Media release: 25 September 2003
Minister confirms smoky workplaces are harmful and illegal
Trade
union and health leaders have called on state and territory governments to
direct Workcover authorities to take action against smoky workplaces under
occupational health and safety laws.
The
call from the SmokeFree ’03 coalition comes after letters from Victoria’s
Health Minister and Workcover CEO confirming that under OH&S laws,
secondhand tobacco smoke is harmful and employees are entitled to be protected
by its removal from workplaces.
Victorian
Health Minister Bronwyn Pike MP wrote recently to an ALP branch on the issue of
smoke bans in licensed premises, confirming that under existing law, “an
employer has a responsibility to ensure that employees are not exposed to the
dangers of passive smoke.”
This
was confirmed in a letter from Mr Greg Tweedly, Chief Executive of Workcover
Victoria, stating that the authority’s “enforcement strategy… is
based on elimination of [secondhand smoke] as the only effective OHS
control solution to deal with this hazard in the workplace.”
“We
welcome these statements of principle”, says SmokeFree ’03 spokesperson and
Musicians’ Union Secretary Terry Noone, “but they mean little if not
enforced in practice.
“In
fact, despite the position confirmed by Ms Pike and Mr Tweedly, Workcover
authorities in all jurisdictions appear reluctant to take action to protect
workers.
“So
we’re left in the absurd situation where secondhand smoke is clearly a danger
to workers and is clearly identified by both the Minister and the Workcover
chief as falling within the scope of OH&S laws – but goes on being allowed
in many workplaces, without any real fear of penalty.
“The
result,” says Terry Noone, “is that thousands of pub, club and casino
workers – including musicians and entertainers - continue being exposed to
proven serious health harm, making nonsense of the OH&S laws.
“Latest
opinion surveys all over Australia show two-thirds majority support for total
indoor smoke bans in licensed premises. It’s long past time for all
governments to act in accordance with community attitudes, to enforce existing
laws, and to direct that all workplaces must be smokefree.”
Comment:
Terry Noone, Musicians’ Union of Australia
ph. 0409-405-657
Comment
/ media info:
Stafford Sanders, ASH
ph. (02) 9334-1823
SmokeFree '03 coalition:
Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers' Union; Musicians' Union of
Australia;
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance; Australian Council of Trade
Unions;
Action on Smoking and Health Australia; The Cancer Council Australia;
National Heart Foundation of Australia; Australian Council on Smoking and Health;
Non-Smokers' Movement of Australia