The CFMEU has called for a full investigation into John Holland’s suitability to hold a Comcare licence and an investigation into safety on every one of their sites.

Souce: CFMEU – CFMEU call for full investigation into John Holland

CFMEU National Construction Secretary Dave Noonan said the revelations in The Australian today, regarding the deplorable safety standards on the Brisbane Airport Link site that commenced in 2008 and saw the tragic death of a worker, require a thorough investigation by all the regulatory authorities.

“John Holland is not some Johnny Come Lately in the industry. They are a major established company. One of their own executives at the time, Stephen Sasse, expressed concerns in writing to them about the unsafe conditions on the site and his concerns were not addressed,” he said.

“It’s a disgrace that senior management of a company like Holland can behave in this way and it’s in poor taste for them to say that safety is a priority for them in light of the tragic events on that job.”

Mr Noonan said that he was disgusted when he read the internal correspondence to senior management from Mr Sasse where Mr Sasse accuses Holland management of being ‘cavalier’.

“Here we have a situation where a senior executive is telling the management of Holland – a household name in this country – that he had ‘never seen any project or management team that so cavalier about the company’s OHS system, principles and values.’ “

Mr Noonan said in light of what is now on the public record, it was imperative that a thorough investigation is conducted into the John Holland company.

“A big question mark now hangs over their self insurance licence.”

Mr Noonan said that this case is an excellent example of why the Queensland Government’s intention to tighten ‘Right of Entry’ provisions and make it hard for unions to go on site and to investigate safety is the wrong approach.

“Our officials who work on the ground and are going on jobs every day know that the regulators are not able to adequately protect workers from unsafe situations.

“We are the ones who make the call because it’s our priority to look after the workers in the industry. Making it hard for us to go on site and do our job will lead to a deterioration of safety.”

Mr Noonan remarked that the Abbott Government which intends to spend millions setting up the ABCC in order to attack unions and try to weaken their ability to do their job might want to consider the story that has come out today.

“Rather than spend millions on a witch hunt against unions and construction workers, he might consider devoting some resources to preventing companies cutting corners that ultimately cost lives.”

Read Here: http://www.cfmeu.asn.au/news/cfmeu-call-for-full-investigation-into-john-holland

Police investigating a fatal crash involving a truck in Sydney’s south-west say other trucks belonging to the company have been found to have defects.

Source: ABCNews – Trucks found to have defects from company involved in fatal crash

A taskforce has been established after the incident near Campbelltown yesterday afternoon, in which one man travelling in a truck died and 14 other people were injured.

Inspector Phillip Brooks from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command says police are now investigating the entire fleet of the company that owned the truck.

He says it will take time to assess whether the truck involved in the crash was defective, but the initial results from the fleet are a concern.

“That truck involved is extensively damaged and is subject of a technical examination by both the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit, the police scientific branch and also the Roads and Maritime Service,” he said.

“However, the company is being directed to supply their trucks. Out of their fleet so far, six have been inspected. Five of those trucks have been identified with a range of defects.”

Read Here: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-04/trucks-found-to-have-defects-from-company-involved-in-fatal-cra/5134856

Injured Workers Support Network

Assisting and supporting Workers who have sustained

Work related injuries, illness and disabilities.

“Our mission is to assist and support workers and their families who have sustained work related injuries, illness and disabilities to rebuild their lives.”

Meeting Notice

Date: Tuesday 17th December 2013

Time: Between 11:30 am and 1:30pm

Venue: Trades Hall Council, L2-R3, Devonshire House, 406 King, Newcastle West, NSW 2302

Agenda

• Recap June 2012 NSW Workers Compensation reforms, discuss IWSN activities for 2013.
• Discuss IWSN strategies for 2014.
• IWSN group structure and how we can assist injured workers and their families.
• General business.

 

Important: Please RSVP by 16th December 2013 on  (02) 9749 7566  or by email: [email protected]

The O’Farrell Government has consistently treated psychological injuries as second class injuries under several of its recent legislative changes. This pattern suggests that there is a deep rooted ideology that views these injuries as less significant than physical injuries.

Source: David Shoebridge NSW Greens - Psychological injuries rated as second-class injuries under O’Farrell Government’s legislative changes

Watch David’s adjournment speech on compensation for physiological injuries here.

The transcript for his speech can be read here.

