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SAFETY CRISIS
9 May 2006
The Quins munitions plant explosion near Gladstone has prompted SA Unions to call for an urgent overhaul of workplace safety standards in South Australia.
SA Unions Secretary, Janet Giles described South Australian workplaces as being in a health and safety crisis.
She says at least 4 people have died in industrial accidents over the past 24 days. Several others have been seriously injured including a construction worker who fell down a lift shaft on April 4, severing his spine and rendering him paraplegic.
"Our thoughts are with all those at Gladstone as they search for the two missing workers. We hope they avoid the awful fate of their deceased colleague and don't add to this terrible death toll," Ms Giles says.
"The shocking surge in industrial accidents makes me feel physically ill", Ms Giles says.
"I fear the situation will only worsen under the new federal industrial laws."
"With workers fearful of their jobs, they will be less likely to say no to unsafe work practices."
Ms Giles is calling on the state government to take urgent action to protect South Australian workers.
"This is not a time for hand wringing and media spin. We don't want regretful words; we want real action to stop these accidents happening."
"We have what is undeniably a health and safety crisis. These appalling accidents must stop. It requires tough action by the state government to bolster and enforce workplace safety standards."
"We deeply resent that we are unable to pursue tough industrial manslaughter laws, because the federal government has legislated against it. But that doesn't mean the state government is totally powerless to act. It can toughen our existing laws, ensure unions have the right to enter workplaces and step up their enforcement."
"We call on the SA Government to take immediate action, because the federal laws will only make matters worse," Ms Giles says. Safety Crisis Rally - 11 May 2006
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