Workplace Health and Safety Amendment Act 1997 (Qld)

Queensland WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY AMENDMENT ACT 1997 Act No. 58 of 1997

Queensland WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY AMENDMENT ACT 1997 TABLE OF PROVISIONS Section Page 1 Short title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 2 Commencement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 3 Act amended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 4 Replacement of long title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 5 Replacement of pt 1, div 3 (Overall object of Act) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Division 3—Objective of Act 7 Objective of Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 6 Amendment of s 9 (What is a “workplace”?) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 7 Amendment of s 10 (Who is an “employer”?) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 8 Amendment of s 11 (Who is a “worker” and who is not?) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 9 Amendment of s 13 (Who is the “principal contractor”?) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 10 Omission of pt 2, div 1, heading (Being at work and performing work) . . . 10 11 Omission of pt 2, div 2, heading (Consultation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 12 Amendment of s 18 (What is consultation?) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 13 Omission of pt 2, div 3 (Compliance standards, advisory standards, regulations and the difference between them) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 14 Omission of pt 2, div 4, heading (Ensuring workplace health and safety) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 15 Amendment of s 22 (How should workplace health and safety be ensured?) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 16 Amendment of s 24 (Discharge of obligations) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 17 Insertion of new s 24A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 24A Charges for offences against s 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 18 Amendment of s 26 (How obligations can be discharged if standard made) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

2 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 19 Amendment of s 27 (How obligations can be discharged if no standard made) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 20 Amendment of s 30 (Obligations of persons in control of workplaces) . . . . 13 21 Amendment of s 31 (Obligations of principal contractors) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 22 Amendment of s 37 (Defences for div 2 or 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 23 Replacement of pt 4 (Compliance standards) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 PART 4—REGULATIONS, ADVISORY STANDARDS, INDUSTRY CODES OF PRACTICE AND MINISTERIAL NOTICES 38 Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 24 Replacement of pt 5, heading (Advisory standards) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 25 Omission of s 40 (Purpose of advisory standards) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 26 Amendment of s 41 (Advisory standards) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 27 Amendment of s 42 (Use of advisory standards in proceedings) . . . . . . . . . 18 28 Insertion of new pt 4, divs 3 and 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Division 3—Ministerial notices 42C Ministerial notices in urgent circumstances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 29 Amendment of s 43 (Purposes of part) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 30 Amendment of pt 6, div 2 (The council and its functions) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 31 Replacement of s 44 (Workplace health and safety council) . . . . . . . . . . . 20 44 Workplace health and safety board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 32 Replacement of s 45 (Functions of council) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 45 Functions of board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 33 Insertion of new s 45A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 45A Annual report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 34 Amendment of pt 6, div 3, heading (Membership and conduct of council proceedings) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 35 Amendment of s 46 (Membership of council) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 36 Amendment of s 47 (Times of council meetings) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 37 Amendment of s 48 (Conduct of proceedings) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 38 Amendment of s 49 (Disclosure of interests) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 39 Amendment of s 50 (Minutes) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 40 Amendment of pt 6, div 4, heading (Provisions about appointed council members) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 41 Omission of s 51 (Application of division) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

3 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 42 Amendment of s 52 (Duration of appointment) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 43 Amendment of s 53 (Leave of absence) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 44 Amendment of pt 6, div 5, heading (Industry committees) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 45 Replacement of ss 55 and 56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 55 Industry sector standing committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 56 Functions of industry sector standing committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 46 Amendment of pt 6, div 6, heading (Membership and conduct of industry committee proceedings) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 47 Amendment of s 57 (Membership of industry committee) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 48 Amendment of s 58 (Times of industry committee meetings) . . . . . . . . . . . 26 49 Amendment of s 59 (Conduct of industry committee proceedings) . . . . . . 26 50 Amendment of s 60 (Disclosure of interests) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 51 Amendment of s 61 (Minutes) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 52 Amendment of pt 6, div 7, heading (Provisions about industry committee members) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 53 Amendment of s 66 (Definitions for part) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 54 Amendment of s 108 (General powers after entering places) . . . . . . . . . . . 28 55 Amendment of s 109 (Power to seize evidence etc.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 56 Amendment of s 122 (Power to require production of certain documents) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 57 Amendment of s 165 (Limitation on time for starting proceedings) . . . . . . 29 58 Insertion of new s 168A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 168A Costs of investigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 59 Amendment of s 176 (Impersonating inspectors and others) . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 60 Amendment of pt 14, div 1, heading (Accredited officers) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 61 Amendment of s 177 (Appointment) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 62 Amendment of s 178 (Functions of accredited officers) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 63 Amendment of s 179 (Accredited officer’s appointment conditions) . . . . . 30 64 Amendment of s 180 (Accredited officer’s identity card) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 65 Amendment of s 181 (Production or display of accredited officer’s identity card) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 66 Amendment of s 182 (Revocation of accredited officer’s appointment) . . 31 67 Amendment of s 183 (Protection from liability—officials) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 68 Omission of pt 16 (Regulations) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

