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Commonwealth legislation
This Act has been repealed and is no longer in force. It is retained for historical reference.
This Code of Practice consolidates 27 prior guides into a single practical manual under the Commonwealth Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 for federally regulated workplaces. It tells employers, manufacturers/suppliers, employees and contractors how to manage workplace hazards using a risk‑management approach and the hierarchy of controls.
The Code isn’t itself law but is admissible in court; following it helps prevent injuries, illnesses and deaths by setting clear, practical safety standards.
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Direct links to the current provisions in Occupational Health and Safety Code of Practice 2008.
Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
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Occupational Health and Safety Code of Practice 2008
I, The Hon Julia Gillard MP, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, approve the following Code of Practice under subsection 70(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991.
Dated: 2 June 2008
[Signed]
The Hon Julia Gillard MP
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
1 Name of Code of Practice
This instrument is the Occupational Health and Safety Code of Practice 2008
2 Application
Pursuant to paragraph 70(4) (a) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991, this Code of Practice is to apply generally.
3 Commencement
This Code of Practice commences the day after it is registered.
4 Revocation
This instrument revokes all current Approved Codes of Practice.
FOREWORD
The Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission (SRCC) oversee the operation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 (the Act). The functions of the Commission include:
Comcare is a statutory body established by the Australian Government to lead and promote efforts to prevent and reduce the incidence of occupational injury and disease as well as promote safety by producing a healthy and safe work environment.
Comcare undertakes a number of functions on behalf of the Commission. Comcare’s activities include education, regulation, enforcement, research and the provision of relevant policy advice to both the Commission and persons covered by the Act.
Comcare developed this Code of Practice on behalf of the Commission.
CONTENTS
[Use engineering methods to control the hazard](#
This is an opening excerpt, not the complete document.