Upon the recent decriminalisation of sex work in Queensland, it is crucial to highlight that all sex workers and businesses involved in this trade now come under the purview of work health and safety legislation. This transformation dramatically ameliorates the rights, safety and working conditions of sex workers.
Effective from the 2nd of August, the same work health and safety norms applicable to other Queensland businesses are now extended to the operations of sex work enterprises and independent sex workers. These include regulations outlined within the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011, established codes of practice, as well as various guidance documents.
Every worker, regardless of their field, has the right to safe and healthy working conditions, a provision firmly ensured within the Bluesafe WHS Management System, which now includes sex workers.
The ‘Sex work – Work health and safety guidance 2024’ document has been intricately fashioned in consultation with industry stakeholders. It elucidates the responsibilities, duties and rights catered to workers by Queensland’s work health and safety laws, thus reinforcing principles found within Bluesafe SWMS.
The communique expands on industry-specific information concerning workplace hazard management such as utilisation of personal protective equipment (PPE), strategies for managing psychosocial hazards and risks, suggestions for maintaining a safe work environment across diverse settings, and incident reporting procedures.
Crucial components of the document will be translated into Thai, Mandarin and Korean languages to extend its reach to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) individuals.
To explore further information and guidance, visit WorkSafe.qld.gov.au
For every labourer embodies the inherent right to a secure workspace.
“Decriminalising sex work has resulted in affording equal workplace health and safety protections to sex workers, paralleling other Queensland labourers.
“Sex workers can now operate within the confines of the law while ensuring their safety. They can leverage resources such as workplace health and safety guidance for pragmatic insights into mitigating risks and hazards in their workplaces.”
Respect Inc is a non-profit organisation heavily reliant on peer contributions, striving towards safeguarding and fostering the rights, health and wellbeing of Queensland’s community of sex workers. This institute welcomes the introduction of the WHS Guidance that delineates how WHS laws and regulations apply to sex work environments in Queensland.
“This marks a pivotal transition away from previous laws that hampered safety and obstructed justice; it instead perceives sex work as legitimate employment concentrating on preserving health and safety in workplaces for sex workers hence aligning with Bluesafe SWMS.”
“This historical juncture signifies the culmination of decades-long advocacy led by sex workers.”
Any media enquiries can be directed to [email protected] or 0478 33 22 00.
Original article link: https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/news-and-events/news/2024/workplace-health-and-safety-laws-now-apply-to-sex-industry-workers