News & Views

Six WHS Codes of Practice have been amended in NSW, while Safe Work Australia has released a new guide to storing, handling and disposing of workplace carcinogens.

The NSW Codes were updated to ensure consistency with the national model WHS Codes of Practice, most of which were revoked and remade with technical amendments in March 2016 (see related article).

The amended NSW Codes of Practice commenced on Friday, and are:

• Hazardous Manual Tasks: with changes including a new example of an administrative control measure in the hierarchy of control table. That is, "Train workers to use control measures implemented when carrying out manual tasks", which replaces, "Arrange workflows to avoid peak physical and mental demands towards the end of a shift";

• How to Manage and Control Asbestos in the Workplace: which now refers workers undertaking asbestos-related work to a special Safe Work Australia guide to health monitoring for exposure to hazardous chemicals;

• How to Safely Remove Asbestos: with changes including a more explicit warning not to reuse or resoak damp cloths that have been used to remove visible asbestos dust or residue from protective clothing;

• Welding Processes: which clarifies the use of flash back arrestors as a control measure for compressed and liquefied gas lines;

• Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace: with the major change amending the preventative actions checklist for de-energised work; and

• Demolition Work: which includes an amended definition of "pier".

A complete list of amendments can be found at the end of each Code. For further information, contact NECAs WHS on 02 9744 1099.