PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Western Australian resources sector has welcomed the state government’s decision to move forward with the reform of safety legislation.

Worksafe WA this week confirmed that the watchdog would review the current work health and safety (WHS) regulations, after which a consultation process would take place to allow all workplace participants to have an input into the new legal framework.

Once the public consultation has been completed, and the necessary Cabinet approval was obtained, the new laws would be introduced into Parliament for consideration and passage.

“It is important that businesses should not rush into undertaking any training at this stage in anticipation of the new laws,” said Worksafe WA commissioner Lex McCulloch.

“Not only is the final form of the new laws not settled, but their implementation will be coupled with transition periods to ensure that everyone involved will be able to adopt the new framework in a seamless manner.”

The new legislation would include best practice elements of national model WHS laws, but with amendments to suit the Western Australian context while avoiding unnecessary administrative burdens.

The Western Australian Chamber of Minerals and Energy (CME) has welcomed the announcement, with CEO Reg Howard-Smith saying the approach would enable safety legislation for general industry as well as the resources sector to progress together.

“The government’s approach will ensure the resources sector can continue to operate under a best practice regulatory environment with the support of a dedicated regulator.

“Importantly, it will also mean that across the broader industry in Western Australia there are a set of shared principles, definitions and objectives when it comes to looking after safety and health in the workplace.”

Howard-Smith said that the CME strongly supported the maintenance of separate but closely aligned safety legislation for the resources sector and general industry.

“We urge the government not to rush through the detail and ensure the industry has a chance to be consulted on the reforms,” he added.