1

[ExtractfromQueenslandGovernmentIndustrialGazette,

dated28April,2006,Vol.181,No.17,pages681-692]

QUEENSLANDINDUSTRIALRELATIONSCOMMISSION

IndustrialRelationsAct1999-s.125-making,amendingandrepealingawards

s.126-contentofawards

TheElectricalTradesUnionofEmployeesQueenslandANDCastlemainePerkinsPtyLtdandOthers(A/2005/41)

BREWINGINDUSTRYAWARD-STATE2003

VICEPRESIDENTLINNANE

COMMISSIONERBROWN

COMMISSIONERTHOMPSON / 12April2006

ApplicationtoamendAwardtoinsertanelectricallicensingallowance-ClaimmadepursuanttoWorkValuePrinciple-Claimbasedonchangesinthenatureofthework,skillandresponsibilityrequiredofelectricalworkersasaresultoftheenactmentoftheElectricalSafetyAct2002andtheElectricalSafetyRegulation2002-Heldthatanychangeinthenatureoftheworkdidnotconstitutesuchasignificantnetadditiontoworkrequirementsastowarrantthegrantingoftheapplication.

DECISION

[1]ThisisanapplicationbyTheElectricalTradesUnionofEmployeesQueensland(ETU)seekingtoamendtheBrewingIndustryAward - State2003(Award)toinsertanelectricallicensingallowanceinthefollowingterms:

"Allemployeeswhoarerequiredtoholdanelectricallicencefortheperformanceoftheirworkshallbepaidalicensingallowanceasfollows:

Electricallicensingallowance $19perweek

ThisallowanceshallbepayableforallpurposesofthisAward.

Wherethereisadisputebetweenthepartiesabouttherequirementforanemployeetoholdanelectricallicencefortheperformanceoftheirwork,suchdisputewillbedealtwithinaccordancewithinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofclause3.1.".

[2]TheapplicationisopposedbyCastlemainePerkinsPtyLtd(CastlemainePerkins),theQueenslandChamberofCommerceandIndustryLimited,IndustrialOrganisationofEmployers(QCCI)andtheAustralianIndustryGroup,IndustrialOrganisationofEmployers(Queensland)(AIG).

Evidence

[3]InsupportofitsapplicationtheETUreliedupontheevidenceofJasonYoungandLyleCzislowski. MrYoungiscurrentlyemployedbytheETUinthepositionofStateOrganiserandpriortothat,workedasanelectricalfittermechanic. AsanOrganiserMrYounghasresponsibilityforallmembersoftheETUemployedintheengineering,manufacturing,food,breweryandracingindustries. HethushasresponsibilityformembersemployedundertheAward. MrYoung'sevidenceisthatworkingasanOrganiserhasgivenhimasolidunderstandingoftheobligationsimposedonelectricalworkersbytheElectricalSafetyAct2002(Act),theElectricalSafetyRegulation2002(Regulation)andtherelevantCodesofPractice.

[4]WhentheActandRegulationcameintoforcetheETUpromotedthereformsasapositivechangesayingthatitwouldtightenupsafetystandardswithintheindustry. MrYoungestimatesthatapproximately90%ofemployershaveproceduresinplacethat,forthemostpart,complywiththeActandtheRegulationalthoughheestimatesthatonlyabout50%ofemployershaveprovidedtrainingontheAct,theRegulationandtheCodesofPracticetotheirelectricalworkers.

[5]MrYoungsaysthatelectricalworkersmustbeawareof,andactinaccordancewith,bothinternalemployerpolicyandthelegislativeprovisions. HealsoreferredtothefactthatelectricalworkerswerealsorequiredtohaveaknowledgeandunderstandingoftheWorkplaceHealthandSafetyAct1995likeallotherworkers. Inaddition,electricalworkersarerequiredtofullyunderstandAS3000andAS3012andthethreecodesofpracticeundertheAct,i.e.theElectricalWork,theWorks(ProtectiveEarthing,UndergroundCableSystemsandMaintenanceofSupportingStructuresforPowerlines),andtheWorkingNearLiveExposedPartsCodesofPractice.

[6]Asforthechangesintheelectricalworker'sdutiessincetheenactmentoftheAct,MrYoungcitesthefollowing:

  • theActandtheRegulationhavesignificantlyalteredtheeverydayworkpracticesofelectricians;
  • themoredetailedsafetyproceduresinthelegislationhavemadeindividualtasksmoretimeconsumingforelectricalworkers;
  • mostelectriciansarenowrequiredtofillinmorepaperworkaspartoftheemployer'ssafetyprocedures,e.g.awrittenriskassessmentnowmustbecompletedpriortoanyliveworkbeingcommenced: seeregulation12(1)(b)oftheRegulation;
  • whilstthelegislationplacestheonusforariskassessmentontheemployerorself-employedperson,MrYoungisoftheviewthatthetaskofcompletingtheseassessmentsisalwaysperformedbytheelectricalworker;
  • mostemployersrequiretheelectricalworkertoprepareriskassessmentsnotonlyforliveworkbutalsobeforeanytypeofelectricalworkisperformed;
  • mostemployershaveproceduresinplacerequiringelectricianstocompletesomekindofstandardriskassessmentformbeforeperformingliveelectricalwork. Theseassessmentsinvolveanassessmentofthejobtobedone,identificationoftherisksandtheproperstepstobeputinplaceinordertomitigatetherisks;
  • intheperformanceoffaultfinding,thelegislationnowrequiresthesettingupofbarriersandtheutilisationofpersonalprotectiveequipment(PPE)andthiscanbequitetimeconsuming;
  • therequirementsfortheperformanceofwhatisdefinedinthelegislationas"livework"include:
  • theisolationpointoftheelectricitysupplymustbemarkedsothatitcanbeclearlyidentified;
  • theareawheretheelectricalworkisbeingperformedmustbeclearedofpotentialobstructions;
  • unlesstheworkinvolvestesting,theremustbeanaptlyqualifiedsafetyobserverpresent;
  • clothingandPPEappropriatefortheperformanceofliveworkmustbewornbytheelectricalworker;and
  • liveworkmustbedoneinaccordancewitha"safesystemofwork"whichcanincludetheerectionofbarrierstopreventunauthorisedpersonsfromenteringtheworkarea.

