Queensland’s new safety laws are now in force.

The Work Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 has come into effect this week, marking a significant enhancement in worker representation and the rights of entry permit holders. 

Deputy Director General for the Office of Industrial Relations, Peter McKay, has expressed confidence in the impact of these changes. 

“These changes signify our ongoing commitment to implementing first-class enhancements to our Work Health and Safety Act, and will go a long way towards making Queensland workplaces safer, fairer, healthier and more productive,” he said. 

The Act outlines clear guidelines on who can represent workers. 

Suitable representatives include relevant unions and professionals such as engineers or physiotherapists. 

This aims to ensure that workers have appropriate and effective advocacy in matters of workplace health and safety.

Entry permit holders now have clarified rights, allowing them to enter and remain at workplaces. They are authorised to interview individuals and request access to documents without needing to issue further notice. 

This change is designed to streamline processes and ensure thorough inspections and investigations can be conducted efficiently.

The amendment also introduces more flexibility in communication methods. 

Individuals required to answer enquiries from work health and safety inspectors can now do so via audio-visual tools like video calls. This change aims to facilitate quicker and more accessible communication.

Several administrative changes were endorsed to improve the efficiency of the system. These include extended timeframes for requesting Category 1 and 2 offences to be brought to court, and enhanced stability for the approved codes of practice.

“These changes were informed by the recent review of the Work Health and Safety Act and bring clarity to industry and Government to move ahead with even greater confidence,” McKay said. 

“I know these changes will strengthen and protect our workforce, and I thank all businesses and workers for complying with the legislation.”

More details are accessible here.