The Commonwealth and each state and territory government have agreed to harmonise their work health and safety laws, including Regulations and Codes of Practice, so that they are similar in each jurisdiction.

The Commonwealth, states and territories are responsible for making and enforcing their own work health and safety laws. Although there are many similarities between the laws there are also some differences that can cause confusion. Australian workers should be entitled to the same work health and safety standards, regardless of the jurisdiction in which they operate. This regulatory inconsistency is being addressed through an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) where, for the first time, governments from each state and territory and the Commonwealth have formally committed to harmonise work health and safety laws by developing and adopting a model Work Health and Safety Act supported by model Regulations and model Codes of Practice.

The intention is to deliver the same work health and safety protections to all Australians. To support the Model Work Health and Safety Act, Safe Work Australia, in conjunction with the National Mine Safety Framework have released draft model Work Health and Safety Regulations, model Codes of Practice and an Issues Paper for public comment. Of particular interest to Mine Surveyors are the draft model Code of Practice for Mine Surveyors and the model Code of Practice for Inundation and Inrush Hazard Management. AIMS has been heavily involved with industry in providing input into the draft Code of Practice for Mine Surveyors and will be preparing another submission to highlight some issues that where not adequately addressed in the draft, however public comment on the document is also invited and must be received by Friday 7 October 2011.

Further information and copies of all the draft code of practice are available here:
http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/Legislation/PublicComment/Pages/PublicComment.aspx