THE Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has continued the fight to increase the duty of care imposed on employers in the harmonised national occupational health and safety laws.
The unions stand against the Stein Report’s recommendations for the “reasonably practicable” clause to be included in the law. They are pushing for a stricter “absolute” duty of care for employers.
They are also opposed to the swapping of OHS and compensation schemes, claiming this will allow employers to avoid their responsibilities and obligations.
According to the ACTU, employers are trying to “reduce workers rights to the worst OHS law in Australia”. It says it is pushing for the laws to give workers various rights.
These include the right to a safe and healthy working environment, a right to know what hazards they are exposed to, a right to refuse unsafe work, and a right to be involved in and negotiate how hazards are identified, assessed, eliminated or controlled monitored and reviewed at work.
It fears workers will be disadvantaged by the new laws. It has launched an online petition which will appeal to the lawmakers.

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