UNIONS say the NSW government is trying to lower the state’s occupational health and safety standards by reducing the duty of care required of employers in the nationalised system.
A leaked copy of the Stein report from the NSW government is said to recommend a cut to standards, adopting rules in which employers’ duty applies “where reasonably practicable”.
NSW is currently the state with the nation’s highest standards, requiring an “absolute” duty of care on the part of employers to provide health and safety at work.
The unions are also critical of the Premier’s decision to submit the Stein report to the federal government panel without consulting with unions or businesses. They fear any reduction in the absolute duty of care would weaken the rates of success in prosecuting employers for breaching safety laws in cases of death and serious injury.

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