[7]PriortotheenactmentoftheAct,itwaslargelyuptothediscretionoftheindividualelectriciantodeterminewhetherornotliveworkshouldbeundertaken. Nowthelegislationstatesthatliveworkmustnotbeperformedunlessthereisnoreasonablealternative. MrYoungsaysthatemployerssometimesputpressureonelectricianstoperformworklivewhenareasonablealternativemaybeavailable. MrYoungalsogaveevidencethatmanyemployersnowrequirethatwhenanelectricianconductsatest,thetestmustbesignedoffandtheelectricianrecordstheirlicencenumberonthetestsheet.

[8]MrYoungalsoreferredtheFullBenchtothefactthatifanelectricianperformslivework,anddoesnotproperlycomplywiththelegislativeproceduresforlivework,thentheelectricalworkercanbesubjecttosignificantpenaltiesprovidedforinthelegislation. Referencewasmadetos.27oftheActwhichprovidesasfollows:

"27Obligationoffenceprovision

Apersononwhomanelectricalsafetyobligationisimposedmustdischargetheobligation.

Maximumpenalty-

(a)ifthebreachcausesmultipledeaths-2000penaltyunitsor3yearsimprisonment;or

(b)ifthebreachcausesdeathorgrievousbodilyharm-1000penaltyunitsor2yearsimprisonment;or

(c)ifthebreachcausesbodilyharm-750penaltyunitsor1year'simprisonment;or

(d)otherwise-500penaltyunitsor6monthsimprisonment.".

[9]AnotheraspectofMrYoung'sevidenceisthatwiththeshortageoflicensedelectriciansandtheadditionalresponsibilitiesofthesafetylegislation,theworkloadofelectricalworkershasincreasedinrecenttimes.

[10]InMrYoung'sviewthesafetyobligationsofelectricalworkersaremoreonerousthanthatfacedbyothertradespersons,andelectricalworkersmustnowcompletemorepaperworkthanothertradespersons. Ifmistakesaremadebyelectriciansthentheconsequencescanalsobefargreaterthantheconsequencesofmistakesbyothertradespersons. AccordingtoMrYoung,itistheriskoflossoflicencethatisamajorconcerntoelectricalworkersandhisevidenceisthatsuchapenaltydoesnotapplytoothertradespersonsundertheWorkplaceHealthandSafetyAct1995.

[11]MrYoungalsoagreedthatthethrustofhissupportfortheelectricallicensingallowanceisthattheActmakescertainrequirementsmandatoryforelectricalworkersandthatinturnhasmeantanincreaseintheskillsandresponsibilitiesofelectricalworkers. Itistheundertakingofriskassessments,theputtingupofsafetybarriersandthewearingofglovesthathave,accordingtoMrYoung,broughtaboutthesignificantalterationtotheworkpracticesofelectricalworkerswhichinturnwarrantthegrantingoftheelectricallicensingallowance. Itis,accordingtoMrYoung,thefactthatthelegislationmandatestheseworkpracticesthatisimportant. MrYoungalsoacknowledgedthatanemployercanimposemandatoryobligationsuponitsemployeestocomplywithareasonablesafetypolicy.

[12]InrespectofCastlemainePerkinsMrYoungundercross-examinationagreedthat:

  • theActandtheRegulationwereinfactagoodoutcomeforelectricalworkersinthatthelegislationwasdirectedateliminating,inpart,thehumancosttoindividuals,familiesandthecommunityofdeath,injuryanddestructionthatcanbecausedbyelectricity;
  • theelectricalworker'slicencewasatriskifunsafeworkwasperformedunderthepreviouslegislativearrangements;
  • electricalworkersassessedriskspriortoperformingelectricalworkunderthepreviouslylegislativearrangements;
  • underthecurrentWorkplaceHealthandSafetyAct1995thereisanobligationonallworkerstoassessrisksbeforeproceedingtoperformwork;
  • CastlemainePerkinshadprovidedthenecessarytrainingundertheAct;
  • theAwardprovidesthatallPPEthatisprovidedtoemployeesmustbewornandproperlyutilised;
  • theproformadocumentusedatCastlemainePerkinsforrisksassessmentscodifieswhatwouldotherwisebeamentalprocessandthatthedocumentsavedtheelectricalworkerfromforgettinganyofthemattersheorshewasrequiredtoconsider;
  • thesignatureoftheelectricalworkerontheriskassessmentmeantthatthetracingofthepersonwhoperformedtheworkwasmadeeasier;and
  • thesettingupofbarriersmakestheworkoftheelectricalworkersafertoperform.

[13]MrCzislowskiisemployedasPackagingShiftElectricianatCastlemainePerkinsatitsMiltonbrewery. Hehasworkedinthebrewingindustryforfifteenyears. AsaShiftElectricianhisprimarydutyistoconductmaintenanceandrepairworkonmachineryinthebrewerywithapproximately95%ofhisworkconsistingofbreakdownmaintenanceonthepackagingequipment. MrCzislowskialsoperformsmediumsizedinstallationworkonextralowvoltageworkonly. HisevidenceisthatthemajorchangesintroducedatCastlemainePerkinssincetheenactmentoftheActare:

