ARA continues to work with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) to lobby the Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC) and state and territory governments with a view to preventing the Draft National Standard for Manual Tasks (the Draft Standard) being made in its current form. The present form of the Draft Standard, if not changed, will only serve to create more red tape for retailers but contribute little to improve the safety of manual tasks in the workplace, in ARA’s view.
If the Draft Standard remains unchanged it may result in retailers having to risk assess every item sold for use in a workplace (arguably every sheet of paper sold by a retailer might require a risk assessment). It may also impose an obligation for an employer to supervise every hazardous manual task to ensure it is carried out correctly. The Draft Standard also includes a requirement for employers to provide information relating to the health and safety of every item that may be used in a workplace.
The Draft Code of Practice in its current form is well over 100 pages and is confusing. ARA has also raised concerns that the risk assessment models currently included are too complex for smaller retailers to be able to follow.
It is very likely that both the Draft Standard and Draft Code of Practice will be approved by the ASCC in May this year. In ARA’s view, if this proceeds it will result in a Standard and Code of Practice for Manual Tasks that are entirely unworkable.
Of particular concern is that OHS legislation in NSW and Tasmania has direct references to the National Standard and Code of Practice for Manual Handling, meaning that any approved Code and Standard will be directly applicable in these jurisdictions. In addition the Victorian WorkCover Authority has indicated they will adopt any new National Code of Practice for Manual Tasks. ARA is of the view that there are already excellent guidance materials in many states and that developing these materials further is a preferable course to further occupational health and safety standards in the retail industry.
This is an important issue for all retailers. ARA is currently working closely with a number of members to highlight the practical difficulties retailers will face complying with these requirements with the members of the ASCC and the state and territory governments. ARA encourages all interested retailers to contact ARA if they wish to find out more information about these draft documents or they wish to provide ARA with feedback on the draft documents. Both of the draft documents are available to view on the ARA website at www.ara.com.au. If you want to be involved in this process please contact Mark Mullins on either (03) 9321 5000 or at mark.mullins@ara.com.au.
