WHS & worker safety
Model WHS laws and state implementations covering primary duty of care, psychosocial hazards, silica exposure, incident notification, and industrial manslaughter regimes.
18
Obligations
14
Regulators
0
Recent enforcement
Regulators
Obligations (18)
- criticalCWLTHcurrentAsbestos management — workplace + dwelling rules (state)
Asbestos work requires licensed asbestos removalist + asbestos management plan.
- criticalCWLTHcurrentComply with Heavy Vehicle Chain of Responsibility (CoR)
Every party in the heavy vehicle supply chain has a positive duty under HVNL.
- criticalCWLTHupcomingComply with reduced respirable crystalline silica WEL (0.025 mg/m³)
WEL for respirable crystalline silica is halved from 1 December 2026.
- criticalCWLTHcurrentHold a Construction Induction (White Card) before construction site work
All construction site workers must have completed nationally recognised induction training (CPCWHS1001).
- criticalCWLTHcurrentMaintain Hazardous Chemicals Register + manifest (WHS Reg)
PCBUs handling hazardous chemicals must maintain a register + (above threshold) a manifest.
- criticalCWLTHcurrentManage psychosocial hazards at work
WHS duty extends to psychosocial hazards — workload, bullying, harassment, role conflict.
- criticalNSWcurrentNotify SafeWork NSW of notifiable WHS incidents
Death, serious injury, illness, dangerous incident — notify SafeWork NSW immediately.
- criticalCWLTHcurrentNotify state regulator of serious incidents (childcare)
Approved ECEC services must notify state regulator of serious incidents within 24 hours / 7 days.
- criticalVICcurrentNotify VIC WorkSafe of notifiable WHS incidents
Death, serious injury, illness or dangerous incident must be notified to WorkSafe immediately.
- criticalNSWcurrentNSW mining safety obligations (Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Act 2013)
NSW mine operators face mine-specific WHS obligations + Resources Regulator oversight.
- criticalNSWcurrentPCBU primary duty of care (NSW WHS Act s 19)
NSW PCBUs must so far as reasonably practicable ensure the health and safety of workers and others.
- criticalQLDcurrentPCBU primary duty of care (QLD WHS Act s 19)
QLD PCBUs must ensure health and safety so far as reasonably practicable; industrial manslaughter live since 2017.
- criticalVICcurrentPCBU primary duty of care (Victoria OHS Act s 21)
Victorian employers must so far as reasonably practicable provide and maintain a safe working environment.
- criticalWAcurrentPCBU primary duty of care (WA WHS Act 2020 s 19)
WA adopted harmonised model WHS Act 2020 with industrial manslaughter offences from 31 March 2022.
- criticalQLDcurrentQLD coal mining safety obligations (Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999)
QLD coal mine operators must ensure acceptable level of risk under the Act.
- criticalWAcurrentWA mining safety (Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994)
WA mine operators must ensure safe and healthy mines under MSIA + WHS Act 2020.
- highCWLTHcurrentHold a High Risk Work Licence for HRWL classes
Forklift, crane, scaffolding, dogging, rigging, EWP and other high-risk work requires a HRWL.
- highCWLTHcurrentPsychosocial Hazards Code of Practice (model + jurisdictional)
PCBUs must manage psychosocial risk under WHS Acts + state codes.