4 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 69 Amendment of pt 17, heading (Transitional provisions and repeals) . . . . . 32 70 Insertion of new pt 17, div 1, heading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 71 Renumbering of s 194 (Existing health and safety officers) . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 72 Renumbering of s 204A (Workplace Health and Safety Act 1989 references) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 73 Insertion of new pt 17, div 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Division 2—Transitional provisions for the Workplace Health and Safety Amendment Act 1997 190 Existing advisory standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 191 Existing accredited officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 74 Amendment of sch 1 (List of offences and penalties) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 75 Amendment of sch 3 (Dictionary) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Amendment Act 1997 Act No. 58 of 1997 An Act to amend the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 [Assented to 16 October 1997]

s1 6 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment The Parliament of Queensland enacts— s5 No. 58, 1997 ˙ Short title 1. This Act may be cited as the Workplace Health and Safety Amendment Act 1997 . ˙ Commencement 2. This Act commences on a day to be fixed by proclamation. ˙ Act amended 3. This Act amends the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 . ˙ Replacement of long title 4. Long title— omit, insert— ‘ An Act about workplace health and safety, and for related purposes ’. ˙ Replacement of pt 1, div 3 (Overall object of Act) 5. Part 1, division 3— omit, insert— ‘ Division 3—Objective of Act ˙ ‘ Objective of Act ‘ 7.(1) The objective of this Act is to prevent a person’s death, injury or illness being caused by a workplace, by workplace activities or by specified high risk plant. Example of an illness caused by a workplace—

s5 7 s5 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 Asthma caused by inhaling spray paint mist from a neighbouring workplace. Example of an illness caused by a workplace activity— Carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a liquefied petroleum gas operated forklift being used in a coldroom. Example of an illness caused by specified high risk plant— Legionnaire’s disease caused by inhaling legionella bacteria from the contaminated cooling tower of an air conditioning unit. ‘ (2) The objective is achieved by preventing or minimising a person’s exposure to the risk of death, injury or illness caused by a workplace, by workplace activities or by specified high risk plant. ‘ (3) This Act establishes a framework for preventing or minimising exposure to risk by— (a) imposing workplace health and safety obligations on certain persons who may affect the health and safety of others by their acts or omissions; and (b) establishing benchmarks for industry through the making of regulations and advisory standards; and (c) establishing a workplace health and safety board— (i) to allow industry to participate in developing strategies for improving workplace health and safety; and (ii) to promote community awareness about workplace health and safety; and (d) providing for industry participation in workplace health and safety by industry developing their own codes of practice; and (e) providing for the election of workplace health and safety representatives, and the establishment of workplace health and safety committees, to foster cooperation between employers, principal contractors, and workers; and (f) providing for the appointment of— (i) workplace health and safety officers to assist employers and principal contractors to manage workplace health and safety; and

s6 8 s7 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 (ii) accredited providers to assist industry in managing particular risks; and (iii) inspectors to monitor and enforce compliance with this Act. ‘ (4) The achievement of this Act’s objective will help— (a) reduce the human cost to individuals, families and the community caused by these deaths, injuries and illnesses; and (b) reduce the financial burden on individuals, families and the community caused by these deaths, injuries and illnesses; and (c) reduce the burden on the workers’ compensation scheme caused by these deaths, injuries and illnesses, which in turn reduces costs imposed on industry; and (d) maintain the community standard for workplace health and safety, which is eroded when persons gain an unfair competitive advantage by not implementing appropriate standards.’. ˙ Amendment of s 9 (What is a “workplace”?) 6. Section 9(2), example, ‘estimated final price at practical completion’— omit, insert— ‘cost of building and construction work’. ˙ Amendment of s 10 (Who is an “employer”?) 7. Section 10— insert— ‘ (3) For an apprentice or trainee who is employed by a group training scheme, the employer is— (a) when the apprentice or trainee is engaged to do work for a host employer—the host employer; or (b) otherwise—the group training scheme. ‘ (4) In this section—

