A number of changes to the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012 (SA) come into effect on 1 January 2021. This includes changes to air monitoring during asbestos removal work, chemical labelling, references to Australian Standards for lasers and pressure equipment and minor updates for diving work.
Air monitoring for asbestos removal
Following consultation, the WHS Regulations have been amended to make permanent the long standing requirement in South Australia:
that an independent licensed asbestos assessor conduct air monitoring for asbestos removal under both Class A and Class B licences.
The permanent amendment to the regulations is in effect from 1 January 2021 and ensures that the requirement for continuous air monitoring during Class A and Class B asbestos removals.
GHS7 chemical labelling
Australia officially begins the transition from GHS 3 to GHS 7 on 1 January 2021. The transition period is for two years and will end on 31 December 2022.
The Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012 (SA) have been amended to give effect to this transition and update references to the GHS.
Lasers and pressure equipment
From 1 January 2021, the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012 (SA) will incorporate amendments to reference the current Australian Standards for lasers and pressure equipment:
Regulation 223 will reference:
- AS 2397:2015 Safe use of lasers in the building and construction industry in place of AS 2397:2003 Safe use of lasers in the building and construction industry.
Schedule 5 Part 1 and Part 2 will reference:
- AS 4343:2014 Pressure equipment – Hazard levels instead of AS4343:2005 Pressure equipment – Hazard levels
- AS1200:2015 Pressure equipment instead of AS1200:2000 Pressure equipment.
Diving work
From 1 January 2021, the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012 (SA) will incorporate amendments to:
- update references to relevant Australian Standards and omit a reference to a withdrawn Standard
- improve clarity
- correct minor errors.
See Safe Work Australia for further details.
