The contribution that safety and health representatives make to safety performance in the workplace has long been recognised by the mining sector, which has continued its commitment over the past 20 years or so.
This commitment has assisted the industry to maintain its leadership role despite the pressure of an increased and often untrained workforce.
The Commission for Occupational Safety and Health Annual Report for 2010-11 provides clear evidence of this commitment with its data on the Accredited Training of Safety and Health Representatives.
The Report is required reading for a wide range of people, perhaps more so for OHS professionals.
Some selected data follows:
Introductory Training by Industry 2010-11
Industry Reps trained per 1,000 workers
|
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
|
3.0
|
|
Construction
|
3.2
|
|
Education
|
4.2
|
|
Health and Community Services
|
5.6
|
|
Manufacturing
|
2.0
|
|
Mining
|
26.5
|
|
Retail Trade
|
.6
|
Introductory Training by Industry 2004-05 to 2010-11
|
Industry
|
Trained in 2004/05
|
Trained in 2010/11
|
Increase[Decrease]
|
|
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
|
58
|
125
|
67
|
|
Construction
|
193
|
381
|
188
|
|
Education
|
234
|
345
|
111
|
|
Health and Community Services
|
452
|
640
|
188
|
|
Manufacturing
|
247
|
207
|
[40]
|
|
Mining
|
807
|
1551
|
744
|
|
Retail Trade
|
110
|
86
|
[24]
|
It is difficult to understand why this key data is not being used to encourage industry sectors, whose performance falls well below that of the mining sector, to commit to the training of employees who can play such an important, positive role in improving workplace safety and health.
Initiatives by responsible Government Ministers and statutory bodies responsible for the health and safety of the workforce could assist in the rectification of this glaring deficiency.
On the other hand, the mining sector should be applauded for its continuing commitment at a time when it is under pressure on most fronts.