s8 9 s9 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 “apprentice” see the Vocational Education, Training and Employment Act1991 , section 4. 1 “group training scheme” see the VocationalEducation,TrainingandEmployment Act 1991 , section 4. “host employer” means a person who contracts with a group training scheme for the training of apprentices and trainees. “trainee” see the VocationalEducation,TrainingandEmploymentAct1991 , section 4.’. ˙ Amendment of s 11 (Who is a “worker” and who is not?) 8.(1) Section 11(2), example— omit . (2) Section 11(3), example— omit . ˙ Amendment of s 13 (Who is the “principal contractor”?) 9. Section 13(3) and (4)— omit. 1 Vocational Education, Training and Employment Act 1991 , section 4— “apprentice” means a person who is registered as an apprentice under this Act, whether or not the person has entered into a training agreement with an employer. “group training scheme” means an industrial organisation or a body corporate that is approved by the State Training Council to employ apprentices or trainees but which uses the facilities of its members or other employers to train those apprentices or trainees. “trainee” means a person registered as a trainee under this Act (whether or not a training agreement has been entered into).

s 10 10 s 15 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 ˙ Omission of pt 2, div 1, heading (Being at work and performing work) 10. Part 2, division 1, heading— omit. ˙ Omission of pt 2, div 2, heading (Consultation) 11. Part 2, division 2, heading— omit. ˙ Amendment of s 18 (What is consultation?) 12. Section 18(2)(a)— omit, insert— ‘(a) at an industry level through establishing the workplace health and safety board and industry sector standing committees under part 6; and’. ˙ Omission of pt 2, div 3 (Compliance standards, advisory standards, regulations and the difference between them) 13. Part 2, division 3— omit. ˙ Omission of pt 2, div 4, heading (Ensuring workplace health and safety) 14. Part 2, division 4, heading— omit . ˙ Amendment of s 22 (How should workplace health and safety be ensured?) 15.(1) Section 22, heading— omit , insert —

s 16 11 s 16 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 ‘ Ensuring workplace health and safety ’. (2) Section 22, ‘should be ensured’— omit, insert— ‘can generally be managed’. (3) Section 22— renumber as section 22(2) (4) Section 22— insert— ‘ 22.(1) Workplace health and safety is ensured when persons are free from— (a) death, injury or illness caused by any workplace, workplace activities or specified high risk plant; and (b) risk of death, injury or illness created by any workplace, workplace activities or specified high risk plant.’. (4) Section 22— insert— ‘ (3) However, this Act also specifies particular ways in which workplace health and safety must be ensured in particular circumstances. ‘ (4) Compliance with subsection (2) does not excuse a person from an obligation to ensure workplace health and safety or a particular obligation imposed on the person under this Act.’. ˙ Amendment of s 24 (Discharge of obligations) 16. Section 24(1), penalty— omit, insert— ‘Maximum penalty— (a) if the breach caused death or grievous bodily harm—800 penalty units or 2 years imprisonment; or

s 17 12 s 18 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 (b) if the breach involved exposure to a substance that is likely to cause death or grievous bodily harm—500 penalty units or 1 year imprisonment; or (c) if the breach caused bodily harm—500 penalty units or 1 year imprisonment; or (d) otherwise—400 penalty units or 6 months imprisonment.’. ˙ Insertion of new s 24A 17. Part 3, division 1— insert— ˙ ‘ Charges for offences against s 24 ‘ 24A.(1) This section applies to an offence against section 24 for a failure to discharge an obligation under section 28(1), 28(2) or 29. ‘ (2) A complaint against a person for the offence may allege in the alternative that the person committed the offence as employer or self-employed person. ‘ (3) A person may be convicted on the complaint on proof that the person committed the offence either as employer or self-employed person without further proof of the capacity in which the person committed the offence. ‘ (4) Also, a person charged with a failure to discharge an obligation under 1 of the following sections may be convicted of a failure to discharge an obligation under either of the other sections that is proved by the evidence— (a) section 28(1); (b) section 28(2); (c) section 29.’. ˙ Amendment of s 26 (How obligations can be discharged if standard made) 18.(1) Section 26, heading, ‘ standard ’—

