There have been some interesting mutterings coming from safety regulators and their political masters during the long funeral march of harmonisation in Western Australia over the past few years. However, it seems now that the “H” word is out, and “modernisation” is in.
At least that was the language being used recently at the SIA Safety in Action conference in Perth.
I for one will be glad when the corpse of harmonisation is finally laid to rest. Perhaps then we can focus on legislative changes that will actually drive good safety initiatives, rather than continue to tinker at the edges of administrative efficiency.
Whether “modernisation” in Western Australia means anything more than doing exactly what we have done for the last 20 years, but using different words to describe it, only time will tell. And if the history of legislative change around safety and health in WA is any guide, I would not be holding my breath waiting for meaningful change.
My Safety Thoughts 