Codes of practice

Codes of practice provide strategies to prevent accidents and acceptable ways of complying with occupational safety and health laws in WA

Contents

1. What is a code of practice?
2. Development of industry codes of practice
3. Codes of practice used in WA
4. National codes of practice and other jurisdictions
5. Australian Standards  

1. What is a code of practice?

A code of practice is defined in the Act as a document prepared for the purpose of providing:

• practical advice on preventative strategies; and
• a practical means of achieving any code, standard, rule, provision or specification relating to occupational safety and health in Western Australia.

A code of practice may contain explanatory information.  The preventative strategies outlined do not represent the only acceptable means of achieving a certain standard.

A code of practice does not have the same legal force as a regulation and is not sufficient reason, of itself, for prosecution under the Act.

The codes of practice are developed by the Commission for Occupational Safety and Health.

Codes of practice:

• should be followed, unless there is another solution which achieves the same or better result; and
• can be used to support prosecution for non-compliance.

2. Development of industry codes of practice

The Commission welcomes the development of industry codes of practice that contain information which is technically and legally correct thereby enhancing standards of occupational safety and health within their industry. Guidelines have been prepared to assist with the development of industry codes of practice that are to be submitted for approval under section 57 of the Act.

Guidelines for the development of industry codes of practice for approval under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 

3. Codes of practice used in WA

Veiw a list of codes of practice.

4. National codes of practice and other jurisdictions

Click on a link below to be transferred to other jurisdiction websites to view their codes of practice: