ACCORDING to the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU), recent legislative amendments by the Queensland Parliament will allow its Organisers to enter workplaces on health and safety grounds.
AMWU Organisers are support staff for union health and safety representatives. The amended 1995 Workplace Health and Safety Act will allow Organisers to inspect suspected H&S breaches and workplaces as well as hold meetings on matters related to H&S.
The union claims it has already trained all its Organisers and issued them permits to enter workplaces for H&S reasons.
Permit-holding Organisers can inspect plants, substances or objects relevant to a suspected breach, observe work being carried out, speak with members or eligible persons, speak with employers regarding breaches, and request production and copies of documents.
According to the union, the identity of workers who request an inspection or meeting with an Organiser will not be disclosed to employers. Employers who refuse to rectify breaches will be referred to the Workplace Health and Safety Queensland or the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission.
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