Tuesday, 26 March 2019

The Occupational Safety and Health Tribunal (the Tribunal) has dismissed an application for payment of an unspecified amount for continued pay and benefits entitlements and a loss of earnings arising from alleged discrimination against a safety and health representative in relation to employment.

The Tribunal was comprised of Commissioner Walkington who considered the entitlements claim and noted that there is a mandatory process in place for resolving health and safety issues in the workplace, which include circumstances where a worker may cease work without loss of wages and entitlements. The Tribunal further considered that it is necessary for any employee wishing to make a claim to demonstrate that they have refused to work on particular tasks, have notified the employer of their belief of the risk to their safety and health and have made themselves available for alternate duties if it is safe to do so. The Tribunal found that the applicant’s actions were not consistent with the provisions of the legislation and regulations.

The Tribunal then considered that persons who are safety and health representatives or are performing or have performed any function as a safety and health representative can make a claim for discrimination against a safety and health representative in relation to employment. The Tribunal found that the applicant was not eligible to bring this application because the applicant had not demonstrated that he was a validly elected safety and health representative.

The Tribunal dismissed the referral for lack of jurisdiction.

The decision can be read here.