Australian Capital Territory
Work Safety (ACT Code of Practice for Steel Construction) Code of Practice 2010
Disallowable Instrument DI 2010 - 231
made under the  
Work Safety Act 2008, Section 18, (Codes of Practice)
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Section 18 of the Work Safety Act 2008 provides that the Minister may approve a code of practice to provide practical guidance about the Act.  Section 18 (2) provides that before approving a proposed code of practice, the Minister must refer consult the ACT Work Safety Council.  At its 3rd on 18 June 2010, the Council noted that approval would be sought to have the ACT Code of Practice for Steel Construction notified as a Code of Practice in the ACT.

The Code of Practice provides guidance to persons conducting a business or undertaking, workers and others involved in the erection of structural steel buildings to reduce the risk of injury and illness to workers.  The Code sets out practical guidance to prevent the occurrence of injury and illness, and practical guidance for the safe erection of steel structures.

An employer, an owner of premises used as a workplace, a designer, manufacturer or supplier of places of work or of items for use in a workplace, a health and safety representative, an OHS professional, a worker or anyone else interested in reducing the likelihood of injury and illness to workers involved in the erection of steel structures will implement the recommended procedures for managing these risks. 

Following the Code could produce benefits that include-

•	improved business performance, efficiency and productivity;
•	fewer workers’ compensation claims, which may lead to lower premiums;
•	faster and easier return to work for workers who do sustain an injury;
•	fewer absences from work, and less disruption;
•	retention of skilled workers;  and
•	a safe workplace with a positive safety culture.

This instrument takes effect on 1 October 2010.

An approval under section 18 (1) is a disallowable instrument.