s 19 13 s 20 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 omit, insert— ‘ regulation etc. ’. (2) Section 26(1) and (2), ‘compliance standard’— omit, insert— ‘regulation or ministerial notice’. (3) Section 26(3), ‘states a way or ways of identifying and’— omit, insert— ‘or industry code of practice states a way of’. (4) Section 26(3)(a), ‘identifies and’— omit. (5) Section 26(3)(b), ‘identifies and manages exposure to’— omit, insert— ‘gives the same level of protection against’. ˙ Amendment of s 27 (How obligations can be discharged if no standard made) 19.(1) Section 27, heading, ‘ standard ’— omit, insert— ‘ regulation etc. ’. (2) Section 27(1), ‘compliance standard’— omit, insert — ‘regulation or ministerial notice’. (3) Section 27(1), ‘stating a way to identify and’— omit, insert— ‘or industry code of practice stating a way to’. ˙ Amendment of s 30 (Obligations of persons in control of workplaces) 20. Section 30(1)(a) and (b), ‘disease or injury’—

s 21 14 s 21 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 omit, insert— ‘injury or illness’. ˙ Amendment of s 31 (Obligations of principal contractors) 21.(1) Section 31(1)(b)— omit, insert— ‘(b) to ensure that persons at the workplace are not exposed to risks from— (i) something that has been provided for the general use of persons at the workplace for which no other person owes a workplace health and safety obligation; or (ii) a hazard at the workplace for which no other person owes a workplace health and safety obligation;’. (2) Section 31(1)(c), ‘disease or injury’— omit, insert— ‘injury or illness’. (3) Section 31(1)(d), ‘compliance standard’— omit, insert— ‘regulation’. (4) Section 31(3)(b), ‘obligation.’— omit, insert— ‘obligation. 2 ’. (5) Section 31(4)— omit. 2 See section 36(a) for the obligation to comply with the instructions given for workplace health and safety at the workplace by the principal contractor.

s 22 15 s 23 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 ˙ Amendment of s 37 (Defences for div 2 or 3) 22.(1) Section 37(1)(a), ‘compliance standard’— omit, insert— ‘regulation or ministerial notice’. (2) Section 37(1)(a), ‘standard’— omit, insert — ‘regulation or notice’ . (3) Section 37(1)(b), after ‘if an advisory standard’— insert— ‘or industry code of practice’. (4) Section 37(1)(b), ‘identify and’— omit. (5) Section 37(1)(b)(ii), ‘identified and’ — omit . (6) Section 37(1)(c), ‘compliance or advisory standard’— omit, insert— ‘regulation, ministerial notice, advisory standard or industry code of practice’. (7) Section 37(3)— omit, insert— ‘ (3) In this section, a reference to a regulation, ministerial notice, advisory standard or industry code of practice is a reference to the regulation, notice, standard or code of practice in force at the time of the contravention.’. ˙ Replacement of pt 4 (Compliance standards) 23. Part 4— omit, insert—

s 24 16 s 24 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 ‘ PART 4—REGULATIONS, ADVISORY STANDARDS, INDUSTRY CODES OF PRACTICE AND MINISTERIAL NOTICES ‘ Division 1—Regulations ˙ ‘ Regulations ‘ 38.(1) The Governor in Council may make regulations under this Act. ‘ (2) A regulation may— (a) deal with matters of an administrative nature; or (b) prohibit exposure to risk; or (c) prescribe ways to prevent or minimise exposure to risk. Examples of matters under paragraph (a)— 1. Notification of building and construction work. 2. Registration of registrable plant. Examples of paragraph (b)— Prohibiting the use of certain hazardous substances. Examples of paragraph (c)— 1. Preparing and providing a material safety data sheet for a hazardous substance. 2. Providing certain workplace amenities. ‘ (3) A regulation may— (a) prescribe offences for a breach of a regulation; and (b) fix a maximum penalty of not more than 40 penalty units for the breach. ‘ (4) A regulation may declare something to be a workplace health and safety obligation imposed on a person for this Act.’. ˙ Replacement of pt 5, heading (Advisory standards) 24. Part 5, heading—

s 25 17 s 26 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 omit, insert— ‘ Division 2—Advisory standards ’. ˙ Omission of s 40 (Purpose of advisory standards) 25. Section 40— omit. ˙ Amendment of s 41 (Advisory standards) 26. Section 41(1)— omit, insert— ‘ 41.(1) The Minister may make— (a) advisory standards that state ways to manage exposure to risks common to industry; and (b) industry codes of practice that state ways to manage exposure to risks identified by a part of industry as typical in the part of industry. Example of a part of industry— 1. The rural sector. 2. Canegrowing within the rural sector. Example— An advisory standard about managing noise exposure may provide advice about identifying sources of noise, assessing actual or potential levels of noise exposure and eliminating or minimising noise exposure as a risk to health at a workplace. ‘ (1A) The standard or code of practice must include a provision that states the standard or code of practice expires 5 years after its commencement.’. (2) Section 41(2), after ‘advisory standard’— insert— ‘or industry code of practice’.

