Australian Capital Territory
Work Safety (ACT Code of Practice for the Sexual Services Industry) Code of Practice 
Disallowable Instrument 2010 - 229
made under the  
Work Safety Act 2008, section 18 (Codes of Practice)
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

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

The Code provides practical guidance to persons conducting a business or undertaking, sex workers and other workers in the sexual services industry in the ACT on how to meet appropriate work safety standards.

An employer, an owner of premises used as a work place, a health and safety representative, an OHS professional, a worker or anyone else interested in the safety standards in the sexual services industry, will implement the recommended procedures for managing those safety standards in the workplace.

The objects of the Code are to reduce the incidence and severity of injuries and illness to workers.

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.