Occupational Health & Safety

New regulations for Occupational Health and Safety came into effect on 1 July 2007.

The OHS Regulations bring licensing arrangements into line with the OHS Act 2004 and the national standards. As well as setting out the processes for obtaining licences and regiatrations, they specify the requirements that must be satisfied before the various licences will be granted.

The OHS Regulations specify that a licence or registration is required from WorkSafe before undertaking certain activities at workplaces. These include:

• Doing high risk work (formerly covered by certificates of competency)
• The removal of specific types and amounts of asbestos
• Operating a major hazard facility
• Using scheduled carcinogens 
• Designing and using hazardous plant (boilers, cranes, work platforms, etc)

For information on how to apply and application forms refer to the How to comply section of this guide

View the regulations

What’s new

Licensing for high risk work

The safety laws that allow people to operate forklifts, cranes, boom lifts and other high risk equipment have changed. As a result, you need to transfer from your existing ticket to the new “Licence to Perform High Risk Work”.

The new licence is being introduced to align with national safety standards, improve interstate recognition of your skills and better protect against fraud by incorporating your photo into the licence.

First time applicants should contact an authorised license assessor to book in a test.

Click here to transfer to the new licence, or to find out more.

Construction Induction

From 1 July 2008, all people performing construction work will require proof that they have completed a general OHS construction induction for the industry.

This means they will need to possess one of the following:

• a ‘red card’ issued by a Foundations for Safety Victoria member for training completed prior to 1 July 2008
• a ‘construction induction card’ issued by WorkSafe upon completion of OHS induction training through a registered training organisation
• recognised evidence of completing general OHS training for the construction industry recognised by a corresponding interstate authority.