s 27 18 s 28 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 (3) Section 41(3), after ‘advisory standard’— insert— ‘or industry code of practice’. (4) Section 41(3), after ‘the standard’— insert— ‘or code of practice’. ˙ Amendment of s 42 (Use of advisory standards in proceedings) 27.(1) Section 42, ‘An advisory standard’ to ‘under this Act’— omit, insert — ‘In a proceeding under this Act, a document purporting to be an advisory standard or industry code of practice is admissible as evidence of the standard or code of practice’. (2) Section 42(b), ‘identify and’— omit. (3) Section 42(c), ‘is about identifying and’— omit, insert— ‘or industry code of practice is about’. ˙ Insertion of new pt 4, divs 3 and 4 28. Part 4— insert— ‘Division 3—Ministerial notices ˙ ‘ Ministerial notices in urgent circumstances ‘ 42C.(1) This section applies if the Minister considers— (a) a situation has arisen, or is likely to arise— (i) at or near a workplace because of a workplace activity; or

s 29 19 s 30 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 (ii) at any place because of specified high risk plant; and (b) because of the situation, there is, or is likely to be, a risk of serious bodily injury 3 to someone. ‘ (2) The Minister may make a notice about the situation. ‘ (3) The notice may prescribe methods of work or other things to prevent or minimise exposure to the risk. ‘ (4) A notice expires— (a) 1 year from the day it is notified in the gazette; or (b) on an earlier day stated in the notice. ‘ (5) However, a regulation may extend the notice’s operation for a further period of not more than 1 year. ‘ (6) If a notice is inconsistent with a regulation or advisory standard, the notice prevails to the extent of the inconsistency. ‘ (7) A notice is subordinate legislation.’. ˙ Amendment of s 43 (Purposes of part) 29.(1) Section 43(a), ‘council’— omit, insert— ‘board’. (2) Section 43(b), ‘committees’— omit, insert— ‘sector standing committees of the board’. ˙ Amendment of pt 6, div 2 (The council and its functions) 30. Part 6, division 2, heading, ‘council’— omit, insert— ‘board’. 3 See schedule 3 (Dictionary) for definition of “serious bodily injury”.

s 31 20 s 32 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 ˙ Replacement of s 44 (Workplace health and safety council) 31. Section 44— omit, insert— ˙ ‘ Workplace health and safety board ‘ 44. The workplace health and safety board (the “board” ) is established.’. ˙ Replacement of s 45 (Functions of council) 32.(1) Section 45— omit, insert— ˙ ‘ Functions of board ‘ 45.(1) The primary function of the board is to give advice and make recommendations to the Minister about policies, strategies, allocation of resources, and legislative arrangements, for workplace health and safety. ‘ (2) Without limiting subsection (1), the board may discharge its primary functions by— (a) developing a 5 year strategic plan for improving workplace health and safety; and (b) examining whether the 5 year strategic plan meets the existing and future needs of industry and the community; and (c) advising the Minister about state, national and international workplace health and safety issues; and (d) considering other issues referred to it by the Minister; and (e) reviewing the appropriateness of provisions of this Act, a regulation, advisory standard or industry code of practice; and (f) considering recommendations made to it by an industry sector standing committee; and (g) reviewing the performance of an industry sector standing committee; and (h) recommending to the Minister the establishment of industry sector standing committees; and

s 33 21 s 34 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 (i) reviewing the membership of an industry sector standing committee; and (j) establishing working parties on the recommendation of an industry sector standing committee; and (k) deciding procedures for the operation of working parties; and (l) appointing members to a working party; and (m) considering the most effective and efficient way of applying funds allocated for workplace health and safety; and (n) ensuring industry has been adequately consulted on proposed advisory standards and industry codes of practice; and (o) promoting workplace health and safety to industry and the community to encourage a healthy and safe culture at workplaces. ‘ (3) The chief executive must give the board reasonable help to enable it to perform its functions.’. ˙ Insertion of new s 45A 33. Part 6, division 2— insert— ˙ ‘ Annual report ‘ 45A.(1) As soon as practical, but within 4 months, after the end of each financial year, the board must prepare and give to the Minister a report on the board’s operations for the year. ‘ (2) The Minister must table a copy of the report in the Legislative Assembly within 14 sitting days after receiving it.’. ˙ Amendment of pt 6, div 3, heading (Membership and conduct of council proceedings) 34. Part 6, division 3, heading, ‘ council ’— omit, insert— ‘ board ’.

