WHSAC Communique September 2020

The Work Health and Safety Advisory Council (the Council) conducted its second meeting on 18 September 2020.

The Council is established under the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 (the Act)to review the operation of the legislation and to make recommendations to the Minister on possible changes to the administration of the Act or standards of work health and safety in the Northern Territory.

The Council consists of persons representing employers and employees in industries such as construction, mining, resource, local government, entertainment / tourism, including union representation and the person constituting the Authority under the Work Health Administration Act 2011.

The Council was appointed in June 2020 for a two year period and includes five new members and five members who were reappointed from the previous Council. Membership and contact details are published on the NT WorkSafe website. Industries are encouraged to contact Council members to submit items regarding possible improvements to work health and safety across the Northern Territory.

The Work Health and Safety Advisory Council met on 18 September 2020.

The following items were discussed:

Infringement Notices

The support of the Council was sought to monitor the effects of the new infringement offences to determine if it is improving safety outcomes in the Northern Territory. The Council noted that insufficient time has passed as yet to analyse trends. Statistics will be monitored.

Outstanding WHS Complaints

The Council discussed outstanding Work Health and Safety complaints from NT WorkSafe.

Recommendations from the Lyons Review

An Injured Workers and Family Forum subcommittee (the subcommittee) has been established in conjunction with the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Advisory Council to consider two of the recommendations from the Review of workplace health and safety in the Northern Territory. The subcommittee is scheduled to meet on 22 September 2020, the outcomes of which will be provided to the Council.

Prosecutions

The Work Health Authority gave the Council an overview on the current prosecutions including the process to bring forward a prosecution. The Council also discussed a number of matters currently under investigation.

Annual Report

The planning day workshop outcomes from the previous Council were disseminated to assist in the discussion for planned activities for 2020/2021. The Council determined a number of activities to be included in the Annual Report.

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held 16 February 2021