The introduction of the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WHS Act) brought about the establishment of the Work Health and Safety Commission (WHSC) and Mining and Petroleum Advisory Committee (MAPAC). These bodies replace the Occupational Health and Safety Commission and Mining Advisory Committee.
Dr Patricia Todd is chair of both the WHSC and MAPAC.
Joint considerations
The ‘Enough is Enough’ Sexual harassment against women in the FIFO mining industry report has led WorkSafe, on behalf of WHSC and MAPAC to:
- develop a code of practice on the design and management of mining and construction accommodation and
- recommend amendments to the code of practice: Mentally healthy workplaces for fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workers in the resources and construction sector.
The peak bodies will review and make recommendations to the Minister to approve these codes.
Work Health and Safety Commission
WHSC Membership includes employers, employees and government representatives and people with expertise and knowledge in work health and safety matters.
Since the introduction of the Work Health and Safety legislation the WHSC has:
- published guidelines for the delivery of health and safety representative refresher training
- approved the delivery of the health and safety representative refresher training course by 16 training providers
- hosted a forum with HSR training providers with the aim to open up communication and seek feedback and discussion on current issues
- reviewed codes and guides that were published prior to the introduction of the WHS legislation to determine their currency and relevance, and determining what new guidance is needed
- made a submission to the Minister on the prohibitive cost of becoming an accredited asbestos assessor and the negative impacts of this.
WHSC is in the process of developing a strategic plan, which will be informed by Safe Work Australia (SWA) Australian Work Health and Safety (WHS) Strategy 2023-2033.
The introduction of the WHS legislation brings WA into alignment with most other States and Territories whose legislation is also based on the model WHS legislation developed by SWA. Given this ‘harmonisation’ in legislation, it is important for WHSC to monitor the decisions and output of SWA to guide its work.
Mining and Petroleum Advisory Committee
The MAPC met for the first time in October 2022 and in its first two meetings has contributed to a wide variety of subject matter including responding to the Enough is Enough report.
MAPAC membership includes employee, employer and government representatives as well as the WorkSafe Commissioner and work health and safety experts in mining and petroleum.
Further information
Further informationVisit the WorkSafe website to find out more about the Work Health and Safety Commission and the Mining and Petroleum Advisory Committee.
