The Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner (OFSC) has released updated guidance to help accredited companies understand how compliance and enforcement are approached under the Work Health and Safety Accreditation Scheme (the Scheme). 

The updated guidance makes Scheme expectations clearer for companies. It explains 

• how the OFSC monitors safety performance, 
• how issues are followed up, and 
• what action may be taken if Scheme requirements are not met.  

The guidance does not change the legal requirements of the Scheme. Instead, it explains how those requirements are applied in practice. 

The OFSC’s approach to compliance focuses on identifying safety issues early and working with companies to address them. Minor or isolated issues are managed through guidance and followup action, while more serious or repeated issues may result in formal conditions being placed on accreditation. Where there is a significant risk to health and safety, stronger action may be required. 

The guidance also provides greater transparency about how the OFSC responds to serious incidents which are reviewed and triaged based on risk. Depending on the circumstances, this may involve requesting further information, bringing forward or focusing an audit, or imposing conditions where risks are not being adequately managed. 

The OFSC encourages accredited companies to read the updated guidance below and contact the OFSC at ofsc@dewr.gov.au if they have questions about how it applies to them.