Construction safety laws 20 years overdue: union
www.yahoo.com 2007-11-29
Unions NT says new workplace health and safety laws will significantly reduce the skills shortage in the construction industry.
President Alan Paton says the laws will not be an impediment to the Territory's construction industry. He says the changes are two decades overdue and will simply bring the Territory into line with other jurisdictions.
He says whilst the changes will not stop workplace accidents occurring, they could help save lives.
"We have had too many deaths in the Territory within the industry over the last four or five years. It's just not good enough. These laws actually make it more contemporary.
"Now they will be enshrined in law which is a great thing.
"We still feel that they didn't go far enough. We have been lobbying for industrial manslaughter legislation, recognition of the problems of stress related injuries and ah that will still be a concern for for workers in the Northern Territory and they're unions."
He says traditionally new tradesmen arriving in the Northern Territory from interstate have been shocked by the lack of safety regulations.
Mr Paton says the Territories new occupational health and safety laws will force all employers to honour they're duty of care.
(editor : jane)
