ETU Slams LNP's Sect 117 WHS Changes

ETU slams state government over sect 117 right of entry changes

They put profits before people and lives at risk

The Electrical Trades Union has come out swinging over the LNP state governments sect 117 health and safety right of entry changes. The union cited recent experiences at UGL/Powerlink sites at Mt Fox in North Queensland as an example of why immediate access is so important.

The example at Mt Fox is an all-too-common occurrence; while investigating suspected breaches of legislation at the site under sect 117 health and safety access rights, the union unearthed a catalogue of serious life-threatening breaches which UGL the main contractor sought to cover up.

ETU state organiser Lenny Lane said seeing firsthand how companies disregarded worker safety before the changes, gave a clear indication of how they will use the 24-hour notice requirements to hide breaches, cover up unlawful work and place workers lives at risk.

"We were made aware of suspected breaches from concerned workers, after performing our due diligence we turned up to site using our sect 117 provisions. What we found on the site was an obstructionist management, who tried to delay our investigations and hinder our access before we persisted to find life threatening breaches and workers being instructed to perform unlawful activities."

The breaches included, un-licenced workers being directed to perform electrical work, non-compliant and dangerous earths, UGL non-compliant with their own Safe Work Method Statements, an earth grid mat not earthed (electrocution risk), diesel spills, non-compliant site office, while UGL had no ability to respond to an incident with no remote first aiders on site and the only on-site medic's credentials found to be expired.

"We inspected three towers and unearthed serious breaches at every one of them, while on site we enquired about the licencing credentials of the 40 workers employed there, so far, we have only been given details of 10 workers confirmed to hold a Queensland electrical licence. This is unlicensed electrical work occurring on one of the Queensland governments own major projects, right under their nose." Mr Lane said.

ETU state assistant secretary Stuart Traill said the Mt Fox example was a clear indication as to why the union will continue to raise health and safety issues and highlight the government's failings.

"The government's jack boot demolition of union health and safety right of entry rights not only puts lives at risk, but it also sends a signal to companies like UGL and Powerlink to keep doing what they are doing, breaching laws and standards. The fundamental failure of the government and companies to keep workers safe means as always, trade unions and our right of entry will remain the last line of defence in the battle against unsafe work conditions."

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