SAFETY BILL MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER - ANOTHER WORKER SERIOUSLY INJURED TODAY

26 September 2011

SA Unions says today's serious worker accident on a Bella Constructions housing site shows just how dangerous work can be - and how much we need improved work and safety laws.

Secretary, Janet Giles says a construction worker fell three floors down a lift shaft resulting in a broken hip, and head lacerations.

Ms Giles says South Australia urgently needs new laws including the right for workers to get their union's support on safety issues at work.

"We are urgently calling on the Liberal Opposition and the Upper House Independents' to support legislation currently before the Parliament which will strengthen South Australia's safety laws.  The Work Health and Safety Bill better protects working people, increases the fines for employers who disregard safety  and supports the rights of union officials to enter worksites to address safety issues."

CFMEU Assistant Secretary, Aaron Cartledge says the Housing Industry Association has been the strongest opponent of these new safety laws.

"Today's accident shows that this is a dangerous industry and safety must be taken seriously.  If we were able to check building sites before work started, we would have been able to check all the safety measures were in place and could have prevented this accident.  Now there is an injured worker with serious injuries who will need significant medical and WorkCover support."

Ms Giles says that if the legislation is passed, Australia will have nationally consistent workplace safety laws - something that will be good for business and good for workers.

"Yet despite three years of negotiation on these proposed new laws - and agreement by unions, employers and state and federal governments - the South Australian Liberal Party and its big business mages are trying to block them in Parliament."

"If this legislation doesn't succeed, South Australia risks having the lowest safety standards in the country - and increases the odds that more working South Australians will be injured and die on the job."

Ms Giles says that in the past year, ten people have died in their workplaces in South Australia and thousands more have been injured.

"What we want is simple - safer workplaces - so that no family ever has to go through the terrible tragedy of losing someone they love in a workplace accident."

"The South Australian Liberals must support this legislation - even their Liberal colleague NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell has supported this legislation, which includes union right of entry and a union right to prosecute over unsafe work practices."

"It's time to put safety first and politics second."