Draft model WHS Codes of Practice and guidance - Public Comment Response Form

Complete and submit this form by 5pm AEST Friday 24 AUGUST 2012 to

1.  Cranes
Section/page no. / Comment
Impacts: Do you anticipate any potential costs or safety benefits of complying with this code that are different to current requirements in your jurisdiction? If so, what are they?
2.  Amusement Devices
Section/page no. / Comment
Impacts: Do you anticipate any potential costs or safety benefits of complying with this code that are different to current requirements in your jurisdiction? If so, what are they?
3.  Industrial Lift Trucks
Section/page no. / Comment
Impacts: Do you anticipate any potential costs or safety benefits of complying with this code that are different to current requirements in your jurisdiction? If so, what are they?
4.  Managing Risks of Plant used in Rural Workplaces
Section/page no. / Comment
1.1 / page 6 / The definition of a rural workplace is clear. It is recommended that an additional comment be included that a workplace remains as such regardless if work is actively being undertaken at the time of an incident.
1.2 / page 6 / It is recommended the summary of “who has health and safety duties” include an example of “other persons” to explicitly clarify that usual residents and visitors to rural workplaces (such as children and other family members) are included within the scope of the Code of Practice.
1.2 / page 7 / In the description of “Other persons at the workplace”, it is recommended children are specifically mentioned and the limitations with which they can take reasonable care for their own safety.
2.3 / page 11 / The provided example of a substitution of a side-by-side vehicle for a quad bike is helpful and it is recommended that the option of side-by-side vehicles be included in s 4.5, p 31 as one of the ‘better choices for the tasks being completed’.
3.10 / page 17 / It is recommended that the direction for information, training, instruction or supervision to be provided to workers and other persons include mention that this for plant used in the workplace, regardless of whether the other person is engaging in a work activity.
3.10 / page 17 / It is recommended that training programs not only consider the particular needs of the workers, but that the directive explicitly include mention of the physical size and strength of the person to be taken into account.
4.5 / page 30 / The description of larger and more powerful quad bikes is beneficial for adult riders. It is important to explicitly mention that smaller quad bikes may still pose challenges for inexperienced riders and that children under age 12 are not competent to ride any size quad bike.
4.5 / page 31 / It is recommended that the information outlining major considerations specifically separate age of rider from ‘intended use’ to its own dot point. Further, that there is mention that the age of the rider is suitably matched to the size of the quad bike. The Commission advises young people aged 12 and over should be restricted to quad bikes of 90cc or less until at least age 16, and no children under the age of 12 should be operating a quad bike of any size.
4.5 / page 32 / Statement should read, “Carrying passengers on quad bikes which have been designed to carry one person not only interferes with the normal dynamics of the vehicle, (t)he added weight will also complicate handling…”
4.5 / page 32 / The statement “never allow any child under 16 to ride an adult-sized quad bike” requires further clarification regarding what is considered to be “adult-sized”. It is recommended that to avoid confusion and increased risk of harm, a specific engine size of 90 cc or less is nominated.
4.5 / page 32 / The statement “keep children away from the quad bike” requires more specificity. It is recommended the statement be “keep children under 12 years away from operating a quad bike or riding as a passenger regardless of the quad bike size”.
4.5 / page 32 / It is recommended an additional risk control be included relating to the active supervision of young people whilst riding quad bikes in recognition of their limited problem solving, first aid and emergency response skills, as well as their general inexperience operating rural plant and other vehicles.
Impacts: Do you anticipate any potential costs or safety benefits of complying with this code that are different to current requirements in your jurisdiction? If so, what are they?
The recent proposed amendments to the Queensland Rural Plant Code 2004:
·  do not explicitly define adult-sized quad bikes
·  do not restrict children from riding quad bikes
·  do not provide a definition of ‘other persons at the workplace’ that clearly includes children and other residents
·  do not define a rural workplace in accordance with the statutory duty of care owed by persons conducting a business or undertaking to ‘other persons’ and the existence and application of Queensland’s ‘Children and Young Workers Code of Practice 2006’
The inclusion of these issues within the national Code of Practice will be better aligned to the QLD Children and Young Workers Code of Practice than the Queensland Rural Plant Code.
5.  Managing Security Risks in the Cash-in-transit Industry
Section/page no. / Comment
Impacts: Do you anticipate any potential costs or safety benefits of complying with this code that are different to current requirements in your jurisdiction? If so, what are they?
6.  Managing Risks in Forestry Operations
Section/page no. / Comment
Impacts: Do you anticipate any potential costs or safety benefits of complying with this code that are different to current requirements in your jurisdiction? If so, what are they?
7.  Guide for Tunnelling
Section/page no. / Comment
Impacts: Do you anticipate any potential costs or safety benefits of complying with this guidance material that are different to current requirements in your jurisdiction? If so, what are they?
8.  Guide for Managing Risk in Cable logging
Section/page no. / Comment
Impacts: Do you anticipate any potential costs or safety benefits of complying with this guidance material that are different to current requirements in your jurisdiction? If so, what are they?

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