The national Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act 2011 and Regulations 2011 will supersede the current state and territory workplace/occupational health and safety legislation as of 1 January 2012.

Things to consider with the new national legislation:

• All commercial buildings built prior to 31^st December 2003 are required to have an Asbestos Register prepared. In addition, if asbestos or asbestos containing materials (ACM) are detected this Asbestos Register must be accompanied by an Asbestos Management Plan.
• Whilst preparing asbestos registers, persons with management or control of that workplace should ensure that any materials sampled are analysed by laboratories accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) for the identification of asbestos.
• To ensure compliance with the WHS legislation, the abovementioned must be conducted by a competent person. A competent person is defined as a person who has acquired through training, qualification or experience the knowledge and skills to handle and take asbestos samples.

Failure to comply with this legislation by the 1 January 2012 may result in immediate monetary penalties for individuals, corporations and body corporates.

For more information, please contact OCTIEF on 1300 138 366 or email corporate@octief.com.au.