From 1 January 2012, Queensland will have new WHS laws as part of a national system (although not all states have signed up at this stage). The new laws do not make wholesale changes to the existing system but there are some important features to be aware of:

1. There is a broader primary duty on every person conducting a business or undertaking to take all reasonably practicable steps to maintain a safe workplace (but it is not a strict duty to ensure a safe workplace);
2. This broad duty rests on employers, self employed persons, principal con.......