At the 2006 VTHC OHS Reps Seminar, Professor Michael Quinlan confirmed what many unions and workers have been saying - 'WorkChoices' is bad for occupational health and safety of workers.In his very lively, though scary, presentation, he said that a lack of unfair dismissal protection for firms with fewer than 100 employees and prohibited content under 'WorkChoices' are factors that are beginning to negatively affect OHS.
The impact of 'WorkChoices' facilitates job insecurity and workers who feel insecure are less likely to speak up about OHS. "The likely adverse effects of WorkChoices will be lower wages, more pressure, less job satisfaction and worsening OHS outcomes in terms of injuries, disease, stress and occupational violence,' Professor Quinlan said.
Other adverse effects include weakening of award protections such as rest breaks and decollectivisation or deunionisation. Professor Quinlan told of a small factory that in March of this year sacked its whole workforce for being 'troublemakers'. "The employer brought in a new workforce who were relatively young and inexperienced. There was inadequate PPE and no MSDSs for the very hazardous workplace work processes. Workers said they were covered with toxic substances even though they should not have had contact with the skin. The safety showers were inoperative." OHS reps eveerywhere were reporting that one of the most serious issues they had to deal with at their workplaces now was the fear about raising OHS issues. "They've told me stories about victimisation when OHS concerns have been raised. I believe WorkChoices will make it much worse," Professor Quinlan said.
Download Professor Quinlan's powerpoint presentation, and two articles he has recently written on OHS issues in the 'new' workplace.