s 35 22 s 37 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 ˙ Amendment of s 46 (Membership of council) 35.(1) Section 46(3) and heading, ‘council’— omit, insert— ‘board’. (2) Section 46(3)— renumber as section 46(5). (3) Section 46(1) and (2)— omit, insert— ‘ 46.(1) The board consists of a chairperson, and at least 6 other members, appointed by the Minister. ‘ (2) The person the Minister appoints as chairperson must be representative of industry. ‘ (3) In appointing a person as a member, the Minister must consider the person’s practical experience, and competence, in the management of workplace health and safety. ‘ (4) The Minister must ensure the number of members representing employers equals the number of members representing workers.’. ˙ Amendment of s 47 (Times of council meetings) 36.(1) Section 47, ‘council’— omit, insert— ‘board’. (2) Section 47(3)(b), ‘quarter’— omit, insert— ‘third’. ˙ Amendment of s 48 (Conduct of proceedings) 37.(1) Section 48(1) and (3) to (7), ‘council’— omit, insert—

s 38 23 s 41 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 ‘board’. (2) Section 48(3)(a)— omit, insert— ‘(a) a quorum is at least 4 members; and’. ˙ Amendment of s 49 (Disclosure of interests) 38.(1) Section 49(1) to (3), ‘council’— omit, insert— ‘board’. (2) Section 49(2) and (3), ‘council’s’— omit, insert— ‘board’s’. ˙ Amendment of s 50 (Minutes) 39. Section 50, ‘council’— omit, insert— ‘board’. ˙ Amendment of pt 6, div 4, heading (Provisions about appointed council members) 40. Part 6, division 4, heading, ‘ council ’— omit, insert— ‘ board ’. ˙ Omission of s 51 (Application of division) 41. Section 51— omit.

s 42 24 s 45 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 ˙ Amendment of s 52 (Duration of appointment) 42. Section 52(2)(c), ‘council’— omit, insert— ‘board’. ˙ Amendment of s 53 (Leave of absence) 43. Section 53(3)— omit. ˙ Amendment of pt 6, div 5, heading (Industry committees) 44. Part 6, division 5, heading, after ‘ Industry ’— insert— ‘ sector standing ’. ˙ Replacement of ss 55 and 56 45. Sections 55 and 56— omit, insert— ˙ ‘ Industry sector standing committees ‘ 55.(1) The following industry sector standing committees of the board are established— (a) construction sector standing committee; (b) manufacturing sector standing committee; (c) rural sector standing committee; (d) health and community services sector standing committee; (e) retail and wholesale sector standing committee; (f) transport and storage sector standing committee. ‘ (2) Also, the Minister may, by gazette notice, establish other industry sector standing committees for industry sectors.

s 46 25 s 47 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 ˙ ‘ Functions of industry sector standing committees ‘ 56.(1) The primary function of an industry sector standing committee is to give advice and make recommendations to the workplace health and safety board about workplace health and safety in the industry sector for which the committee is established. ‘ (2) Without limiting subsection (1), the committee may discharge its primary function by— (a) examining the appropriateness of, and need for, setting workplace health and safety standards; and (b) considering issues referred to it by the board; and (c) recommending to the board that working parties be established to respond to workplace health and safety issues; and Examples of responses under paragraph (c)— 1. Developing an industry code of practice. 2. Organising a workplace health and safety promotional program. (d) recommending to the board who should be a member of a working party; and (e) recommending to the board procedures for the operation of working parties.’. ˙ Amendment of pt 6, div 6, heading (Membership and conduct of industry committee proceedings) 46. Part 6, division 6, heading, after ‘ industry ’— insert— ‘ sector standing ’. ˙ Amendment of s 57 (Membership of industry committee) 47.(1) Section 57, heading, after ‘industry’— insert— ‘sector standing’.

s 48 26 s 49 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 (2) Section 57(1) to (3)— omit, insert— ‘ 57.(1) An industry sector standing committee consists of a chairperson, and at least 6 other members, appointed by the Minister. ‘ (2) In appointing a person as a member, the Minister must consider the person’s practical experience, and competence, in the management of workplace health and safety. ‘ (3) The Minister must ensure the number of members representing employers equals the number of members representing workers.’. (3) Section 57(4), ‘industry’— omit. (4) Section 57(4)— renumber as section 57(3). ˙ Amendment of s 58 (Times of industry committee meetings) 48.(1) Section 58(1) and heading, after ‘industry’— insert— ‘sector standing’. (2) Section 58(3)(b), ‘quarter’— omit, insert— ‘third’. (3) Section 58(4), after ‘the Minister’— insert— ‘or the board’. ˙ Amendment of s 59 (Conduct of industry committee proceedings) 49.(1) Section 59(1), (4) to (7) and heading, after ‘industry’— insert— ‘sector standing’.

