Australian Dental Industry Association members are invited to provide feedback into the review of the NSW Radiation Control Act 1990.

The consultation process for the review of NSW’s radiation control legislation is being undertaken by the NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).

Discover more about the review by clicking this link:

https://yoursay.epa.nsw.gov.au/radiation-control-act-review

Stakeholders have until Monday 20 September 2021 to comment on an issues paper for the consultation.

The NSW Government is reviewing the Act to ensure its objectives are still valid and the terms of the Act are able to secure those objectives.

The Act regulates radioactive substances and equipment in New South Wales, to ensure that radiation is used, stored and disposed of safely.

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has responsibilities under the Act, including issuing licences to manage or use radioactive substances and equipment, and regulating radiation practices in NSW.

The EPA has developed an Issues Paper as part of the review of the Act, in consultation with the Radiation Advisory Council and NSW government agencies. The Issues Paper will help individuals and organisations to provide submissions on the review of the Act.

Matters addressed in the Issues Paper include:

• Policy objectives of the Act
• Authorisation of radiation practices
• Security of radioactive sources
• Enforcement provisions
• Radiation Advisory Council

The Issues Paper can be accessed at https://yoursay.epa.nsw.gov.au/radiation-control-act-review, where you may complete a survey or make a submission.

The consultation is open until 20 September 2021.

If you would like to discuss the review or have any questions, please contact Mr Mark Carey, EPA Principal Policy Officer on 9995 5737 or email radiation.reform@epa.nsw.gov.au

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry's (ACCI) Workplace Relations and WH&S team have prepared a comprehensive guide for employers on COVID-19 Vaccinations and the Workplace.

The guide is designed to answer questions about the vaccine roll-out and mandating the vaccine in the workplace.

ACCI's new guide, COVID-19 Vaccinations and the Workplace - Edition 1 sets out how employers can participate in the vaccine roll-out and how to navigate issues related to vaccinations that may arise in the workplace, including the mandating of vaccines.

The following topics are covered in detail:

• Communicating with employees about the COVID-19 vaccine, including tips, information and downloadable employer resources;
   
• Assisting employees to get vaccinated, including guidance around promotions and giveaways as well as details around any potential liabilities employers may be exposed to when encouraging, promoting or mandating the vaccine in the workplace;
   
• Employment and work health and safety law vaccine workplace considerations, including details around implementing a COVID-19 vaccination policy, general workplace relations issues that may arise in relation to COVID-19 vaccinations, the COVID-19 vaccinations in the workplace and dealing with workplace disputes regarding COVID-19 vaccinations;
   
• Vaccines and privacy law, including how employers can sight, collect, use and disclose information about an employee vaccination status in line with Privacy Act obligations; and
   
• Work health and safety, including ongoing obligations and steps employers can take to reduce the risks related to COVID-19 in the workplace. 

The COVID-19 Vaccinations and the Workplace Guide is a working document and will be updated, with new editions, as new information comes to light and legal determinations are made.

Click here to download the guide

As you are aware the ADIA has worked closely with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) over the past 18 months on the development of the personalised medical devices framework.

On Monday the TGA announced a number of options for refining the framework that were identified as a result of the public consultations held over the last few months.

The ADIA advocated for a number of options to be considered in the development of the framework which included:

1. A review of Class 1 and Class IIa devices with a view to excluding very low risk products from Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) inclusion.
2. Continuing to include raw materials and components that are used to make medical  devices in the ARTG.
3. Maintaining a level playing field for all manufacturers of medical devices.
4. The ADIA suggested implementing a templated process to achieve a QMS system to reduce costs for the small laboratories and manufactures which was highlighted in a Risk Statement submitted by the ADIA in the initial consultation process.

In today's announcement the TGA have advised that: 

1. A limited number of low risk devices would be excluded from being considered to be medical devices.
2. Raw materials and components would stay on the ARTG.
3. The person assembling the low risk device would not need to include the device in the ARTG. 
4. The person assembling the device, including if they are a healthcare practitioner, will still need to meet all other regulatory requirements for medical devices.

An overview of these legislative instruments and their impact can be found on the TGA website.

What is required now?

If you manufacture or supply a product that has been included in the excluded goods determination, you do not need to register for transition or include the device in the ARTG.

If you have already registered a product that has been included in the excluded goods determination you are not required to take any further action.

Please Note:

If companies reacted to the TGA email re removing items from the ARTG before June 30 by deleting those entries, the ADIA will work with the TGA on the process for reinstating those entries.

Please reach out to the ADIA with a summary of how many ARTG entries were cancelled, and also advise on any applications rejected on the basis of the TGA position on raw materials, that will now need to be resubmitted

The NSW Government has extended the current lockdown in Greater Sydney until the end of September and introduced new rules targeting the 12 local government areas (LGAs) of concern.

Areas of concern include: Bayside, Blacktown, Burwood, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool, Parramatta, Penrith and Strathfield.
 

Additional rules for the LGAs of concern from today, Monday, 23 August, 2021.

Curfews will be introduced from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM (except for authorised workers, emergencies, or medical care).

New restrictions around workplaces and authorised workers from the LGAs of concern will be introduced:

• Authorised workers who work outside their LGA of concern are only permitted to work if rapid antigen testing is implemented at their work-site or they have had their first vaccination dose by 30 August.
• From Saturday, 28 August, authorised workers from the LGAs of concern are required to carry a permit from Service NSW declaring that they are an authorised worker and cannot work from home.
• From Saturday, 28 August, anyone entering an LGA of concern for the purposes of work must carry a worker permit issued by Service NSW.
   

Additional measure for Greater Sydney and regional NSW

From Monday, 23 August, mask wearing will be mandatory when outside your home, except when exercising for Greater Sydney (including regional NSW until 28 August).

Further information about the new measures can be found on the Business Australia website.