SAFEWORK SA is inviting the public to submit comments on five occupational health, safety and welfare initiatives.
The government has drafted a Consultation Bill looking to amend the Occcupational Health Safety and Welfare Act 1986, and the Criminal Laww Act 1988.
The goal of the process is to enhance the effectiveness of occupational health and safety consultation processes between employers, employees and employee representatives.
The public can comment on five proposals. The first proposal involves the confirmation of inspector authority in mining and petroleum workplaces under the OHSW Act.
The second proposal looks at returning the threshold for training of health and safety representatives to workplaces with ten employees, from the current threshold of twenty employees.
The third proposal concerns the introduction of Right of Entry for authorised representatives of trade unions for the purpose of OHSW consultation.
The fourth proposal confirms procedures addressing ongoing use of expiation notices.
The fifth proposal seeks to increase the authority of Industrial Magistrates to determine penalties in OHSW cases up to a maximum fine of $300,000 under the Criminal Law (Sentencing Act) 1988.
SafeWork SA has set out guidelines for submitting a comment, and submissions close 5pm, 13 March 2009.