“ Among the first legislative onslaught was the Police Amendment (Death and Disability) Bill 2011. This bill introduced a retrospective scheme that savagely cut payments to injured police. The cuts hit injured police hard, but worst off were those who suffered a psychological injury.”

“It is not a small number of police. Policing in New South Wales is high stress and high risk, and approximately 80 per cent of police hurt on duty have suffered a psychological injury. The majority of them were partially, not totally, incapacitated by their injuries. Another 10 per cent of injured police suffered a combination of physical and psychological injury.”

“The next major cuts came with the Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment Bill 2012.”

“While various physical injuries can add up to qualify a worker as having 20 per cent or 30 per cent whole-person impairment, psychological injuries cannot be combined with physical injuries for the purposes of calculating impairment. The result is that psychological injuries are very rarely considered, despite the serious and ongoing impact that they may—indeed often do—have on an injured worker and on his or her ability to return to work.”

“The Orwellian-named Victims Rights and Support Bill 2013 was passed by this House on 30 May 2013. It made a series of changes that will leave almost all victims of crime worse off.”

“It is clear that as far as the O’Farrell Government is concerned, whether it is victims compensation, workers compensation or death and disability benefits, psychological injuries are second-class injuries. That is simply not good enough in the twenty-first century.”

Read Here: http://davidshoebridge.org.au/2013/11/28/psychological-injuries-rated-as-second-class-injuries-under-ofarrell-governments-legislative-changes/

New research has found the stress of working in busy commercial kitchens is driving apprentice chefs to drink.

Source: ABCNews  – Apprentice chefs turning to alcohol to cope with bullying and stress

The National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA) surveyed first-year apprentice chefs about their alcohol and drug use.

It found 65 per cent of respondents were drinking at dangerous levels, with researchers saying work stress, irregular hours and finishing late contributing to the problem.

Dr Ken Pidd from NCETA says verbal abuse and bullying are common.

“It becomes a fine line to what is deliberate bullying and what is part of the stress of service to where the chef turns around and starts yelling and screaming,” Dr Pidd said.

“We also did hear some horror stories of getting tongs heated up in hot oil then given to apprentices to pick up with their bare hands to teach them how to use the proper equipment, which we thought was quite horrific.”

Dr Pidd says 65 per cent are drinking more than five standard drinks up to three times a week.

“When they finish work they’re finishing at 12:00 or 1:00 in the morning and all the nightclubs and hotels are open, and the pressure is on them a little bit to drink very quickly to catch up with friends that they meet up with.

“But also because of the hours that they’re working, there’s a traditional wind down type of thing after the stress of service so that they’ll drink as a result of that.”

The study also found almost one-third of new chefs are smokers and about 20 per cent had smoked cannabis recently.

“Despite the fact that amphetamine use and cannabis use was relatively low compared [to the] 65 per cent risk of drinking, there are still very high prevalent rates compared to national averages,” Dr Pidd said.

“They’re two and three times as high as national averages.”

Workplace communication skills key to battling bullying

As part of the study, researchers ran a course for new chefs at a New South Wales TAFE on how to manage stress and bullying.

Dr Pidd says the lessons had encouraging results.

“[It] assisted them to improve their workplace communication skills so that they recognise what was bullying and what was normal work related stress – [to] come out and give them skills to deal with those issues,” he said.

“What we found was over a period of about four-to-five months we noticed this significant reduction in their stress levels, but also that they reported their ability to talk to their supervisors about issues they were having in the workplace also improved.”

The study revealed apprentice chefs in smaller kitchens are struggling more than those working in bigger kitchens.

Dr Pidd says it is up to the restaurants as well as the apprentices to learn to manage stress and bullying.

‘Work hard, play hard’ industry reputation

The head chef at the Statler and Waldorf restaurant in Brisbane, Andrew Tolley, agrees it is a high pressure industry.

“There’s a lot of new restaurants in the street so there’s a lot of pressure and a lot of competition,” he said.

“It’s the constant criticism and appraisal, not only from employers and customers, but also the social media aspect.

“Websites like Urban Spoon give people access to easy criticism.”

Mr Tolley says there is more recognition of the stresses in the industry than there used to be.

“I know younger chefs tend to try to party a bit more than the more mature experienced guys,” he said.

“As you grow older you learn more coping mechanisms.”

But he says some chefs still resort to substance abuse.