  • therequirementtocompletewrittenriskassessments. Electricalworkersarerequiredtocompletethewrittenriskassessmentbeforecommencinganyworkonswitchboards. InthisregardMrCzislowski'sstatement(Exhibit18)revealsthat"writtenriskassessmentshavetobecompletedbetween1-20timesperdaybyelectricianswhoworkonthepackagingequipment ...". Incross-examinationMrCzislowskiconcededthatawrittenriskassessmenttakeshimapproximatelytwotothreeminutestoperform. HisevidenceisthathealsoperformsriskassessmentswhenrequiredtoperformextralowvoltageworkeventhoughtheActdoesnotrequirewrittenriskassessmentsforsuchwork. BeforetheFullBenchwasMrCzislowski'swrittenriskassessmentsundertakensince2002. Thatdocumentationrevealedthathehadperformedonaverage1.4writtenriskassessmentsperweekduringthatperiodandnotthe1 - 20timesperdayasoriginallystated. Further,heagreedthatworkperformedbybothfittersandelectricalworkersinsidevesselsatCastlemainePerkinsrequireriskassessmentsandthefittermustalsosigntheriskassessment. Further,riskassessmentsareperformedwhenworkisbeingundertakeninconfinedspaceswherefittersarealsoinvolved;
  • theerectionofsafetybarrierswhenperformingworkonswitchboardsonthefactoryfloor. AccordingtoMrCzislowskiheperformsworkonswitchboards"fromabout20timesonabusydaytoperhapsoncepershiftonaslowday";
  • moreonerousobligationswereimposedonelectricalworkersperformingliveworkandthatfault-findingisthemainformofliveworkdonebytheelectricalworkersatthebrewery. MrCzislowski'sevidenceisthathewouldengageinfault-findingbetweenoneandtwentytimesperdayandthateachtimeanelectricalworkerisengagedinfault-findingtheyarerequiredtoerectbarriersandwearPPE;
  • theincreaseduseofPPE. ThePPEconsistsoflongsleeveshirts,safetyglassesandthreepairsofgloves. MrCzislowskiisoftheviewthatthewaringofsuchPPEcanmakethejobmoredifficultbecausetheglovesareverycumbersome. Thisresultsinthejobtakinglongertoperform. Undercross-examinationMrCzislowskiacknowledgedthathewasunawareoftheAwardprovisioninrelationtoPPE;and
  • therequirementtohaveasafetyobserverpresentwhenperforminglivework. Thesafetyobserveristheretoobservethewayinwhichtheelectricalworkerperformstheirworkandtoensurethattheelectricalworkerfollowscorrectsafetyproceduresandtakesproperprecautionsand,ifnecessary,toperformarescueiftheelectricalworkerreceivesashock. MrCzislowskiadmitsthatasafetyobserverwasusedatCastlemainePerkinspriortotheenactmentoftheAct,however,hesaysthattheynowplayamoreimportantrolei.e.theynowperformnootherroleotherthanobservetheelectricalworker,theymusthavefullknowledgeoftheworkbeingperformedandmustbeabletoidentifyandbeabletorespondtoanunsafesituation.

[14]MrCzislowskialsoreferredtotheconcernsofelectricalworkersatCastlemainePerkinswiththe"liabilitiesthatcanbeincurred"undertheActandtheRegulationwiththepotentialforlossoflicencebeingthegreatestoftheseconcerns.

[15]Duringcross-examinationMrCzislowskiagreedthatthenatureoftheworkhe,asanelectrician,performedhadnotchanged. HefurtheragreedthatotheremployeesofCastlemainePerkinscompletedriskassessmentsandsignedtheirnametothoseassessments.

[16]CastlemainePerkinsreliedupontheevidenceofJohnHannellwhoisemployedastheTechnicalManagerhavingbeenemployedbyCastlemainePerkinsforaperiodofseventeenyears. Therearecurrentlyfourteenfull-timeelectriciansemployedbyCastlemainePerkinswithadditionaltemporaryelectriciansemployedinthePackagingDepartmentduringtheperiodmidSeptembertolateJanuaryeachyear. Thecompanyalsoutilisecontractelectriciansforinstallationandnoncoretasks.

[17]AccordingtoMrHannelltheonlyliveworkperformedbyelectriciansatCastlemainePerkinsislowvoltagetestingandfault-findingwithnoothertypeofliveworkhavingbeendoneatleastsince2003. MrHannellsaysthatatleast50%ofalltestingandfault-findingisdoneatextralowvoltagewhichisworknotcoveredbytheAct. AsignificantproportionofworkforwhichriskassessmentsareperformedbyelectricalworkersisresettingoverloadsorbreakerswhichagainisnotelectricalworkcoveredbytheAct. MrHannellcouldonlydiscovertwoinstancesofelectricalinstallationworkbeingperformedatCastlemainePerkinsinrecenttimesbyemployedelectricalworkersandbothoccurredin2002.

[18]AccordingtoMrHannellthemainimpactoftheenactmentoftheActis:

  • theincreaseinawarenessofobligationsinrelationtosafety;
  • theincreaseinpenaltieswhichreflectthosecontainedintheWorkplaceHealthandSafetyAct1995;
  • implementationofspecificobligationsandspecificrestrictionsonliveworkwhichplaceresponsibilityontheemployer;and
  • theintroductionofspecificproceduresanddocumentationrequirementsforlivework,installationandrepairs.

[19]CastlemainePerkinscommencedareviewofelectricalsafetyattheMiltonbreweryin2001withthereviewresultingin:

  • writtenriskassessmentsbasedupontheAustralianStandardbeingintroduced - thesebookletswerefirstissuedtoelectriciansinSeptember2002;
  • testsheetswhichshowtestingofmachineryfollowingalterations,modificationsandrepairsbeforethemachinerygoesbackintouse-theuseofthesetestsheetscommencedinOctober2001;
  • electricalsafetyandhazardawarenesstrainingforallelectricians whichcommencedinAugust2002;
  • inAugust2001electricalworkerswereissuedwithcottonflameretardantshirtsandtrousers,woollensocks,eyeprotectionandappropriatefootwear;and
  • regulartoolboxmeetingswereheldtodiscusselectricalissueswithelectricalsafetybeinganimportantelement. ThesemeetingscommencedinJune2002.

