As reported in the previous edition of The ARA Retailer, the Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC) has moved to declare a new National Standard and Code of Practice for Manual Tasks. Although the ARA continued to object to the declaration of these documents, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) proposed several key amendments which were aimed to make these documents more workable for industry in general. During the meeting of the ASCC on 16 May it was taken that these changes were accepted.
Due to some administrative oversights the ASCC has chosen to defer the declaration of both the National Standard and Code of Practice until the next meeting of the ASCC in August. As such all jurisdictions are further considering whether they will continue to support these amendments.
It is disappointing that after achieving badly needed progress in relation to both documents that there have been further issues in relation to their declaration.
The ARA will again impress upon the different jurisdictions the imperative nature of the proposed amendments (which relate to standardising requirements to consult with employees and removing onerous obligations in relation to risk management from the documents). Without these vital changes to both the National Standard and Code of Practice it is unlikely that many retailers will have the resources or relevant expertise to implement either document in their workplaces.
