Key Points

  • The Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WHS Act), which had been scheduled to commence on 1 January 2022, has been delayed until March 2022. Several aspects of the WHS Act are causing significant concern and uncertainty for Bush Fire Brigades.
  • Bushfire Volunteers met with the WorkSafe Commissioner, WALGA and other key stakeholders regarding the safety duties applicable to volunteers under the WHS Act and how they may impact the volunteer bush fire brigade response to a bushfire.
  • Bushfire Volunteers is proud that yet again our behind-the-scenes advocacy work has resulted in common sense being applied to our members in the context of the life threatening and dangerous work they do.

Bushfire Volunteers welcomes the State Government’s announcement the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WHS Act), which had been scheduled to commence on 1 January 2022, has been delayed until March 2022.

Following the announcement of the new legislation, significant concern and uncertainty was raised regarding the safety duties applicable to our members under the WHS Act and how they may impact the volunteer bush fire brigade response to a bushfire.

After many of our members expressed their concerns to the association, Bushfire Volunteers met with key stakeholders such as the WorkSafe Commissioner, WALGA and others, relaying our members’ concerns and seeking reassurance that volunteer firefighters will not be adversely affected by the incoming new laws.

The association is pleased with the outcome, particularly with the added pressures from the commencement of the southern fire season and recent issues with vaccine mandates and is thankful for the engagement and commitment of key stakeholders surrounding the WHS issues.

Bushfire Volunteers is proud that yet again our behind-the-scenes advocacy work has resulted in common sense being applied to our members in the context of the life threatening and dangerous work they do.

More information about the WHS Act can be found at www.dmirs.wa.gov.au/WHS

Bushfire Volunteers will provide further updates regarding matters relating to the WHS Act when they are available.