[20]InMrHannell'sviewtheintroductionoftheActdidnothaveanysignificantimpactupon,norcauseanysignificantalterationtotheworkrequiredofelectriciansemployedatCastlemainePerkins. Whisltsomeworkpracticeschangedtheywerenotsignificantintermsoftheimpactonelectricians.

[21]MrHannellalsogaveevidenceastothefollowing:

  • 90%oftheworkperformedbyelectricalworkersattheMiltonbreweryiselectricalmaintenancewithverylittleelectricalinstallationworkperformedbyelectricalworkersemployedbyCastlemainePerkins. Theoneexceptionistheelectricalworkerwhoworksinthebrewingareawhodoesprocesscontrolandcapitalworkandmanagessomeinstallationworksdonebycontractors;
  • theenactmentoftheActmeantthatCastlemainePerkinswasrequiredtoformulatepoliciesandprocedurestoensureasafesystemofwork;
  • trainingwasprovidedtoelectricalworkers;
  • electricalworkersemployedbyCastlemainePerkinswererequiredtocomplywiththeprovisionsoftheWorkplaceHealthandSafetyAct1995priortotheenactmentoftheActandcontinuetohavetocomplywiththeprovisionsofbothpiecesoflegislation;
  • thereisarelativelysmallamountofadditionalpaperworkrequiredofelectricalworkers,i.e.riskassessmentsandtestsheets. MrHannellreviewedCastlemainePerkinsrecordsrelatingtoriskassessmentsandtestsheetscompletedbyelectricalworkersandformedtheviewthattheworkinvolveddidnotamounttoanysignificanttimerequirement. AnauditofsixelectricalworkersemployedbyCastlemainePerkinsoveraperiodoftwoyearsrevealedthatonaverageelectricalworkerscompletetwowrittenriskassessmentsperweekwithsomeaveragingonlyoneperweekandothersaveragingthreeperweek. Anauditoftheseventy-seventestsheetsthathavebeencompletedoverthepastfouryearsrevealthatlessthantwoperyearperelectricianforinstallationandrepairworkhavebeencompleted. OfthoseonlytworelatetoinstallationworkandMrCzislowskididnotdothiswork. InthelastfouryearsonlytwotestingsheetsforinstallationhavebeencompletedbyCastlemainePerkinselectricalworkers;
  • attheMiltonbreweryliveworkisnottobedoneunlessthereisnoreasonablealternativeanditrequiresthespecificauthorisationoftheOperationsDirector,i.e.apartfromtestingandfault-finding;and
  • theriskoflossoflicenceissomethingthatexistedpriortotheenactmentoftheAct.

[22]IntermsofMrCzislowski'sevidenceMrHannell'sresponseis:

  • thatatleast50%ofhisworkisatextralowvoltageworkwhichisnotcoveredbytheAct;
  • plantstartupisnotelectricalwork;
  • theworkperformedbyhimisthesameasitwaspriortotheenactmentoftheAct;
  • inthelastfouryearsMrCzislowskihassubmittedseventestsheetsnoneofwhichareforinstallations;
  • theuseofglovestoperformcertaintypesofworkisnotanonerousobligationandotherworkersemployedatCastlemainePerkinsarerequiredtowearPPEintheperformanceoftheirduties;
  • allemployeesemployedbyCastlemainePerkinscanbesubjecttodisciplinaryproceedingsiftheyfailtofollowsafetypolicies;
  • ananalysisoftheriskassessmentsperformedbythreeelectricalworkersshowsthatMrCzislowskihasperformedonehundredandsixty-fourriskassessmentswhichaveragedatonetotwoperweek,adifferentemployeeaveragedthreeperweekandthethirdemployeeaveragedtwoperweek;
  • thatinthePackagingDepartmentthecompany'srecordsrevealthatratherthanMrCzislowski'sclaimofuptotwentyinstancesofwrittenriskassessmentsperdaybeingundertakentherehadbeenanaverageoftwoperweekperelectricalworker;and
  • informalbarricadesandsignagehadbeenusedpriortotheenactmentoftheActhowevertheprocessofbarriershadnowbeenmoreformalised.

SubmissionsofParties

[23]TheETUsubmitthattheapplicationforanelectricallicensingallowancetobeinsertedintheAwardissoughtbecauseofthechangesintheworkrequiredtobeperformedbyelectriciansasaresultofobligationsandresponsibilitiesimposedbytheAct. Thenewobligationsimposedontheelectricalworkersissaidtoariseprimarilyfromss.36,37,38and39oftheAct. Thesesectionsareasfollows:

"36Obligationofinstallerofelectricalequipmentorelectricalinstallation

Apersonwhoinstallselectricalequipmentoranelectricalinstallationhasanobligationtoensurethat-

(a)thewaytheelectricalequipmentorinstallationisinstallediselectricallysafe;and

(b)theprocessesfollowedforinstallingtheelectricalequipmentorinstallationensurethat,wheninstalled,itwillbeelectricallysafe;and

(c)aftertheelectricalequipmentorinstallationisinstalled,thepersontestsandexaminesittoensureitiselectricallysafe.

37Obligationofrepairerofelectricalequipmentorelectricalinstallation

(1)Apersonwhorepairselectricalequipmentoranelectricalinstallationhasanobligationtoensurethat-

(a)thewaytheelectricalequipmentorinstallationisrepairediselectricallysafe;and

(b)theprocessesfollowedforrepairingtheelectricalequipmentorinstallationensurethat,whenrepaired,itwillbeelectricallysafe;and

(c)theelectricalequipmentorinstallation,whenrepaired,iselectricallysafe.

(2)Withoutlimitingsubsection(1),theobligationincludesensuringthattheelectricalequipmentorinstallation,whenrepaired,istestedandexaminedtoensureitiselectricallysafe.

38Obligationofpersonincontrolofelectricalequipment

(1)Apersonincontrolofelectricalequipmenthasanobligationtoensuretheelectricalequipmentiselectricallysafe.

