NSW traffic controllers campaign

Date: 29 June 2010

Traffic controllers across NSW are calling for more awareness of the hazards and risks they face and the need for their union, the traffic control companies and the State Government to work together.

“ Union officials in the Hunter and Illawarra regions are in coming days and weeks  talking with traffic controllers about the hazards they face as we seek to implement accreditation programs to protect workers,” Paul Howes, AWU National Secretary, said today.

AWU win in Queensland can be translated to NSW

“ Right now we’ve got a dozen organisers out on the road getting more information from traffic controllers, to ask them their views about OHS standards on the job so we can campaign for specific improvements for the Hunter and Illawarra regions.”

The AWU has had a big win in Queensland with the introduction of a strict new registration scheme for traffic control companies to raise the bar and improve the safety of traffic controllers on that state’s busiest  roads.  In Queensland in the last five years there have been six deaths and 22 serious injuries.

“ To get changes we need Hunter and Illawara workers input – we need their examples, their case studies for our campaign. Later the campaign will spread to other parts of NSW..

  “ Unfortunately, unlike in some other states,  there are not very good statistics kept  on the number of deaths and serious injuries related to this industry – we will need to get that changed if we are to win improvements in NSW.

Exposedto heavy fumes and toxic dusts which are cancer risks

“ Apart from the obvious road hazards for traffic controllers to do with traffic, speed and heavy machinery many of these workers are exposed to chemical fumes, toxic dusts which are cancer risks, noise and constant harassment from the public.

“ A powerful approach might be for the AWU to work with its membership to insist on the appointment of an AWU-trained OHS representative as a roving OHS spotter so that we can have more eyes on the job – otherwise more fatalities, injuries and near misses are going to continue,” Paul Howes said.

For further information

Contact:	Paul Howes
Union:	AWU National Secretary
WWW:	http://www.awu.net.au/

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