Discussion document
prepared by the Department of Labour
March 2008

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Foreword
  • Your Response Invited
• Making submissions
• Introduction
  • Existing regulatory framework
  • What is the problem?
  • What is this paper about?
• The Range of Approaches
  • Potential options
    I. A NEW SAFETY CASE HAZARD MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
    Safety case regime
    II. WAYS TO IMPROVE NOTIFICATION OF HAZARDS
    a. Licensing regime
    b. Third-party monitoring system
    c. Notification regime for certain high-risk activities
    III. WAYS TO IMPROVE GUIDANCE
    a. Health and safety management systems and major hazard management plans
    b. Increased supporting guidance, including an approved code of practice (ACOP) on hazard management
    IV. WAYS TO AMEND REGULATORY COVERAGE
    a. Extending coverage of the HSE Mining Underground Regulations 1999
    b. Amending the HSE (Mining Administration) Regulations 1996
    V. WAYS TO IMPROVE EMPLOYEE PARTICIPATION
    Employee participation requirements
    VI. WAYS TO IMPROVE HEALTH AND SAFETY INSPECTIONS
    Requirements for health and safety inspectors
    
• CONCLUSION
• APPENDIX 1: BENEFITS AND RISKS OF THE OPTIONS
• APPENDIX 2: AUSTRALIAN PRACTICE
  • New South Wales
  • Queensland
  • Victoria