Mums of sons who died in workplace accidents have this plea for the State Government
Mothers whose sons died in workplace accidents are pleading with the State Government not to water down a critical safety measure for apprentices and trainees.
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Mothers who lost their sons in tragic workplace accidents are urging the State Government to not water down supervision requirements for apprentices and trainees.
Voice of Industrial Death founder, Andrea Madeley, whose group aims to influence government policy on workplace safety, has written to Skills Minister David Pisoni asking him to ensure mothers like herself are part of any decision to change supervision requirements.
In November, The Advertiser revealed South Australia’s Training and Skills Commission was reviewing the supervision requirements of apprentices and trainees.
Ms Madeley’s son Daniel was an 18-year-old first year apprentice toolmaker when he lost his life in a horrific workplace accident.
He was pulled into a horizontal boring machine in 2004.
Investigations, prosecutions and a coronial inquiry found a central feature of Daniel’s death was a lack of supervision.
Ms Madeley said inadequate supervision was often a contributing factor in tragic workplace accidents.
“It was certainly central in Daniel’s matter and that sticks in my mind every day,” she said.
“They should be watched during everything they do, so that they can learn their trade.
“I don’t think it matters if you are cutting hair or wiring up power, the point is they are at the very early stage of learning a craft and that is why they have such low wages.”
Ms Madeley has been joined by Michelle Rath in the fight to encourage greater workplace safety for apprentices and trainees.
Ms Rath’s son Alex was a fourth year apprentice refrigeration mechanic when he was electrocuted in 2013.
He was working alone at the time of his death meaning the opportunity to render him medical assistance, and possibly save his life, was lost.
Ms Rath said the Government should take on board the views of families who had experienced a workplace fatality involving an apprentice or trainee.
“We’re fighting for families to not have to go through this,” she said.
“To remove supervision is just a ridiculous idea. My son could potentially be alive today if he had have had a second person working with him.”
In her letter to Mr Pisoni, Ms Madeley has asked that she and Ms Rath be part of the “stakeholder engagement” promised before any decision is made.
“Michelle and I have both worked tirelessly and without fuss, to raise awareness and educate other workers about the importance of safety and following rules designed to keep them safe,” she said.
“We do this by presenting our stories and heartbreaking experiences, one workplace at a time.
“A key feature of what we have to say during our presentations considers the role of adequate supervision for inexperienced workers.”
Mr Pisoni said he had received the letter from Ms Madeley and Ms Rath and had agreed to meet with them to hear their concerns and include them in the consultation.
“It’s important to note that this review is about skills teaching and learning supervision in respect of on-the-job training, and is distinct from supervision required under occupation health and safety laws which will remain unchanged,” he said.