Don't Have Blood on Your Hands - Stand up for Work Safety, MPs Warned
South Australian unions say State Parliament cannot delay for one day longer planned new laws on workplace safety.

SA Unions State Secretary, Janet Giles says the much-delayed Work Health and Safety Bill is now back before the Parliament, and needs to become law as soon as possible.

"Every day there is a delay in getting this legislation through, we run the risk of more people being injured at work."

"These planned new laws have been the subject of debate and consultation for three years." ...media release 29/2/12

Liberals Must Rethink Stance on New Safety Laws after City Building Accident
SA Unions says the Liberal Opposition's delays to the new Work Health and Safety Bill are seriously endangering people's safety, after a devastating workplace accident ... media release 2/12/11

Work Health and Safety Bill - More Important Than Ever
The serious work accident on a Bella Constructions housing site on 26 September shows just how dangerous work can be - and how much we need the new nationally consistent workplace safety laws.

Today's accident shows how dangerous the industry is and that safety must be taken seriously, however the SA Liberal Party and its bug business mates are trying to block the new laws in Parliament, despite three years of negotiation ... media release 26/9/11 

WHS Bill - Libs Walk Away from Injured South Australians
SA Unions says the Liberal Party is abandoning working South Australians by not supporting planned new worker safety legislation.

These planned new nationally consistent laws will cut red tape by ensuring the same safety laws apply right across the country, but the Liberal Party is opposing the right of entry for union officials to inspect worksites for safety issues ... read on [15/9/11]

Another SA Worker Tragically Dies
A week after International Workers Memorial Day another SA worker tragically dies at work.  Our deepest sympathies go out to this man's loved ones as no family should have to face what they are going through.

In light of this tragic accident at work SA Unions asks where is the new Minister for Industrial Relations commitment to better safety on the job?  The Minister yesterday pulled the new worker safety legislation which has been the subject of two years worth of consultation from Parliament.  Pulling this Bill from the Parliamentary schedule will delay the passage of laws in SA that strengthen our legislation and allow for better prevention of accidents ... read on [5/5/11]

International Workers Memorial Day - Thursday 28 April 2011
A non-denominational service to commemorate International Workers Memorial day was held on Thursday 28 April at 10.30 am at The Pilgrim Church, 12 Flinders Street, Adelaide.

According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), across the world:

• Each year, more than two million women and men die as a result of work-related accidents and diseases
• Workers suffer approximately 270 million occupational accidents each year, and fall victim to some 160 million incidents of work-related illnesses
• Hazardous substances kill 440,000 workers annually – asbestos claims 100,000 lives
• One worker dies every 15 seconds worldwide. 6,000 workers die every day. Work kills more people than wars

Rann Government Treating Injured Workers Like Bikie Gangs
The Full Bench of the Supreme Court will today 8/12/10 be hearing a case which challenges WorkCover for taking away the legal rights of injured workers.  Under the Rann government's changes if you challenge a decision of WorkCover, they take away your benefits.  SA Unions says the Government are in a sense treating injured South Australian workers as if they are members of bikie gangs ... read on 8/12/10

Asbestos Awareness Day
At the memorial for asbestos awareness day the following message was voiced by Janet Giles, Secretary SA Unions.

The dreadful legacy of asbestos in Australia - personified by hero victims like Bernie Banton - gives rise to why we must take a leading role in eradicating this toxic substance worldwide. 

While we have come a long way towards achieving justice for victims and trying to remove this lethal substance form our environs, we know there are many victims of past exposure yet to develop symptoms.  South Australia has the world's highest per capita incidence of disease such as mesothelioma, for which there is no cure.  We must remain vigilant against the threat of people being exposed to remnant asbestos as it means victims will continue for generations. ...read on

Employers Must Take Safety Responsibilities Seriously
The recent focus on worker deaths due to unsafe workplaces should serve as a wake up call to employers that they must take their safety responsibilities seriously ....>> read on

Safety Sacrificed to Building Pressures and Bad Laws
The construction union says safety on large South Australian building sites has arguably plunged in recent weeks, despite the death of a worker at the desalination plant.

CFMEU Assistant Secretary, Darren Roberts says it's extraordinary that despite all the outcry and publicity surrounding the desal tragedy that similar accidents have occurred across the city....>> read on

Remembering the Killed and Injured Vital for Safer Workplaces
International Workers Memorial Day this year focused on the fight for the highest possible safety standards, which are in danger of going backwards under national "harmonisation" plans.  The push for consistent national standards risks South Australia's Occupational Health and Safety laws being eroded to a lowest common denominator model... Read on>>

SA Campaign - Don't Risk 2nd Rate Safety
Australia has a chance to have the same Occupational Health & Safety laws in every state and territory around the country that protect workers with the world’s best safety standards.

But proposed new laws lower safety standards and put Australian workers at risk.

....>> click here for more information

OHS Links
SafeWork SA (including Asbestos Safety Action Plan 2008) - www.safework.sa.gov.au
VTHC OHS Reps @ Work  - www.ohsrep.org.au
Asbestos Diseases Society of SA Inc - www.adssa-inc.com.au
Asbestos Victims Association - www.avasa.asn.au
ACTU - OHS Campaign - www.actu.asn.au/OccupationalHealthSafety
Asbestos Awareness : ACT Government - www.asbestos.act.gov.au
LabourStart : www.labourstart.org
Building, Asbestos and Industry - www.cartercorporation.com.au
For the Home Renovator - www.asbestosandyou.com.au
For Asbestos Information - www.asbestosinfo.com.au