People around the world gather for International Worker’s Memorial Day today, remembering those killed or injured at work.
The Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) has called for urgent action, citing the fact transport workers have one of the highest workplace death rates of any industry.
Figures from Safe Work Australia tell a distressing story for transport workers; this year almost 40% of all workplace deaths involved transport workers, with 19 transport worker deaths out of a total of 51 workplace deaths.
Last year more than a third of workplace deaths involved transport workers, with 64 transport workers killed.
“The Federal Government bears responsibility for this increase in deaths,” said National Assistant Secretary Michael Kaine.
“A year ago the Government tore down this independent tribunal.
“Now transport workers are paying for this move with their lives.
“Now truck drivers are under more pressure to speed, drive long hours, skip mandatory breaks and overload their vehicles.”
National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) Chief Executive Officer Warren Clark says the tribunal may not have been the answer and suggests Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) changes could be the key to safety improvements.
“The establishment of the RSRT in 2012 was intended to promote safety in the road transport industry,” Mr Clark said.
“In fact, the very opposite occurred because the complex and controversial workings of the RSRT diverted owner-driver and other member attention away from the developments in the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) – the primary instrument governing road regulation and safety.
“The HVNL covers the major safety issues of speeding, fatigue and heavy vehicle maintenance.
“Compliance with this law is at the centre of improved road safety.
“The significant reforms introduced through the HVNL, including duties on parties in the chain of responsibility, need time to be properly implemented with education and appropriate enforcement.”
International Workers’ Memorial Day takes place around the world on April 28 each year – a day of international commemoration for those killed or injured on the job.