“Drugs and alcohol are certainly around in the industry – you get this ‘work hard, play hard’ reputation in the industry you have to hold up,” he said.

Mr Tolley says working in a smaller kitchen allows for more hands-on guidance for apprentices.

“Part of the fun of being a chef is that constant strive for perfection and constantly wanting to improve yourself as a person and your food,” he said.

“I try to look after and nurture my staff a bit more than just slogging them out for 14 hours a day – I try to give them time off if they need it.”

Read Here: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-25/stressed-chefs-turning-to-drink/5115116

Injured Workers Support Network

Assisting and supporting Workers who have sustained

Work related injuries, illness and disabilities.

“Our mission is to assist and support workers and their families who have sustained work related injuries, illness and disabilities to rebuild their lives.”

Meeting Notice

Date: Tuesday 10th December 2013

Time: Between 11 am and 1pm

Venue: UNIONS NSW, Level 2/20 Wentworth Street, Parramatta

Agenda

• Recap June 2012 NSW Workers Compensation reforms, discuss IWSN activities for 2013.
• Discuss IWSN strategies for 2014.
• IWSN group structure and how we can assist injured workers and their families.
• General business.

 

Important: Please RSVP by 09th December 2013 on  (02) 9749 7566  or by email: [email protected]

In March 2008, teenager Alec Meikle began a train-building apprenticeship he believed would ”start his journey through life”.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald -Alec Meikle killed himself after relentless bullying, inquest hears

But within three months, the 16-year-old had allegedly been subjected to such relentless, violent bullying by his new supervisor and workmates that the once ”happy, bubbly” youth had become ”a sad, round-shouldered boy”.

By October of that year, Alec had hanged himself with yellow rope from a staircase bannister.

The role the alleged bullying played in his death is a central focus of a coronial inquest taking place at Glebe Coroner’s Court this week.

The opening day of the inquest on Monday heard that, having left school at 16, Alec began an apprenticeship at the Bathurst premises of engineering company Downer EDI, an operation which builds an maintains trains for RailCorp.

The inquest heard that within three days of beginning his apprenticeship, Alec was regularly being called a ”f—’n useless c–t”.

Over the ensuing weeks the teenager was allegedly burnt with a welding torch, sprayed with adhesive and set on fire.

Several of his colleagues also allegedly threatened to anally rape him with a steel dildo.

Accompanying these incidents, the inquest heard, was near constant verbal abuse.

”He said the first day was fantastic, second day fantastic and then the abuse started,” Alec’s father, Richard Meikle told the inquest.

”And then it was ‘you useless f—n c–t, you useless c–t’. That was thrown at him every day.”

Mr Meikle said Alec told him the main perpetrator was his direct supervisor, Colin Wiggins, along with another colleague, Ben Eagle.

”He said because his supervisor was leading it, he didn’t have anyone standing up for him, anyone to talk to about it,” Mr Meikle said.

Alec’s parents began to notice he was becoming agitated and withdrawn. They said, initially, he refused to say what was going on but eventually opened up. ”He said, ‘dad, how many times would you want to hear the words you useless f—’n c–t day after day after day?”’ Mr Meikle said. ”He became a sad, round-shouldered boy.”

The bullying allegedly continued for three months, until May 2008 when Alec left the company.

Soon after, the teenager was diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression, and later, an adjustment disorder.

He was admitted to the mental health wing of Bathurst Hospital for short period and seemed to improve but, not long after being released, he attempted suicide in the family’s downstairs gym room.

”I’m a failure, I can’t even kill myself,” Alec reportedly told his parents after the suicide attempt.

Alec’s parents arranged for him to return to New Zealand – where the family had migrated from in 2002 – to live with his aunt and uncle and have further treatment.

But on the night of October 30, 2008 Alec’s aunt and cousin arrived home to find he had taken his life.

The inquest heard an internal investigation by Downer EDI found Alec had been subject to little or no supervision, instruction or training, and was given work above his level.

It also found he had been subjected to sarcasm, verbal abuse and put downs as well as the bullying incidents he reported.

A subsequent WorkCover investigation found that while the company had an anti-bullying policy, the alleged bullying behaviour had been allowed to ”manifest” during Alec’s apprenticeship.

The inquest continues.

Lifeline 13 11 14; Mensline 1300 789 978; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/alec-meikle-killed-himself-after-relentless-bullying-inquest-hears-20131202-2ylea.html#ixzz2mMAV9X5B

The ACTU calls on the Queensland Government to put the safety of workers first, not the money-making interests of their business mates.

