Changes to occupational health and safety laws and the impact on volunteers in the emergency services

The states and territories have agreed to enact new, nationally consistent workplace health and safety laws. These new laws are based on the Model Work Health and Safety Bill and will come into effect on 1 January 2010. This article compares the position under the Model Act with the current legal position to identify the implications for volunteers in the Australian emergency services. It is argued that the new law will reinforce the message that Australia's emergency service volunteers provide an important and professional service. The new law should not impede volunteers but should facilitate their work both at home and inter-state.