457 visas, the "Big Australian" and the true costs...

[agro]

From what I have seen they also work very hard.They dont whine and complain either.A bit uneasy on where all this will lead though.

yes very true! asians r hard workers and queit intelligent!

but then you get your equal opportunities saying everyone should have a fair go etc..

this can lead into heaps of debates as you mentioned

 

[Scuba]

Thread was not about race/ creed/ colour/ religion...

It is about "457 visas, the "Big Australian" and the true costs..." IE workplace safety or the lack there of...

 

[Sprinter79]

No whistle signals, BUT no enforcement of radio comms... (What happens when radio dies, how does one request 300kg of weight from 20 metres with hand signals? )

Riggers are not allowed to wear a Leatherman/ Gerber/ Swiss... (Lashing and taglines? Boxes and cable ties? Stuck shackle pins? )

Heat stress training, but no follow up rules when someone is heat stressed... (Very serious stuff if left untreated...)

Sadly yours,
Scuba

The issue of communications is one this is covered by the general OHS legislation as well as the Mine Safety and Inspection legislation. It has been successfully argued that crane operators and the like act as isolated workers, and strong lines of communication need to be in place. It has also been suggested that those who have difficulty with the English language should not be in positions that rely on verbal communications.

As for the riggers.... we've had similar issues with cray fishermen and the like not being allowed to wear knives on their person incase of entanglement. The cops say that this becomes an issue of a concealed weapon, but it can be a matter of life and death.

Heat stress is a BIG issue. They should have policies in place, but they aren't worth the paper they're written on if they're not followed.

The trouble with many positions created as 'safety advisor' are just there in order to meet QA, and for the management to parade around when a) WorkSafe/WorkCover/DOIR rock up for an inspection; b) when the **** hits the fan, so the management are shielded from responsibility by someone with a Cert IV and whose only role is to remind staff to wear their safety helmets and earplugs.

 

[Scuba]

Too right Sprinter... "It's not what you do, it's how you look when you're doing it..."