Source: ACTU  – QLD Government bid to weaken safety laws is about protecting business interests

The Work Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2013 (QLD) – which will be considered by Safe Work Australia on Friday – calls for national laws that require unions to give 24 hours’ notice before entering a site and to remove the right of health and safety reps to call a cease work due to safety concerns.

ACTU Assistant Secretary Michael Borowick said, “What the Queensland Government seeks to do by removing the rights of trained workplace representatives is put all the onus on workers to identify, negotiate and resolve safety issues on their own. Not only is this unfair for workers but it’s dismantling a system that protects millions of people.”

“The Queensland Government will certainly make life easier for any business who wants to cut corners at the expense of workplace safety.

“All this will do is put workers at risk.”

“Expecting workers to individually speak up about their safety concerns will ultimately mean that many will not speak up or could lose their job if they do. Some workers won’t be willing or able to put their hands up and complain, especially if they are in casual work.”

“Furthermore workers don’t always have the necessary training to identify any danger and even if they do, approaching employers about the issue requires negotiation and dispute resolution.”

Mr Borowick said forcing unions to give 24 hours’ notice before visiting a workplace where suspected safety breeches are occurring would take pressure off employers to ensure workplaces are always safe.

“It defies logic that anyone serious about health and safety could accept that the giving of notice is a good idea. The surprise element of safety inspections keep employers alert and motivated to do the right thing.”

He also said the bid by the Queensland Government to remove the right of safety officers to call for a “cease work” due to safety confirmed they were only interested in protecting the interests of business.

“These changes will not help workers, particularly those in dangerous industries like construction and manufacturing, because it dismantles safety structures and tells workers to look out for themselves.”

“If the Queensland Government really has a problem with the laws they should wait for the national OHS law review in 2016, not respond with knee-jerk laws to make their business mates happy.”

Read Here: http://www.actu.org.au/Media/Mediareleases/QLDGovernmentbidtoweakensafetylawsisaboutprotectingbusinessinterests.aspx

Operations at a mine in the New South Wales Hunter Valley have shut down after a contractor was crushed to death by a coal truck.

Source: ABCNews – Worker killed at mine after vehicle run over by coal truck

Emergency crews were called to Glencore’s Ravensworth open cut mine near Singleton just before midnight on Saturday (AEDT).

A spokesman for the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) says preliminary investigations indicate the trainee pulled out from a give-way sign onto the mine’s haulage road and her vehicle was run over by a fully laden coal truck.

Glencore says the woman was killed when her four-wheel drive collided with a dump truck.

The truck driver was taken to Singleton Hospital suffering shock.

All operations at the mine have been shutdown while police and NSW Government mine inspectors investigate the incident.

The CFMEU also has representatives on site.

In a statement Glencore says its “primary concern is for the safety, care and welfare of our employees and we are providing all possible support for the families of the people involved”.

Staff at the mine are also being offered counselling.

The state’s Minister for Resources, Chris Hartcher, says a full and detailed report is being prepared for the coroner.

“I would like to personally extend my condolences to the families, co-workers and employers of those involved in this tragic accident,” he said in a statement.

Read Here: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-01/worker-killed-at-hunter-valley-coal-mine/5127356

The Transport Workers Union says workplace health and safety officials should investigate all trucking fatalities.

Source: ABCNews - Union urges workplace safety probe into all trucking deaths

Assistant secretary Scott Connolly says currently only police investigate crashes involving trucks, like Monday’s fatal rollover at Kogan.

However, he says only workplace health and safety officials can provide a more thorough investigation.

“These accidents are treated as road accidents as opposed to workplace accidents and so they don’t get the full scrutiny of the workplace health and safety authorities that is required to actually start really making improvements in the state of fatality rates in our industry and on our highways,” he said.

He says police investigations do not look into the driver’s history or workplace pressures.

“Who was the load allocator, who didn’t check the driver’s log book and realise he worked 14 hours or 12 hours before he’d gone out and done that extra six, seven, eight-hour trip?

“So there’s some fundamental mechanisms that health and safety laws have in place that aren’t applied to these accidents.”

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland says it investigates transport crashes that have a work-related component.

Read Here: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-27/union-urges-workplace-health-and-safety-officials/5119202