WA's Mayman to review OHS laws

Western Australian Industrial Relations Commissioner Stephanie Mayman will join a three-person panel, created to conduct a review that could lead to the harmonisation of workplace laws across the country.

The federal government says it wants to work cooperatively with state and territory governments to harmonise occupational health and safety (OHS) laws within five years.

The other members of the panel are Freehills lawyer Barry Sherriff and Robin Stewart-Crompton, a former chief executive of the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission, who will chair the panel.

Workplace Relations Minister Julia Gillard said the review was a significant step towards making harmonisation of OHS laws a reality.

"Robin Stewart-Crompton and his team will review OHS legislation in each state, territory and commonwealth jurisdiction for the purpose of making recommendations on the optimal structure and content of a model OHS Act to apply nationally," Ms Gillard said.

The panel will consult with a broad range of stakeholders and submit its final report to the Workplace Relations Ministers' Council by the end of January 2009.