s 50 27 s 53 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 (2) Section 59(3)(a)— omit, insert— ‘(a) a quorum is at least half the members; and’. ˙ Amendment of s 60 (Disclosure of interests) 50. Section 60(1) to (3), after ‘industry’— insert— ‘sector standing’. ˙ Amendment of s 61 (Minutes) 51. Section 61, after ‘industry’— insert— ‘sector standing’. ˙ Amendment of pt 6, div 7, heading (Provisions about industry committee members) 52. Part 6, division 7, heading, after ‘ industry ’— insert— ‘ sector standing ’. ˙ Amendment of s 66 (Definitions for part) 53. Section 66, definition “union” — omit, insert— ‘ “union” means an employee association registered, or taken to be registered, as an organisation under the Industrial Organisations Act1997 .’.

s 54 28 s 56 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 ˙ Amendment of s 108 (General powers after entering places) 54.(1) Section 108(3)(e), before ‘conduct surveys’— insert— ‘make inquiries or’. (2) Section 108— insert— ‘ (6) A reasonable excuse does not include a matter of mere convenience. Example of a matter of mere convenience— 1. An inspector visits an employer’s workplace to inspect plant involved in a workplace accident. The employer explains to the inspector that the plant is now at the employer’s other workplace. The employer claims to be too busy to unlock the other workplace for another week. This is a matter of mere convenience not a reasonable excuse. 2. An inspector visits an employer’s workplace to inspect plant. The employer claims that the plant can not be operated because the worker who normally operates the plant is not working then. However, another worker at the workplace is competent to operate the plant. The employer refuses to allow the other worker to operate the plant. This is a matter of mere convenience not a reasonable excuse. ’. ˙ Amendment of s 109 (Power to seize evidence etc.) 55. Section 109(1)(b), before ‘seizure’— insert— ‘for an entry made with the occupier’s consent—’. ˙ Amendment of s 122 (Power to require production of certain documents) 56.(1) Section 122(2) and (3), ‘subsection (1)(b)’— omit, insert— ‘subsection (1)’.

s 57 29 s 60 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 (2) Section 122(2), after ‘the employer,’— insert— ‘person,’ ˙ Amendment of s 165 (Limitation on time for starting proceedings) 57. Section 165(b), from ‘, but within’ to ‘the offence’— omit. ˙ Insertion of new s 168A 58. After section 168— insert— ˙ ‘ Costs of investigation ‘ 168A.(1) If a court convicts a person of an offence against this Act, the court may order the person to pay the department’s reasonable costs of investigating the offence, including reasonable costs of preparing for the prosecution of the offence. ‘ (2) This section does not limit the orders for costs the court may make.’. ˙ Amendment of s 176 (Impersonating inspectors and others) 59. Section 176, ‘accredited officer’— omit, insert— ‘accredited provider’. ˙ Amendment of pt 14, div 1, heading (Accredited officers) 60. Part 14, division 1, heading— omit, insert— ‘ Division 1—Accredited providers ’.

s 61 30 s 64 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 ˙ Amendment of s 177 (Appointment) 61. Section 177(1) and (2), ‘accredited officer’— omit, insert— ‘accredited provider’. ˙ Amendment of s 178 (Functions of accredited officers) 62.(1) Section 178, heading, ‘ accredited officers ’— omit, insert— ‘ accredited providers ’. (2) Section 178(1) and (2), ‘accredited officer’— omit, insert— ‘accredited provider’. (3) Section 178(1), ‘accredited officer’s’’— omit, insert— ‘accredited provider’s’. ˙ Amendment of s 179 (Accredited officer’s appointment conditions) 63.(1) Section 179, heading, ‘ Accredited officer’s ’— omit, insert— ‘ Accredited provider’s ’. (2) Section 179(1) and (2), ‘accredited officer’— omit, insert— ‘accredited provider’. ˙ Amendment of s 180 (Accredited officer’s identity card) 64.(1) Section 180, heading ‘ Accredited officer’s ’— omit, insert— ‘ Accredited provider’s ’.

