The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) and the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CMEWA) will receive ongoing funding from the Western Australian Government to support the implementation of the state’s modernised work health and safety laws.
The organisations will receive $300,000 per annum across four years under the Work Health and Safety Implementation Peak Body Grants program.
The program was established to provide funding for peak employer and employee representative bodies to partner with the Government in supporting and educating Western Australian businesses and workers about the pending changes to work health and safety laws.
AMEC and CMEWA will use the funding to run conferences and training workshops, as well as to develop education materials and utilise social media, websites and printed publications to raise awareness in Western Australian workplaces about the new laws.
Industrial Relations Minister Stephen Dawson said the program is part of the Western Australian Government’s suite of strategies to introduce modernised work health and safety laws.
“Every person who goes to work deserves to come home safe and healthy, which is why it’s important we educate workers and employers on the requirements of the new workplace safety laws,” Dawson said.
“Many thanks to the representative peak bodies who have agreed to assist with education for the transition to the new work health and safety laws in Western Australia.
“The peak bodies all have an essential role in improving knowledge about health and safety laws among employers and workers in Western Australia, and I thank them for partnering with the Government to facilitate this transition.
“I encourage employers and workers to access education and information initiatives about the new work health and safety requirements as they become available.
“Extensive information about the changes is also available on the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety website.”