The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 came into effect in the Commonwealth, New South Wales, Queensland, ACT and Northern Territory on January 1st 2012.
See a summary of these laws by clicking on the Work Health & Safety Laws heading.
There is no change, at this time, in Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia.
---------------------------------------------------------------Cancer in the workplace: a forum on practical solutions
The ACTU and Cancer Council of Australia are running a foum on cancer and work on May 3rd 2012 in Melbourne. See the "save the date" flyer under News & Alerts Heading. Talk to your employer e.g. at the OHS committee, about attending. Perhaps the company OHS officer or manager would like to go.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Phasing out lead in industrial paints ?
In 2009, particular lead compounds were to be phased out of industrial surface coatings--- such products as paints for factories, bridges, motor vehicles, machinery & equipment, coating of materials used in commercial buildings such as window frames.
The phase out was recommended due to the known health effects of lead and availability of safer alternatives. The Federal government is conducting a survey to see if the phase out has been effective.
Responses to the survey will be confidential and no persons/companies will be identified.
If you are a person who works with industrial paints and/or inks, either in the manufacture, application, or use in a process,
click here to access to survey.
These surveys will run until Friday 27 April 2012.
Further detailed information is available from NICNAS, the Federal government agency that assesses new chemicals.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------OHS Contacts
National OHS Coordinator - Deborah Vallance
OHS Officer for NSW - David Henry
OHS Officer for Qld - Brian Devlin
OHS Officer for Victoria - Frank Fairley
OHS Officers for the Victorian Vehicle Division - Sarah Ross and Melinda Simpson
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