WorkSafe Victoria Proposed Compliance Code - Workplace Facilities, Amenities and Work Environment.

WorkSafe Victoria (WorkSafe), in collaboration with key stakeholders, has prepared the proposed Workplace facilities, amenities and work environment compliance code (proposed code) on behalf of the Victorian Government.

The proposed changes will help employers, employees and safety personnel across a range of industries to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OHS Act) and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (OHS Regulations) more easily. It may also assist Health and Safety Representatives.

The proposed code provides practical guidance for those who have duties and obligations in relation to the provision of facilities at workplaces under the OHS Actand OHS Regulations.

The proposed code is based on the current Workplace amenities and work environment compliance code that was originally released in September 2008.

The proposed code has been updated to align with other recently made compliance codes and has also been updated to:

• provide clearer delineation between workplace facilities and workplace amenities

• improve the structure and order of information across and within parts, for better readability;

• incorporate style and language updates to ensure it is consistent with WorkSafe's advisory language framework, including appropriate use of ‘must’, ‘needs to’ and ‘should’;

• include information about additional hazards such as infectious disease outbreaks and bushfire smoke;

• include information about the provision of all gender facilities such as toilets, change rooms and showers;

• provide more detailed information on heating, cooling and thermal comfort considerations;

• include more detailed guidance for mobile, temporary and remote workplaces

• provide new information on communications for mobile and remote employees

The proposed code will aim to cover the following in detail

Introduction

• Purpose, scope, application
• What are workplace facilities and amenities?
• Who has duties?
• Consultation
• Identifying which facilities and amenities are necessary
• Maintaining and cleaning facilities and amenities
• Monitoring and review

Facilities

• Toilets
• Number and gender ratio
• Design
• Access
• Facilities for toilets
• Handwashing
• Drinking water
• Drinking facilities
• Personal storage
• Change rooms
• Shower facilities

Amenities and the work environment

• Entry and exit
• Workspace
• Ventilation, air quality and air conditioning
• Lighting
• Seating
• Flooring
• Outdoor work
• Responding to emergencies

Mobile, temporary or remote workplaces

• Communications for mobile and remote employees
• Employer provided accommodation

The Appendices include a facilities and amenities planning checklist

Compliance codes form part of the Victorian OHS legislative framework.  Each code provides practical guidance to duty holders on how to comply with duties under the OHS Act and OHS Regulations.

While the guidance provided in a compliance code is not mandatory, a duty holder who complies with a compliance code will, to the extent it deals with their duties and obligations under the relevant legislation, be considered to have complied with those duties or obligations.

Compliance codes use simple language, examples, pictures and diagrams to show known, available and effective means of achieving compliance in everyday circumstances and situations.

Progress on the proposed code can be followed via https://engage.vic.gov.au/workplace-facilities-amenities-and-work-environment-compliance-code

WorkSafe Compliance codes can be accessed via https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/compliance-codes-and-codes-practice