Ventia Mornington depot: you deserve a safe workplace

You deserve a safe workplace

Nothing is more important than your safety.

The ASU has been actively raising members’ health and safety concerns with management, including inadequate and unsafe PPE and also lack of access to important facilities (such as first aid, hygiene and a safety noticeboard) in the depot. 

You can read our correspondence here.

Management’s response dismissed the concerns raised – they say that all workers were informed of changes and arrangements for access to various facilities “in the GHEQ and Project Induction trainings delivered last month and earlier this month”.

You can read their response here.

The “nothing to see here” response from management contrasts with the fact that the depot has been gated-off and boarded-up, and workers have expressed both uncertainty regarding arrangements (including emergency procedures and evacuation plans), and a lack of access to the important health and safety facilities we identified.

Management has offered to meet and discuss concerns, and your ASU representatives will continue to pursue the important issues that have been raised.

We ask that any member who has any OHS concerns notify ASU Organiser, Jacqui Ferreira ASAP.

In dismissing the concerns of members, Ventia has relied upon their ‘Prevention and Resolution of SHEQ Issues’ procedure. They claim that all staff are trained on this procedure and ‘the various channels for reporting concerns’. Is this true? And do you think this is adequate?

We are also advised that Ventia is in the process of establishing a Designated Work Group ahead of holding elections for Health and Safety Representatives. Never forget: OHS is about YOUR safety. Any DWGs that are established must occur through negotiation, and you have the right to elect your own representatives/HSRs. 

The ASU is by your side. Talk to a co-worker about the importance of union membership and ask them to join the ASU at https://www.asuvictas.com.au/VICTAS/Join

For more information please contact: 
ASU organiser Jacqui Ferreira | [email protected]