Occupational health and safety (OHS) lawyer Barry Sherriff has been appointed Chairman of the federal Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission.

The body regulates workers’ compensation and OHS arrangements for federal and ACT public sector employees, plus staff of self-insured organisations.

Mr Sherriff, a partner of Norton Rose Fulbright in Melbourne, is the author of several OHS publications and in 2008/09 co-authored the National Review into Model Occupational Health and Safety Laws.

He became acting chairman of the commission in April after Cameron Dick resigned.

The Abbott Government plans to restructure the commission.