s 65 31 s 66 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 (2) Section 180(1), (2)(a), (b) and (c) and (3), ‘accredited officer’— omit, insert— ‘accredited provider’. ˙ Amendment of s 181 (Production or display of accredited officer’s identity card) 65.(1) Section 181, heading, ‘ accredited officer’s ’— omit, insert— ‘ accredited provider’s ’. (2) Section 181, ‘accredited officer’— omit, insert— ‘accredited provider’. (3) Section 181, ‘accredited officer’s’’— omit, insert— ‘accredited provider’s’. ˙ Amendment of s 182 (Revocation of accredited officer’s appointment) 66.(1) Section 182, heading, ‘ accredited officer’s ’— omit, insert— ‘ accredited provider’s ’. (2) Section 182, ‘accredited officer’s’— omit, insert— ‘accredited provider’s’. (3) Section 182, footnote, ‘accredited officer’— omit, insert— ‘accredited provider’.

s 67 32 s 72 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 ˙ Amendment of s 183 (Protection from liability—officials) 67. Section 183(1)(d)— omit, insert— ‘(d) a member of the board or industry sector standing committee; and’. ˙ Omission of pt 16 (Regulations) 68. Part 16— omit. ˙ Amendment of pt 17, heading (Transitional provisions and repeals) 69. Part 17, heading ‘ AND REPEALS ’— omit . ˙ Insertion of new pt 17, div 1, heading 70. In part 17, before section 194— insert — ‘ Division 1—Transitional provisions for Act No. 25 of 1995 ’. ˙ Renumbering of s 194 (Existing health and safety officers) 71. Section 194— renumber as section 188. ˙ Renumbering of s 204A (Workplace Health and Safety Act 1989 references) 72. Section 204A— renumber as section 189.

s 73 33 s 74 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 ˙ Insertion of new pt 17, div 2 73. After section 189 as renumbered— insert— ‘ Division 2—Transitional provisions for the Workplace Health and Safety Amendment Act 1997 ˙ ‘ Existing advisory standards ‘ 190.(1) The Workplace Health and Safety (Advisory Standards) Notice 1995 (the “notice” ) is repealed. ‘ (2) The advisory standards mentioned in the notice, as in force at the commencement of this section, are continued in force as standards for 2 years after the commencement. ˙ ‘ Existing accredited officers ‘ 191.(1) A person who, immediately before the commencement of this section, was an accredited officer is taken to have been appointed as an accredited provider at the commencement. ‘ (2) This section is a law to which the ActsInterpretationAct1954 , section 20A applies. ‘ (3) This section expires on 1 July 1998.’. ˙ Amendment of sch 1 (List of offences and penalties) 74. Schedule 1, section 2, entry for section 24(1)— omit, insert— ‘24(1) 4 — (a) death or grievous bodily harm 800 penalty units or 2 years imprisonment (b) substance exposure 500 penalty units or 1 year imprisonment 4 Section 24 imposes the penalty for contraventions of the provisions of part 3, divisions 2 and 3.

s 75 34 s 75 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 (c) bodily harm (d) otherwise 500 penalty units or 1 year imprisonment 400 penalty units or 6 months imprisonment’. ˙ Amendment of sch 3 (Dictionary) 75.(1) Schedule 3, definitions “compliance standard” , “council” , “risk” , and “standard” — omit. (2) Schedule 3— insert— ‘ “board” see section 44. “bodily harm” see Criminal Code, section 1. 5 “grievous bodily harm” see Criminal Code, section 1. 6 “illness” includes a disease. “risk” means risk of death, injury or illness. “workplace health and safety” see section 22(1). (3) Schedule 3, definition “personal protective equipment” , ‘disease’— omit, insert— ‘illness’. 5 Criminal Code, section 1— “ bodily harm” means any injury which interferes with health or comfort. 6 The Criminal Code, section 1— “ grievous bodily harm” means— (a) the loss of a distinct part or an organ of the body; or (b) serious disfigurement; or (c) any bodily injury of such a nature that, if left untreated, would endanger or be likely to endanger life, or cause or be likely to cause permanent injury to health; whether or not treatment is or could have been available.

s 75 35 s 75 Workplace Health and Safety Amendment No. 58, 1997 (4) Schedule 3, definition “work caused illness” , paragraph (a), ‘a disease’— omit, insert— ‘an illness’. (5) Schedule 3, definition “work caused illness” , paragraph (b), ‘disease’— omit, insert— ‘illness’. © State of Queensland 1997