The Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments, unions and employer organisations have developed the new national model Work Health and Safety Regulations and model codes of practice.
DMP?s Resources Safety executive director Simon Ridge said that the WA Government was currently undertaking consultation and the process aims to determine the benefits and costs of the proposed regulations and codes that would apply to general industry in WA.
Ridge is urging mining industry stakeholders to get involved in the process.
?As with the existing occupational health and safety legislation, a large portion of these proposed new regulations and codes would also apply to the mining sector,? he said.
?We all know there is already robust regulation in the resources industry here in WA but we?re continually looking at ways to improve upon these high standards.
?These new harmonised laws are part of this approach.
?Therefore, I encourage those in the exploration, mining construction, mining and mineral processing sectors to participate in the consultation process that is now underway.
?This will provide the State Government with a deeper understanding of industry views while the benefits and costs of these planned laws are being considered.?
A similar process will be undertaken in the future for mining-specific regulations and codes of practice.
?It?s important to remember that whatever is agreed for the proposed new general regulations will, in the most part, apply to the minerals sector,? Ridge said.
To assess the potential costs and benefits of the proposed laws to the WA community, independent firm Marsden Jacob Associates will be collecting feedback until October 12.
Source: West Australian Department of Mines and Petroleum