Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) - Australia (Ratification: 2004)

The Committee notes the observations of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), received on 2 September 2015.

Articles 1 and 3(a) of the Convention. Application of the Convention to all branches of economic activity. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in response to its previous request that a review was undertaken of the occupational safety and health (OSH) regime in the maritime sector, involving consultation with maritime industry stakeholders. The review recommended repealing the Occupational Health and Safety (Maritime Industry) Act, 1993, and bringing the persons covered by that Act under the Work Health and Safety Act. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the measures taken to ensure the application of the Convention to seafarers.

Articles 4 and 7. Periodic review and implementation of the national policy in consultation with the most representative organizations of employers and workers. Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012–22. The Committee notes the Government’s statement, in response to its previous request, that the progress on the Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012–22 is measured through rough annual progress reports and case studies, and that Safe Work Australia publishes statistical reports that measure progress against the Strategy’s targets. The Government indicates that the Strategy will be reviewed in 2017. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the implementation of the Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012–22, in consultation with the most representative organizations of employers and workers, as well as the outcome of the review held in 2017.

Article 11(c) and the 2002 Protocol to Convention No. 155. Notification of occupational accidents and diseases. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government, in response to its previous request, concerning the notification of occupational accidents and diseases, and the measures that it is taking to improve information on occupational diseases to better reflect their incidence. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information in its next report on the application in law and practice of the 2002 Protocol to Convention No. 155.

Article 19(b). Cooperation. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in reply to its previous request that South Australia now implements the model WHS laws. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken in Victoria to ensure that representatives of workers in the undertaking cooperate with the employer in the field of OSH.