Safe Work Australia

On this page you will find information on

• About the model Codes of Practice
• Transitional approach to the model Codes of Practice
• Model Codes of Practice
• Draft Codes of Practice awaiting endorsement by Select Council on Workplace Relations (Ministerial Council)
• Preventing and Managing Fatigue in the Workplace and Responding to Workplace Bullying draft Codes of Practice

About the model Codes of Practice

Model Codes of Practice are practical guides to achieving the standards of health, safety and welfare required under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act and the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations.

A code of practice applies to anyone who has a duty of care in the circumstances described in the code. In most cases, following an approved code of practice would achieve compliance with the health and safety duties in the WHS Act, in relation to the subject matter of the code. Like regulations, codes of practice deal with particular issues and do not cover all hazards or risks which may arise. The health and safety duties require duty holders to consider all risks associated with work, not only those for which regulations and codes of practice exist.

Codes of practice are admissible in court proceedings under the WHS Act and Regulations. Courts may regard a code of practice as evidence of what is known about a hazard, risk or control and may rely on the code in determining what is reasonably practicable in the circumstances to which the code relates.

The model Codes of Practice have been developed by Safe Work Australia and informed by public comment. Submissions from public comment periods are still available to view. See Harmonisation – Background

Transitional approach to the model Codes of Practice

Transitional arrangements under the model Work Health and Safety Act and model Work Health and Safety Regulations in each jurisdiction will allow duty holders a period of time to make necessary adjustments in order to comply with any new requirements.

Model Codes of Practice are based on existing codes and guidance that are currently available in jurisdictions.  Existing jurisdictional codes will remain in place until replacement model Codes of Practice are approved.

The transitional policy provides information about the approach work health and safety regulators will take to assist businesses to transition to any new requirements contained in approved Codes of Practice from 1 January 2012.

Model Codes of Practice

The following model Codes of Practice have been approved by Safe Work Australia members and the Ministerial Council.

Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemical

Confined Spaces

Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work

Managing the Work Environment and Facilities

Work Health and Safety Consultation Cooperation and Coordination

Draft Codes of Practice awaiting endorsement by Select Council on Workplace Relations (Ministerial Council)

The following 12 model codes of practice have been endorsed by Safe Work Australia Members and are ready for endorsement by the Ministerial Council:

First aid in the workplace (PDF 274kb | DOC 375kb) 

Construction work (PDF 609kb | DOC 140kb) 

Preventing falls in housing construction (PDF 1.4MB | DOC 1.9MB) 

Managing electrical risks at the workplace (PDF 1.1MB | DOC 754kb) 

Managing risks of hazardous chemicals (PDF 1.3MB| DOC 926kb) 

Managing risks of plant in the workplace (PDF 915kb | DOC 1.7MB) 

Safe design of structures (PDF 359kb | DOC 427kb)

Excavation work (PDF 3.44MB | DOC 3MB)

Demolition work (PDF 470kb | DOC 378kb)

Spray painting and powder coating (PDF 667kb | DOC 660kb)

Abrasive blasting (PDF 532kb | DOC 2MB)

Welding processes (PDF 733kb | DOC 484kb)

Once approved by the Ministerial Council the package of 12 codes of practice will become model Codes of Practice under the Inter-Governmental Agreement for regulatory and operational reform in OHS (IGA). The Ministerial endorsed codes of practice will be published on the Safe Work Australia website to replace the draft codes above.

Preventing and Managing Fatigue in the Workplace and Responding to Workplace Bullying draft Codes of Practice

The Preventing and Managing Fatigue in the Workplace and Preventing and Responding to Workplace Bullying draft model Code of Practice are currently being revised based on public comment feedback and that is envisaged materials on this matter will be finalised in the second half of the year.