By BRIDGET COOK
BUSINESSES will benefit from red tape savings after the State Government introduced changes to the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Regulations last week.
Assistant Treasurer Gordon Rich-Phillips visited Botanic Homes’ residential construction site in Cranbourne East to announce a number of reforms aimed at removing unnecessary compliance costs for workplaces.
The OHS regulation amendments, which have now come into effect, include changes to licensing for machinery, high risk work, hazardous substances, construction and mines.
Mr Rich-Phillips said the changes reflected the Coalition Government’s commitment to reducing red tape.
“The government, along with the Victorian WorkCover Authority, is committed to continually improving occupational health and safety in the workplace while reducing the red tape burden,” he said.
Mr Rich-Phillips said the latest amendments would improve the workability of the regulations and reduce compliance costs for business without reducing safety standards.
“The amendments will assist businesses to comply with the legislation and also drive safety improvements,” he said.
“If businesses are already complying with the current OHS Regulations, they will still be compliant now that these new amendments have come into effect. However, some of the new processes and requirements will be simpler. We are keen to ensure Victorian businesses benefit from modernised and less burdensome workplace regulations as soon as possible.
“It is just another way we’re reducing red tape by making occupational health and safety and workers compensation simpler for all Victorians.”
For further information and to download a fact sheet on changes affecting different industries, visit vwa.vic.gov.au or contact the Victorian WorkCover Authority on 1800 136 089.
