As a small business am I expected to comply immediately with the requirements of the new legislation?
The provisions of the OHS Act 2000 apply from commencement of the Act (ie. 1 September, 2001). However, transitional provisions apply to all new requirements under the OHS Regulation 2001. Small businesses (ie. employers with 20 or less employees) had two years ie September 1, 2003, in which to implement the risk management provisions in the Regulation – this includes the requirements to identify, assess and eliminate risks found in Chapter 2 of the Regulation. If it is not practicable to eliminate the risk, then the employer must control the risk.