(2)Subsection(1)doesnotapplytothepersonincontrolofelectricalequipmenttotheextentthattheelectricalequipment-

(a)islocatedatpremisesinwhichthepersonlives;or

(b)formspartoftheworksofanelectricityentity.

39Obligationsofworker

Aworkerataplacewhereelectricalequipmentislocatedhasthefollowingobligations-

(a)tocomplywiththeinstructionsfortheelectricalsafetyofpersonsandpropertyattheplacegiven-

(i)bytheworker'semployer;and

(ii)totheextenttheinstructionsarenotinconsistentwithinstructionsgivenbytheworker'semployer,bythepersonincontroloftheelectricalequipment;

(b)tousepersonalprotectiveequipment,if-

(i)theprotectiveequipmentisprovidedbytheworker'semployerorthepersonincontroloftheelectricalorelectricalsafetypurposes;and

(ii)theworkerisproperlyinstructedintheuseoftheprotectiveequipmentprovided;

(c)nottowilfullyinterferewithormisuseanythingprovidedforelectricalsafetyattheplace;

(d)nottowilfullyplaceanyperson,includingtheworker,attheplaceinelectricalrisk.".

[24]Theincreasedresponsibilityforelectricalworkersissaid,bytheETU,tobeasfollows:

  • theobligationtoprovidewrittenriskassessments;
  • thethreeCodesofPracticehavingnowbeenincorporatedintotheRegulationissaid,bytheETU,todemonstratethatagreaterlevelofskillandknowledgeisnowrequiredbyelectricalworkers;
  • theadditionalPPEthatisrequiredtobewornbyelectricalworkersmeansthattheyhavehadtomodifyhowtheywork;
  • electricalworkersarerequiredtorenewtheirlicenceseveryfiveyears. TheActintroducednewrequirementsinrespectoftherenewaloflicencesbyrequiringtheelectricalworkertodemonstratetheirknowledgeoftheActandtheirknowledgeofriskassessments;and
  • thepenaltiesprovidedforinthelegislation.

[25]TheETUpredominatelyrelyupontheWorkValuePrinciplefoundinPrinciple6whichprovidesasfollows:

"6.WorkValueChanges

(a)Changesinworkvaluemayarisefromchangesinthenatureofthework,skillandresponsibilityrequiredortheconditionsunderwhichworkisperformed.Changesinworkbythemselvesmaynotleadtoachangeinwagerates.Thestricttestforanalterationinwageratesisthatthechangeinthenatureoftheworkshouldconstitutesuchasignificantnetadditiontoworkrequirementsastowarrantthecreationofanewclassificationorupgradingtoahigherclassification.

Inadditiontomeetingthistestapartymakingaworkvalueapplicationwillneedtojustifyanychangetowagerelativitiesthatmightresultnotonlywithintherelevantinternalawardstructurebutalsoagainstexternalclassificationstowhichthatstructureisrelated.Theremustbenolikelihoodofwageleapfroggingarisingoutofchangesinrelativeposition.

Thesearetheonlycircumstancesinwhichratesmaybealteredonthegroundofworkvalueandthealteredratesmaybeappliedonlytoemployeeswhoseworkhaschangedinaccordancewiththisprinciple.

(b)Whereneworchangedworkjustifyingahigherrateisperformedonlyfromtimetotimebypersonscoveredbyaparticularclassification,orwhereitisperformedonlybysomeofthepersonscoveredbytheclassification,suchneworchangedworkshouldbecompensatedbyaspecialallowancewhichispayableonlywhentheneworchangedworkisperformedbyaparticularemployeeandnotbyincreasingtheratefortheclassificationasawhole.

(c)ThetimefromwhichworkvaluechangesinanawardshouldbemeasuredisthedateofoperationofthesecondstructuralefficiencyadjustmentallowableundertheOctober1989StateWageCaseDecision[132QGIG1199].

(d)Careshouldbeexercisedtoensurethechangeswhichwere,orshouldhavebeen,takenintoaccountinanypreviousworkvalueadjustmentsorinastructuralefficiencyexercisearenotincludedinanyworkevaluationunderthisPrinciple.

(e)Wherethetestsspecifiedin(a)aremet,anassessmentwillhavetobemadeastohowthatalterationshouldbemeasuredinmonetaryterms.Suchanassessmentwillnormallybebasedonthepreviousworkrequirements,thewagepreviouslyfixedfortheworkandthenatureandextentofthechangeinwork.

(f)Theexpression"theconditionsunderwhichtheworkisperformed"relatestotheenvironmentinwhichtheworkisdone.

(g)TheCommissionwillguardagainstcontrivedclassificationsandover-classificationofjobs.

(h)Anychangesinthenatureofwork,skillandresponsibilityrequiredortheconditions,underwhichtheworkisperformed,takenintoaccountinassessinganincreaseunderanyotherPrincipleofthisInterimStatementofPolicy,willnotbetakenintoaccountunderthisPrinciple.".

[26]Thesubmissionisthattherehasbeenanincreaseinworkvalueandthatthechangesandthenatureoftheworkconstitutessuchasignificantnetadditiontoworkrequirementsastowarrantthepaymentofa$19.00perweekallpurposeallowancei.e.theelectricallicensingallowance. ItisfurthersubmittedthatthepaymentoftheallowancesoughtwouldnotcauseachangetowagerelativitiesandthereisnolikelihoodofwagesleapfroggingastheallowancespecificallyreferstothechangedresponsibilitiesforelectricalworkersasaresultoftheintroductionoftheAct. ItisfurthersubmittedthattheonlypeoplewhofacethoseincreasedresponsibilitiesareelectricalworkersasdefinedintheAct.

