Comments on: OHS as an industrial relations tool

By: V V Mahesh Kumar

V V Mahesh Kumar — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 00:39:54 +0000

Unions are required to represent and fight for the rights of workmen for safety, welfare and other issues. History of start of trade union movement amply supports this.The trouble starts when OHS issues are raised with hidden agenda. The intentions which are clear to both parties on the table but may not be known to workers at large, demand comes for regulation of unions for entry in to work place.
This will not augur well for both the workers and their employers. Employers too should remember that there will not be smoke without fire and whatever OHS issues are raised, should have been discussed in regular meetings and addressed immediately. If the focus of managements is solely on production/work completion, it is likely that they allow unsafe conditions to exist.
It is not possible for regulators to visit every site as and when a demand arises about OHS issues for many reasons including shortage of man power. However, when they find recurring issues during their periodical inspections, suitable action can be taken for recurrence of safety lapses. Recurrence of lapses indicate hollowness from employers in their commitment to safety and stern action is needed. When unions raise OHS issues, a meeting may be arranged by industrial relations officer of the factory, between unions and specific workplace in-charge to discuss and prepare action plan for implementation within a time frame. If required, both can visit the place and take stock of the situation. Even after this, still problems persist, OHS regulator can be approached who should recommend appropriate action on employer/unions depending upon his assessment.

By: Col Sullivan

Col Sullivan — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 09:15:21 +0000

I have seen first hand the tactics employed by the CFMEU. Twice they raised so called ohs concerns on a multi million dollar project i\’m working on so we called Worksafe in both times to be an arbiter. Both times Worksafe found we had complied fully with the Act and Regs. The whole thing stemmed from the CFMEU wanting a shop steward to be employed by the project. The CFMEU members made up just over 4 percent of the workforce. Make of that what you may. Dont forget the secondary boycotts they employ with Boral cement trucks springing to mind.

By: Humphrey Hollins

Humphrey Hollins — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 12:02:31 +0000

There is no doubt that the unions have been abusing their rights. However we never hear the other side of the story with builders caring nothing for the welfare of workers. Far too many deaths in Australia already this year and do employers care- no. The recent death of the young kiwi in WA, working alone at night in a crusher with live wires makes me very sad. Will anyone go to jail for killing this boy? No!
The Abbott opposition bashed Labor about the deaths in the pink batts debacle mercilessly. Now they are in government are they being pro active on health and safety? Of course not, they are shysters.