Occupational health and safety (OHS)

On 1 January 2012, new national OHS laws take effect. These new laws provide far greater exposure for individual company directors and management, who will be subject to new compliance obligations and will be required to implement formal due diligence frameworks. For contracting businesses operating from third party sites, new provisions will create joint obligations with the site owner which will need to be managed through contracts. There will also be significant increases in regulatory oversight and in penalties for non-compliance with the OHS laws. Penalties may be sought against both the company and individuals within the company with responsibility for OHS - which now will extend up to the Board level and down to line management.

Talbot Olivier is at the forefront of helping businesses prepare for these major changes. We can ensure that your company, and key personnel within your company, have at their disposal the tools to achieve compliance from day one. Some of the services which we can provide that may be of value to your company, directors and managers are: Board briefing papers on the changes; reviewing existing Board reporting frameworks to ensure compliance; highlighting key commercial risks and how they can be managed; developing effecting and compliant due diligence frameworks; reviewing existing contracts for compliance and suggesting changes; and drafting indemnity deeds for company officers.

For further information, please contact:

Mark Hemery on 9420 7100.