[27]Astotheapplicationitself,MrLawson,onbehalfofCastlemainePerkins,tooktheFullBenchtoparagraph(3)(e)oftheAffidavitofRichardWilliamswhereitisstatedthat"[t]heintroductionoftheElectricalSafetyActandRegulationhaschangedthenatureoftheworkperformedbyelectricalworkers"andparagraph(3)(f)whichstatesthat"[i]nparticulartheintroductionoftheElectricalSafetyActandRegulationhaschangedthenatureoftheworkperformedbyemployeesemployedundertheBrewingIndustryAward - State2003". CastlemainePerkinssubmitsthattheevidenceofMrCzislowskiistobepreferredtotheviewofMrWilliamsgiventhatincross-examinationMrCzislowskideniedthatthenatureoftheworkhadchangedatCastlemainePerkins.

[28]Principle6oftheWageFixingPrinciplesreliesuponachangeinthenatureofthework,skillandresponsibility. Itisthussubmittedthattheclaimmustfailonthatgroundalonegiventheapplicationreliesonlyuponachangeinthenatureofthework.

[29]CastlemainePerkinsalsoraisedtheissueoftheclaimapplyingto"allemployeeswhoarerequiredtoholdanelectricallicence". TheRegulationlists,ins.25,theclassesofelectricalworklicencesthatarerequiredforcertainwork,e.g.anelectricalmechaniclicence,electricallinespersonlicence,electricalfitterlicence,electricaljointerlicence,restrictedelectricalworklicenceandanelectricalworktrainingpermit. Theholdersofarestrictedelectricalworklicenceoranelectricalworktrainingpermitarenottradespersonsandiftheclaimweremeanttoapplytotradespersonsthenitisnotcorrectlyformulated. TheETUdidindicatethatitwaspreparedtoamenditsclaimtoavoidthisidentifiedproblem.

[30]Further,itissubmittedbyCastlemainePerkinsthattheclaimfor$19.00perweekhasnotbeendividedintoitsvariouscomponentse.g.theperformanceofriskassessmentswarrantanallowanceof$X,theobligationtowearPPEwarrantsanallowanceof$Yetc. Theemployersarefacedsimplywithaglobalamount.

[31]Ontheaspectoftheclaimbeinganallpurposeclaim,CastlemainePerkinssubmitthatrelativitieswouldbeupsetwithintheawardclassificationstructure. This,itissubmitted,wouldcontravenePrinciple6oftheWageFixingPrinciples. ThefactthatMrCzislowskispendsaconsiderableperiodofhisworktimeonextralowvoltageworkwhichisnotcoveredbytheActisnotaccountedforinthattheclaimedallowanceisanallpurposeallowance. InadditionCastlemainePerkinssubmitthatthepotentialforwageleapfroggingisarealfactorshouldtheapplicationbegrantedparticularlywherethereleativitiesintheawardclassificationstructurewhichhasbeeninexistenceforsomeconsiderabletimeisbroken. CastlemainePerkinssubmitsthatitisincumbantontheETUtoconvincetheFullBenchthatotherunionswouldnotpursueanequivalentincreasetoavoidtheleapfroggingargument. ThiscouldhavebeenachievedbytheETUcallingevidencefromotherunionsinvolvedintheAward.

[32]AstotheskillandresponsibilityaspectoftheWorkValuePrinciple,CastlemainePerkinssubmitthattheevidenceofMrCzislowskiidentifiedthefollowingaspectsoftheworktoberelevant:

  • theneedtofillinwrittenriskassessments-itissubmittedthatthereisnoincreasedskillrequiredtotickorcrossthevariousboxesontheassessmentdocument. MrCzislowskiagreedthatthewrittenriskassessmentreplacedamentalprocessandaidedhimtoensurethathedidnotforgettoassessallrisks. Furtherheagreedthatittakesabouttwominutestocompleteandheisrequiredtofilloutsuchaformonaverage1.4timesperweek. FurtheratCastlemainePerkinsotheremployeesfilloutwrittenriskassessments;
  • thewearingofPPE-MrCzislowski'sevidenceisthathewearsclothingthathasaflameretardantcapacity,hewearsglasses,safetybootsandgloves. ThewearingoftheglovesisreallytheonlyadditionalPPEheisrequiredtowearsincetheintroductionoftheAct. Atworst,theuseoftheglovesslowsMrCzislowski'sworkprogresswhichisatnocosttohim;
  • theuseofsafetybarriers-itissubmittedthattheuseofbarriersisforemostfortheprotectionoftheelectricalworkerandcanhardlyamounttoanincreaseinskillorresponsibility; and
  • theuseofthesafetyobserver-itissubmittedthatthisisnotanadditionalresponsibilityplacedontheelectricalworkerperformingelectricalworkasitisanotherpersonwhoactsasthesafetyobserver. Theresponsibilitystopswhentheelectricalworkerdeterminesthereisaneedforasafetyobserver. AccordingtoCastlemainePerkins,theintroductionofanotherlayerofsafetyisnojustificationforawageincrease.

[33]CastlemainePerkinssubmitthatthesemattersdonotincreasethelevelofskillorresponsibilityoftheelectricalworker.

[34]OntheissueofthepenaltiesprovidedforintheAct,CastlemainePerkinssubmitthatunderthepreviouslegislativearrangementsanelectricalworkercouldnotperformorsuperviseelectricalworkinanunsafe,negligentorincompetentmanner. ItisfurthersubmittedthatthecurrentAct,theWorkplaceHealthandSafetyAct1995andthepreviousRegulationallimposesimilarobligationsorimposedthesameobligationsalthoughwordeddifferently. CastlemainePerkinsalsocontendthattoaccepttheETUargumentwithrespecttopenaltiesandpotentiallossoflicenceistosetupthe circumstancesforwageleapfroggingforallworkerswhohavethepotentialtolosetheirlicencesundertheWorkplaceHealthandSafetyAct1995andotherlegislativeenactmentsdealingwithdisclipinaryactionagainstthoseworkerswhoarerequiredtoobtainlicences(orsimilarqualifications)toperformwork.

