’We’re talking about human life’: Mum says senate inquiry into industrial deaths will save tradies

A NEW senate inquiry into industrial deaths has the potential to turn around Australia’s truly shocking workplace safety statistics.

The inquiry was referred to the Education and Employment References Committee for report by September 20, 2018. Picture: iStock

A GRIEVING mother who has fought tirelessly for years for an inquiry into workplace deaths says she is “relieved” it is finally under way.

NSW mother Kay Catanzariti began pushing for an inquiry following the 2012 death of her 21-year-old son Ben, who was killed by a falling concrete-pouring boom at a construction site in Canberra.

After spending a frustrating few years contacting various politicians to no avail, the Senate finally confirmed last month the “inquiry into industrial deaths in Australia” would go ahead.

An emotional Mrs Catanzariti told news.com.au she believed the nationwide inquiry could “save lives” and force negligent employers to be held accountable for their actions.

“It’s a relief that someone finally listened,” she said.

“The key factor people have to realise is that we’re talking about human beings and human life.”

Mrs Catanzariti urged as many people as possible to make submissions, including families who had lost loved ones in workplace incidents as well as judicial and industry experts.

“Don’t be afraid — we need people to speak up. We’ve got one chance at this. It won’t happen again in my lifetime or my children’s lifetime,” she said.

“But it’s happening, and there’s going to be change.”

Labor Senator Gavin Marshall, who helped Mrs Catanzariti get the inquiry under way, met with her last week to discuss its progress.

He said he had been moved after hearing Ben’s tragic story.

“I’m an electrician by trade and I know first-hand how dangerous workplaces can be,” he said.

“But every workplace incident and death is preventable — every single one.

“I’m hoping [the inquiry] improves the system for people who end up in this traumatic environment and also results in a better regimen for prevention, for accountability and ultimately punishment for those that are either wilfully ignorant or complicit in workplace injury or death.”

Grieving mum Kay Catanzariti, who lost her son Ben in a workplace inccident, with Labor senator Gavin Marshall. Picture: Supplied

Mr Marshall said people who wanted to make submissions also had the option of speaking at a public hearing instead of lodging a written account.

The inquiry was referred to the Education and Employment References Committee for report by September 20, 2018. The closing date for submissions is June 6.

The news of the inquiry follows a recent survey conducted by law firm Shine Lawyers, which revealed one in 10 workers didn’t make a complaint about safety in the workplace because they were worried about job security and possible repercussions.

The survey also found 17 per cent of workers have witnessed a colleague being fired after injuring themselves at work, while 35 per cent have seen a co-worker being injured due to a lack of training in health and safety.

Shine Lawyers employment expert Will Barsby said the results were “disturbing”.

“There are very strong employment laws in Australia that protect workers who are injured, or raise safety concerns, from adverse action,” he said.

“They can’t be demoted, sacked or punished in any way including having shifts cut or changed.

“Don’t be afraid to come forward — workplace safety is vital for all of us. We see too many families devastated and lives ruined by deaths and accidents that should never have happened.”

Mr Barsby said if a worker was sacked after being injured at work or reporting an unsafe practice, they may have a case for unfair dismissal or adverse action.

But he said workers only had 21 days from their last day of work to file for unfair dismissal or adverse action.

According to Safe Work Australia, 40 Australians have already been killed at work in 2018, including nine construction workers.

Eight of those deaths occurred in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industries and 16 in transport, postal and warehousing.

Two mining workers have been killed, along with one in manufacturing, one in electricity, gas, water and waste services, one in rental, hiring and real estate services, one wholesale trade worker and one administrative and support services worker.

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