ASU and OHS
Occupational Health and Safety is something many workers take for granted but the ASU believes is a core workplace issue. We think that all employers should show the same high standards of care towards their employees, but this is not always the case
John Nucifora is the National Industrial Officer responsible for occupational health and safety matters. He is the ASU representative on the ACTU OHS Committee. For further information, please contact John.
The current campaign: harmonisation
The ASU supports the establishment of harmonised national OHS laws as long as they do not result in a compromise or reduction of protections or standards for workers in any existing jurisdiction. The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has given repeated assurances that harmonisation will not result in a lesser system for anyone, but we are watching and scrutinising all stages of this process to ensure workers are protected.
You can download the unions' harmonisation submission here.
Timeline of OHS achievements
A fascinating time line showing OHS achievements since 1856 can be found here.
OHS campaign areas from recent years
- Don't Risk Second Rate Safety - OHS laws
- Workers' Compensation
- Occupational Cancer
- Nanotechnology
- Bullying - "Being bossed around is bad for your health"
- Stress at Work - "not what we bargained for"
- Work Strain Causes Real Pain
- And visit the ACTU site for the latest campaign
There is a range of OHS resources available at the ASUshop, many of which are free to ASU members:
General Fact Sheets
- Quick Facts About OH&S in Australia
- Trade Union Effect
- OH&S Blueprint
Issue Fact Sheet
Other useful websites
What have unions achieved in relation to occupational health and safety?
For over 160 years, unions have campaigned to reduce death, injury and illness at work. Many protections and rights we take for granted were fought for, and won by
unions.
Download the timeline for more information.
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