[35]AstotheconcernexpressedbyMrYoungthatbygettingtheelectricalworkertosigntheriskassessment,thattheemployerisdelegatingitsliabilityundertheActtotheworker,CastlemainePerkinssubmitthattheemployerdoesnotstopbeingaccountableforunsafeworkundertheActsimplybecauseanemployee'snameandlicencenumbergoesonaform. That,accordingtoCastlemainePerkins,doesnotmovetheaccountability,onlytheeasewithwhichtheelectricalworkerperformingtheworkisidentified. Theultimateresponsibilitycontinuestorestwiththeemployer: seeBirdvRotechIndustries[2003]174QGIG1011. ItissubmittedthatthereisnothingintheActthatenablesanemployertodelegatetoanemployeethe"non-delegableabsolutedutiesimposed".

[36]CastlemainePerkinsalsoraisedtheissueoftheabsenceofevidenceinrespectofcertainaspectsoftheclaimandinvitestheFullBenchtodrawanadverseinferencefromthefailuretocallsuchevidence. Inparticularthecompanycontendsthatontheissuesofliability,theextenttowhichlicenceholdersareatrisk,theextenttowhichtheinvestigationprocessesunderthelegislationarecarriedouttherewerequalifiedpersonswhocouldhavebeencalledtogiveevidencee.g.theCommissionerforElectricalSafetyandothermembersoftheElectricalSafetyBoard. Thesubmissionismadethatsuchpersonswouldbepeoplewhocouldhavedealtwiththerisks,liabilitiesandresponsibilitiesofelectricalworkers.

[37]TheQCCIandAIGsupportedthesubmissionsmadeonbehalfofCastlemainePerkins.

Conclusion

[38]EssentiallytheETUrelieduponthefollowingchangestolegislationandworkpracticestosubstantiatetheneedforanewelectricallicensingallowance:

(i)thelegislativeprovisionscontainedinss.36,37and38oftheAct;

(ii)s.27oftheActwhichimposespenaltiesonelectricalworkersforbreachofcertainobligations;and

(iii)changesinthenatureofthework,skillandresponsibilityrequiredofelectricalworkersasaresultoftheintroductionofthecurrentlegislativearrangements.

(i)Legislativeprovisionscontainedinss.36,37and38oftheAct

Theselegislativeprovisionsarereproducedinparagraph23ofthisdecision. Thefirstthreelegislativeprovisionsimposeobligationsonpersonsperformingelectricalwork,however,theprovisionsappearsimplytocodifyobligationsonelectricalworkersthatexistedpriortotheenactmentoftheAct. Inthosecircumstancesitishardtojustifytheintroductionofanallowanceof$19.00perweekwhenexistingobligationshavesimplybeencodified. Further,s.39imposesobligationsonworkers,notjustpersonsperformingelectricalwork.

(ii)Legislativeprovisionscontainedins.27oftheAct

TheFullBenchwasalsoreferredtos.27oftheActwhichimposespenaltiesforbreach. TheETUsubmitthat,priortothecommencementoftheAct,thepenaltiesimposedonworkerswerenotassevere. TheproblemisthattheWorkplaceHealthandSafetyAct1995currentlyimposethesamepenaltiesforallworkersastheActimposesonelectricalworkers. Onceagaintheimpositionoflegislativepenaltiesonworkersdoesnotseemtowarranttheintroductionofanewallowanceinanaward.

(iii)Changesinthenatureofthework,skillandresponsibilityrequiredofelectricalworkers

InthisregardtheETUrelyuponthefollowing:

