Today's emphasis on the enterprise bargaining process must be seen as an
opportunity for organisations to further develop occupational health and
safety standards at work. In particular, this shift from a centralised
industrial relations system to employer, employee bargaining, presents
organisations with an excellent opportunity to develop OH & S at the
`shop floor' level. This is despite real difficulties in presenting hard data
on the cost benefits. Unfortunately, examination of enterprise agreements ratified by the
Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC), show that less than
32 per cent contain provision for occupational health and safety. Those
addressing the issues of occupational health and safety have included
segments such as: rehabilitation activities; a new emphasis for workplace occupational health and safety
committees; formalising procedures related to hazard identification and control;
the use of personal protective clothing; and occupational hygiene and health monitoring issues. For example, an enterprise agreement reached between CIG-Gases and
their unions, included clauses which commit employees to attending ten
safety meetings and two work place inspections each year, in order for
them to receive any further pay rises.