Australian Fire & First Aid

WorkSafe Queensland have elected to implement legislative change from the 2022 Review of Queensland’s Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act), as well as recommendations from the national 2018 Review of the Model Work Health and Safety Laws (Boland Review).

These changes effect PCBU’s (what is a PCBU) of all sizes. Included in the amended legislation is changes to the election of Health and Safety Representatives below;

Amendments to promote the election of health and safety representatives (HSRs) to represent workers in a work group include:

• a PCBU must not intentionally hinder, prevent, or discourage a worker from requesting an election for HSRs
• a PCBU must not intentionally hinder, prevent or discourage the election of an HSR or deputy HSR or a person conducting the election from following election procedures
• a PCBU must inform workers in writing about:
  • their right to request the election of HSRs and establish work groups
  • the role, powers and functions of HSRs and the process for electing them, and
  • who can represent workers during negotiations about work groups
• a PCBU must invite workers to request the facilitation of an election for one or more HSR.

For a full list of legislative amendments please visit WorkSafe Qld.

Austrian Fire & First Aid can provide guidance and training for your workplace on WHS legislation. Our team will assist your organisation to build your Emergency Response Team, policies and procedures. Contact our team now.