Businesses in the NT have until October 26 to comment on proposed amendments to the territory’s work health and safety legislation.

The planned changes are based on feedback received during the national “harmonisation” review of work health and safety legislation last year.

In that review the NT Government released a paper seeking submissions on territory-specific issues identified since the start of nationally harmonised legislation in 2012.

NT WorkSafe Executive Director Stephen Gelding says with the implementation of any new legislation, it is desirable to hold a review after a few years “to make sure there are no unintended consequences”.

“Workplace safety should be the priority for every business and worker, but we need to make sure the cost of complying with the laws hasn’t increased without any tangible health and safety benefits,” he said.

“Our aim is to improve the NT’s work health and safety legislation so territory businesses and workers can get on with their work, while still complying with a legislative framework that ensures the safety of all Territorians.”

Meanwhile, the Return to Work Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 is expected to take effect next month.

That amendment to the NT Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act – and an earlier amendment, the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Legislation Amendment 2015, which took effect on July 1 – followed a review of the scheme last year.

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