Current staff

Health and safety legislation

  1. Home
  2. Information and services
  3. Health, safety and wellbeing
  4. Health and safety in the workplace
  5. Governance and responsibilities

UQ operates within a compliance environment governed by a range of occupational health and safety (OHS)-related legislation.

The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and Codes of Practice outline the national framework that ensures the health and safety of workers and workplaces.

Other significant legislation that governs UQ's OHS compliance and risk management framework includes:

Safe Work Australia leads the development of national policy to improve work health and safety and workers' compensation arrangements across Australia.

The Compliance Framework [1.80.02] manages the laws and regulations that apply to UQ. It provides a framework in which everyone takes ownership of their compliance responsibility.

UQ Compliance Legislation Register

For a comprehensive list of legislation and guidelines the University must comply with, see the UQ Compliance Legislation Register.

The Director, Health, Safety and Wellness is the accountable officer for OHS legislation, and is responsible for ensuring the Compliance Register is kept up-to-date.

You can also:

  • visit the Queensland Government Legislation website for current Queensland legislation and historical information
  • use the Lawlex database to find federal, state and territory legislation from across Australia
  • subscribe to alerts about changes to relevant legislation through the Lawlex Premium legislative alert service. You'll need to contact Enterprise Compliance to subscribe. See their information on legislation alerts and research for instructions.

SafetyLaw

SafetyLaw (from the Environment Essentials company) provides online directories that summarise, categorise and help identify environmental and OHS/WHS requirements in Australia. Health, Safety and Wellness has a subscription, to access this service. 

First time using SafetyLaw? You need to register using the SafetyLaw registration form (staff login required). You'll then be emailed a automated password to complete your login.

Australian Standards

Standards are official publications used in industry and trade to describe specifications and procedures. Standards provide rules and recommendations for:

  • quality
  • safety
  • performance and construction
  • codes of practice
  • methods of testing
  • symbols and terminology.

You can search Australian Standards online via the SAI Global database (UQ login required).

Committee Adviser (Health, Safety and Wellness Division)