The Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC) has announced a three month public comment period for a discussion paper on Safety Requirements for the Design, Manufacture and Conformity Assessment of Plant.

The discussion paper proposes strategies to address current issues associated with the design and manufacture of plant.

The National Standard for Plant was declared in 1994 by the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission and established hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control processes for all types of plant.

The ASCC is reviewing the standard and is seeking comment on whether the proposed approaches to improve the regulation of plant design are appropriate in an Australian context.

This public comment process is targeted at designers, manufacturers, suppliers and importers of plant, with the discussion paper supported by two documents; Attachment A - Essential Safety Outcomes for Plant and Attachment B - Draft Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS).

The results of the public comment process will assist the ASCC to refine the policy approach it will take towards the management of plant regulation into the future.

Visit the ASCC website to download the Discussion Paper, and to upload your submission.

Comment must be provided to the ASCC by close of business on 15 May 2009.

In addition, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is also keen to obtain a copy of your comments to the ASCC to ensure we are across issues raised from local Queensland stakeholders. Should you wish to provide a copy of your comments to us, please email them to [email protected]