b'OTHER LEGISLATION CHANGESSEXUAL HARASSMENTPREVENTION PLANSWhen: 1st March 2025 identify the matters considered in determining thecontrol measures;Key Changes:describe the consultation undertaken inEffective from 1 March 2025, businesses that operate in developing the prevention plan;Queensland have a new duty under the Work Health be set out in a way that is readily accessible andand Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld) with regard to sexual understandable to workers; andharassment, or sex or gender-based harassment. set out the procedure for dealing with reports ofunsafe conduct.PCBUs must also ensure the prevention plan isWhat it is:accessible to workers and that they know its contentThis duty requires the development and and how to access it.implementation of a prevention plan to After preparing and implementing a prevention plan,address identified risks associated with sexual PCBUs have a duty in which they must review theharassment. prevention plan every 3 years, or sooner, if:Businesses that fail to prepare a prevention there is a report of sexual harassment or sex orplan can face financial penalties if an gender-based harassment at work; oremployee makes a sexual harassment claim. a health and safety committee requests a review.Penalties:PCBUs can face separate fines up to $9,678 for each ofOn 1 September 2024, the Queensland Parliament the following breaches:passed the Work Health and Safety (Sexual Harassment) not preparing a prevention plan;Amendment Regulation 2024 (Qld) (Amendment). The not implementing a prevention plan: andAmendment requires persons conducting a business or not informing workers about the prevention plan orundertaking (PCBU) to identify and manage risks related undertaking reviews when prescribed.to sexual harassment in their workplaces. Resources:The Amendment now explicitly requires PBCUs to Luckily, Worksafe QLD provides a range of guides andconsider relevant matters when determining what templates to assist employers to implement effectivecontrol measures are to be implemented to address the plans, visit www.worksafe.qld.gov.au or use these links:risks arising from sexual and sex or gender-based Guide for PCBUsharassment. Managing the risk of sexual harassment and sex orWhere risks are identified, from 1 March 2025, the gender-based harassment at work - prevention planRegulation imposes a new duty to prepare and templateimplement a prevention plan to manage those identified Sexualharassmentpreventionplantemplatewithrisks. exampleSexualharassmentandsexorgender-basedThe Plan harassment fact sheet for PCBUsSexual harassment Regs 2024 comms kitA prevention plan must:be in writing;state each identified risk;identify control measures for each risk;Page | 17 IR Update July 2025'