International SOS is hosting a webinar to educate Australian companies and global companies with staff based in Australia on the new Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) laws.
The new laws, which are being rolled out across in each Australian jurisdiction and have come into effect in some states and territories already, set an expected standard of care for all employees, contractors and vendors. Tougher new penalties for breaches include criminal charges and higher fines.
While the laws have so far only come into effect in NSW, QLD, NT and the ACT, as well as at Commonwealth level, it is worth highlighting that regardless of the head office location, if staff are employed or supplying services in states where the laws have passed, responsibility is on the company to comply with the changes.
One of the most significant changes is that duties owed under Australian workplace safety laws may apply to Australian businesses or undertakings which have workers travelling for work purposes, or who are based in overseas jurisdictions. They may also apply to foreign businesses that have workers travelling to, or based in, Australia.
Steve Bell, Senior Associate at Freehills law firm, advised that companies sending employees overseas for travel and longer-term duties are required to take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure the health and safety of workers while they are at work, whether the worker is in Australia or overseas.
Responsibility for ensuring compliance cannot fall to in-house legal counsel alone, and staff with other remits need to understand how the new laws apply across different areas of the business.
"Implementing duty of care and WHS risk mitigation programs may fall to travel managers, risk managers, security or medical directors, human resources or other staff. It is no longer enough to give travelling staff a briefing and send them on their way," International SOS Medical Director, Dr Hooper said.
Staff from all areas of businesses are invited to attend the free webinar and learn from the experts what needs to be done to meet these new laws.
Presenting the webinar will be:
- Steve Bell, Senior Associate at Freehills law firm
- Dr Dick Hooper, Medical Director at International SOSThe webinar will commence at 2pm (AEST) on Thursday 8 March. To download the briefing papers and register for the event go to our dedicated WHS micro site.
A recording and summary will be made available to download after the event.
ENDS
Media enquiries
Rebecca Malzacher, Regional Marketing Director,
+61 3 9863 7914
Rebecca.Malzacher@internationalsos.com
About International SOS
International SOS (http://www.internationalsos.com/) is the world's leading international healthcare, medical and security assistance, and concierge services company. Operating in over 70 countries, International SOS provides integrated medical, clinical, security, and customer care solutions to organizations with international operations. A global team of over 10,000 employees led by 1,000 full-time physicians and 200 security specialists provides services including planning, preventative programs, in-country expertise and emergency response to 66 percent of the Fortune Global 500 companies.
