New codes of practice commenced.

In 2018, Safe Work Australia a full review of the national model codes of practice were undertaken, the changes were limited to usability, readability and technical accuracy of the codes - no substantial content/policy changes were included.

These codes were commenced on 1 March 2021, the codes that were included in the amended code rollout are as follows:

• How to manage Work Health and Safety risks Code of Practice 2021

• Excavation work Code of Practice 2021

• Safe design of structures Code of Practice 2021

• First Aid in the workplace Code of Practice 2021

• Abrasive blasting Code of Practice 2021

• Confined spaces Code of Practice 2021

• Hazardous manual tasks Code of Practice 2021

• Managing the work environment and facilities Code of Practice 2021

• Demolition work Code of Practice 2021

• How to safely remove asbestos Code of Practice 2021

• Welding processes Code of Practice 2021

• Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work Code of Practice 2021

• Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace Code of Practice 2021

• Work Health and Safety consultation, cooperation and coordination Code of Practice 2021

• Spray painting and powder coating Code of Practice 2021

• Managing electrical risks in the workplace Code of Practice 2021

• Managing the risks of plant in the workplace Code of Practice 2021

• Labelling of workplace hazardous chemicals Code of Practice 2021

• How to manage and control asbestos in the workplace Code of Practice 2021

• Managing the risks of falls at workplaces Code of Practice 2021

• Preparation of safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals Code of Practice 2021

All businesses must do a review of their current documents, processes and procedures to ensure they comply with the updated codes of practice. This upholds a WHS culture within your organisation and will benefit you in the long run.

Changes to asbestos regulation

From 1 May 2021, low density asbestos fibre board (LDB), also known as asbestos insulating board, will be classified as a friable material in all circumstances. This means LDB can only legally be removed by a class A asbestos removal licence holder.

If you’re a class B asbestos removal licence holder and want to be able to remove LDB after 1 May 2021, you will need to apply to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland for a class A asbestos removal licence.

These changes will also affect businesses and tradespeople who carry out maintenance and service work involving LDB installed in buildings and plant or equipment prior to 31 December 2003. Carrying out work involving LDB will be prohibited unless the task is one of the following and the work is done in the way specified by a regulator-approved method:

• repairing damaged LDB

• painting LDB

• drilling a hole in LDB

• moving LDB ceiling tiles

• installing or removing fixtures or fittings.

View these approved work method statements

All workers performing these tasks must be trained in how to identify and safely handle asbestos-containing materials and how to do the work safely. Information on how to complete the training is also at asbestos.qld.gov.au