Safe Work Australia has issued an update on its progress on the national system:

• The WHS laws commenced in the Commonwealth, ACT, NSW, NT and QLD on 1 January 2012. The WHS laws have passed in Tasmania with a commencement date of 1 January 2013.
• Six further Codes of Practice have been endorsed as part of the harmonised WHS laws subject to minor technical and editorial changes:
  • Safe design of structures
  • Excavation work
  • Demolition work
  • Spray painting and powder coating
  • Abrasive blasting, and
  • Welding processes.
  After technical and editorial changes are finalised these codes together with the six codes previously agreed by Members will be sent to the Ministerial Council:
  • First aid in the workplace
  • Managing risks in construction work
  • Preventing falls in housing construction
  • Managing electrical risks at the workplace
  • Managing risks of hazardous chemicals, and
  • Managing risks of plant in the workplace.
  If approved these 12 codes will become model Codes of Practice.
• Five further Codes of Practice will be released for a 12 week public comment period commencing early April 2012:
  • Safe design, manufacture, import and supply of plant
  • Working in the vicinity of overhead and underground electrical services
  • Traffic management in workplaces
  • Scaffolding work, and
  • Formwork and falsework.