The WA Safety Show takes place from August 24 to 26 at the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre.

Free workshops on the new harmonised OHS legislation will be held daily at the WA Safety Show from August 24 to 26 at the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre.

Held by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA (CCIWA), the workshops will assist employers to meet their obligations under the new legislation.

CCIWA's Anne Bellamy says the workshops will "concentrate on the practical implementation of the new laws. In particular, we will provide information on many of the day-to-day requirements of the new model act".

The peak employer group says that despite the WA government's opposition to some non-core areas in the harmonised Model Work Health and Safety Act, the state's employers and those running businesses or undertakings face sweeping changes to workplace safety under the new Act.

In daily seminars at the show, OHS lawyer and Norton Rose partner Maria Saraceni will explain the legislation due to take effect on January 1, 2012 and says there are only four areas that will distinguish WA's OHS legislation from the national model act. Penalties will be increased but will remain lower than in other states; safety and health representatives will not be able to call a stop-work; union right of entry will be dealt with under industrial law; and the reverse burden of proof in discrimination matters will not be introduced.

"As with the national model act, officers in WA will have a positive duty of care to exercise due diligence to ensure that their corporation complies with its statutory obligations. That's the biggest change that harmonisation will bring in Western Australia," says Saraceni.

"It's a change of mindset - you'll need to become pro-active about safety and be able to demonstrate what it is you have done in meeting your new obligations. The next 18 months until the new laws are implemented will be essential to allow you to adopt the new approach necessary to help you meet your obligations."