Significant Developments in Occupational Health and Safety in Australia's Construction Industry

Abstract

Construction is Australia's third most dangerous industry. On average, 49 building and construction workers have been killed at work each year since 1997–1998. Securing safer construction workplaces is jeopardized by an Australian government bent on removing union influence. Workers must prove their individual health and safety is at risk or face fines of up to 22,000 over work stoppages. The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry view is that occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation is overly complex and biased unfairly against the employer. Significant advances in OHS achieved by construction unions working together with employers and government authorities are now at risk, to the detriment of workers.

Keywords:

• construction industry
• unions
• Australia
• legislation
• occupational health and safety