SA WORKERS DEMAND SAFER STANDARDS

1 September 2009

With the workplace death rate estimated to be at least 4 times higher than the road toll, South Australian workers are adding their voice to a national day of action for better safety standards.

SA Unions Secretary, Janet Giles says injury rates are even worse, with an injury serious enough to qualify for a workers' compensation claim occurring about every 2 minutes.

Ms Giles says workers want nationally consistent laws to protect their health and safety rights - but what's being proposed actually diminishes their protection.

"We want our State Minister Paul Caica to be the workers' champion by taking up their concerns with Canberra", Ms Giles says.

"We support one set of occupational health and safety laws, but not if they result in lower standards.  We are urging Mr Caica to support the strongest safety standards for our workers, and will keep the pressure up via petitions, letters and web campaigns."

Some industries are noted for their high level of danger - the construction sector has amongst the worst record of deaths and injury, with some employers practically getting away with murder.

The South Australian focus of the national day of action will take place at a construction site in the city (the old Academy Cinema complex, corner of Grenfell Street and Hindmarsh Square) where health and safety officers from all unions will meet at 12 noon for a sausage sizzle and to hear speakers.

Amongst the priorities for South Australia are the need for independence and protection of health and safety reps, the right for union officials to inspect worksites for safety breaches, and the right for unions to prosecute employers for breaches of safety laws.

National Campaign SA Action : Don't Risk 2nd Rate Safety, 1 September 2009.  Visit the Campaign website click here >>>...