Master Builders Australia, the peak body for the building and construction industry, has expressed serious concern that a 1 January 2012 start date for OHS harmonisation is no longer tenable because of delays in finalising the model regulations and codes of practice.
Master Builders' CEO, Wilhelm Harnisch said "Builders are seriously concerned about the practicality of a 1 January 2012 start date for OHS harmonisation. They need adequate time to assess the extent of the changes required to their systems and processes and to implement those changes".
"Master Builders remains committed to OHS harmonisation and to working with Government and other stakeholders to settle the legislative package, including the codes of practice, as soon as possible. However, the legitimate concerns of industry about the practicality of a ?1 January 2012 start date need to be addressed.
"In a practical sense it is the model Regulations and Codes of Practice which are important for the day to day operation of work health and safety on the ground. The regulations are still not finalised and many of the Codes of Practice relevant to the construction industry will not be available before 1 January 2012.
"Companies are naturally reluctant to commit resources to changing systems and processes until they are certain of the exact nature of the obligations that will apply. Making two sets of changes is hardly consistent with the objective of achieving greater efficiency from a single OHS system.
"Master Builders therefore considers that appropriate transitional arrangements for OHS harmonisation need to be made. Master Builders' preference is for the commencement date of the legislative package to be 1 July 2012 rather than 1 January 2012. However, Master Builders would welcome other appropriate transitional arrangements which focus in the initial stages of the harmonised framework on assisting duty holders to come up to speed with their new obligations."
