (3), 437(1) and (2), 442, 449, 450, 458(1) and (3), 459, 463(1), 464(1), 468(2) and (3), 469, 471(1) and (2), 473(2), 474(2)–(4), 475(1) and (2), 476(1) and (2), 477(1), (2) and (4)–(6), 481, 483(1) and (2), 529C, 529CA(1), 529CB(1), 529CC(1) and (2), 529CD(1), 529CE, 529D, 554(1) and (3), 555(1) and (4) and 567(1)–(3)

$900

$4,500

Sections 50(2), 76(2), 77(2)–(4), 85(4), 94(1), 96, 97, 98(1), 111, 124(1) and (2), 125(1), 126, 127(1), 139, 142(1), 142D, 143I(1), 143J, 143K(1), 143P(1), 143Q(1), 143ZD, 150(3), 165(2), 170, 175(1)–(3), 180, 181(2)–(4), 182(2), (3) and (5), 184J(1) and (2), 184Q(1)–(4), 226(1), (3) and (4), 228, 229(1) and (2), 230(1)–(3), 237(2), (4) and (5), 260(3)–(5), 262(1), 273(3) and (4), 275(1), 282(1), 287, 288(1), 303(1), (2) and (4), 304(5), 313(1), (2) and (4), 326(1) and (2), 378(1) and (2), 390(2) and (3), 391(3), 418(1) and (2), 423(2), 444(1) and (2), 445(3) and (4), 461(1) and (2), 505(1), 506(1), 507(1), 512, 513(1), 525, 529CA(4), 529CD(2) and (3), 572(4), 587(1), 588(1), 593, 594(1) and 607

$200

$900

Sections 78(3) and (4), 79(2), 80(2)–(4) and 225(2)–(5)

$1,750

$8,750

Sections 184R and 184S(2)

$200

sch 18A: Am 2025 (536), Sch 1[8]–[12].

Historical notesTable of amending instruments

Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (440). LW 22.8.2025. Date of commencement, except Part 8A.4, on publication on LW, sec 2(b); date of commencement of Part 8A.4, 1.10.2025, sec 2(a). This Regulation has been amended as follows—

2025

(536)

Work Health and Safety Amendment Regulation 2025. LW 3.10.2025.

Date of commencement, on publication on LW, sec 2.

Table of amendments

Sec 7

Am 2025 (536), Sch 1[1].

Sec 142A

Am 2025 (536), Sch 1[2].

Sec 142AA

Ins 2025 (536), Sch 1[3].

Sec 184N

Am 2025 (536), Sch 1[4].

Sec 676

Am 2025 (536), Sch 1[5].

Sch 6

Am 2025 (536), Sch 1[6].

Sch 13

Am 2025 (536), Sch 1[7].

Sch 18A

Am 2025 (536), Sch 1[8]–[12].

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