Master Builders Australia (MBA) has called for more time to consider and implement the Federal Government’s occupational health and safety (OHS) harmonisation reform.

 

MBA has expressed its concerns that the planned 1 January 2012 start date for OHS harmonisation is no longer tenable because of the delays in finalising the model regulations and codes of practice.

 

“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’ CEO Wilhelm Harnisch said.

 

Although MBA reiterated its in principle support for the harmonisation scheme, it has stressed that the ‘legitimate concerns of industry’ must be addressed before the start date.

 

“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,” Mr Harnisch said.

 

“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.”

 

MBA has urged that the legislative package tack effect on 1 July 2012.