  • theobligationtoperformwrittenriskassessments. WeacceptthattheActdoesimposeanewobligationonelectricalworkerstoprovidewrittenriskassessmentsincircumstanceswherepreviouslyanemployerdidnotimposeanobligationonanemployeetoprovideawrittenriskassessment. InsofarasCastlemainePerkinsisconcernedtheevidenceisthatMrCzislowskitakesapproximatelytwotothreeminutestocompletetheseformsandhehas,since2002,completedawrittenriskassessmentatanaverageofonetotwoformsperweek. TheevidenceofMrHannellisthatsomeelectricalworkersperformonaveragethreesuchassessmentspermonth. TheevidenceisthatthewrittenriskassessmentmerelyreplacesthementalassessmentthatwasundertakenbytheelectricalworkerpriortotheenactmentoftheAct. Further,theproformadocumentthatisusedbyelectricalworkersatCastlemainePerkinswhichrequirestheelectricalworkertotickorcrosstherelevantboxes,isabenefittotheelectricalworkerinthattheworkerisnolongerrequiredtorememberallthepossiblerisksbecauseheorshecannowrelyupontheproformadocumenttoremindtheworkerofpossiblerisksthatheorsheshouldtakeintoaccount. Theproformadocumentthatiscurrentlyinuseprovidestheelectricalworkerwithachecklistthatidentifiesallthepossiblerisksratherthanhavingtheworkerhavetoremembertocheckallpossiblerisks. Theevidenceisthattheuseoftheproformariskassessmentdocumenthashelpedtomakethejobsaferfortheelectricalworker. BothMrYoungandMrCzislowskiseemedtobeconcernedthattheiractualsignatureandlicencenumberontheriskassessmentwascauseforconcern.Thefactthattheelectricalworkerisrequiredtosignthedocumentandplacetheirlicencenumberonthedocumentdoesnot,inourview,addtotheskillandresponsibilityoftheelectricalworker. ItcertainlydoesmakeiteasiertoidentifytheelectricalworkerwhoperformedtheworkbutthisisnotafactorthatneedstobeconsideredundertheWorkValuePrinciple. Theperformanceofawrittenriskassessmentdoesnot,inourview,changethenatureoftheworkperformedbytheelectricalworkerandnordoesitchangetheskillandresponsibilityrequiredoftheelectricalworker;
  • therequirementtowearadditionalPPEsincetheenactmentoftheActhasmeantthattheelectricalworkerhashadtomodifythemannerinwhichtheworkisperformed. ThedifficultyhereisthatitisCastlemainePerkinsthathasprovidedthePPEtobewornbyelectricalworkers. PriortothecommencementoftheAct,hadtheemployersprovidedtheglovestobewornbytheelectricalworkers,thentheobligationsimposedbytheWorkplaceHealthandSafetyAct1995wouldhaverequiredtheelectricalworkerstowearthePPEthatwasprovided: sees.36oftheWorkplaceHealthandSafetyAct1995.Thewordinginbothpiecesoflegislationissimilar. CastlemainePerkinsprovidesemployees,otherthanelectricalworkers,withPPEandthoseemployeesarerequired,undertheWorkplaceHealthandSafetyAct1995,towearsuchequipmentandtomodify,ifnecessary,howtheyperformtheirduties. GiventhatCastlemainePerkinsnowprovidesadditionalPPEtoelectricalworkers,thenboththeWorkplaceHealthandSafetyAct1995andtheActrequiretheelectricalworkertowearthePPE. InadditionthereistheobligationimposedbytheAwardtowearthePPEthatisprovidedbytheemployer. IftherequirementtowearPPEwasafactoringrantingthisapplicationthentheissueofleapfroggingwouldbecomeaproblemaslegislation,otherthantheAct,imposeobligationsonallworkerswhenPPEisprovidedbytheemployer. HowdoesonepreventasimilarclaimbeingmadewhereotherworkersarerequiredbytheWorkplaceHealthandSafetyAct1995towearPPEthatisprovidedtothembytheemployer? Further,itwastheevidenceofMrCzislowskithatitisonlythewearingofglovesthathasbeenrequiredsincetheenactmentoftheAct. PriortothattimehewasrequiredtoweartheotherPPEthatwasprovidedbyCastlemainePerkins. InanyeventthemodificationofthemannerinwhichtheworkisperformedbywearingPPEdoesnot,inourview,changethenatureoftheworkperformed,nordoesitchangetheskillandresponsibilityrequiredoftheelectricalworker;
  • therequirementtoerectsafetybarriersincertaincircumstances. Theerectionofsuchbarriersisfortheprotectionofelectricalworkersandotherpersons. Ifitinvolvesachangeinthenatureofthework,whichwedonotaccept,thenitcertainlydoesnotconstitutesuchasignificantnetadditiontoworkrequirementsoftheelectricalworkerastowarranttheintroductionoftheallowancesoughtinthisapplication;
  • therequirementoftheelectricalworkertorenewtheirlicenceseveryfiveyearsandinsodoinganswerquestionsaboutthelegislation. TheevidencebeforetheFullBenchisthatanelectricalworkercanrenewtheirlicenceonline,thattheanswersareavailableinapaperthatcanbeaccessedonline,thattheelectricalworkerisnotpreventedfromreapplyingforthelicenceoverandoveragainandthatthetimetakentocompletetheonlinequestionnairewasaboutthirtyminuteseveryfiveyears. Onceagainthisdoesnotinvolveachangeinthenatureoftheworkperformed,nordoesitchangetheskillandresponsibilityrequiredoftheelectricalworker;
  • theuseofthesafetyobserverascomparedtotheuseofthecompetentassistant. Whereasthecompetentassistantunderthepreviouslegislativearrangementscouldperformotherdutieswhilstperformingthedutiesofacompetentassistantforanelectricalworker,theroleofthesafetyobserveristoobservetheelectricalworkerandtheworkbeingperformedbythatperson. WeadoptthesubmissionofCastlemainePerkinsthattheinclusionofanotherlayerofsafetytoprotecttheelectricalworkerisnojustificationforawageincrease. Theuseofasafetyobserverdoesnotchangethenatureoftheworkbeingperformedbytheelectricalworker,nordoesitchangetheskillandresponsibilityrequiredofthatworker. Thedutiesofthesafetyobserverareperformedbyanotherperson-theyarenotperformedbytheworkerperformingtheelectricalwork;and
  • thepenaltiesprovidedforintheActandthepotentialforelectricalworkerstolosetheirlicences. WehaveformedtheviewthatthepenaltiesimposedonpersonsperformingelectricalworkbytheActdonotdiffer,inanysignificantway,fromthepenaltiesimposedonotherworkersbytheWorkplaceHealthandSafetyAct1995. WearealsonotconvincedthattheobligationsimposedbythelegislativearrangementsthatexistedpriortotheActweresubstantiallydifferenttotheobligationsimposedonelectricalworkersbytheAct. WeseemeritintheCastlemainePerkinssubmissionthatthegrantingofanallowancetocompensateelectricalworkersforthepotentialforpenaltiesand/orlossoflicencewouldresultinareallikelihoodofleapfrogging.OtherworkersfacedwithlegislativepenaltiesandlossoflicencesshouldtheyperformworknegligentlyorinanunsafemannerfacethesamepotentialundertheWorkplaceHealthandSafetyAct1995aselectricalworkersfaceundertheAct. Inanyeventweareunabletoconcludethattheimpositionofpenaltiesandthepotentiallossoflicence,evenifthenewlegislativeschemeweretohaveimposedgreaterburdensonelectricalworkers,broughtaboutachangeinthenatureoftheworktobeperformedbyelectricalworkersorachangeintheskillsandresponsibilitiesrequiredoftheelectricalworker.

[39]TheAct,theRegulationandtheCodesofPracticewereintroducedtoassistinmakingtheworkperformedbyelectricalworkerssafer. Theevidencebeforeuswouldsuggestthatsuchaviewissharedbyall. Thelegislationhasresultedinsomechangeinthemannerinwhichtheelectricalworkerperformselectricalwork,e.g.writtenriskassessments,additionalPPE,theerectionofbarriers,theuseofthesafetyobserver. However,whatisrequiredbytheWorkValuePrincipleis"thatthechangeinthenatureoftheworkshouldconstitutesuchasignificantnetadditiontoworkrequirementsastowarrantthecreationofanewclassificationorupgradingtoahigherclassification". AsthePrinciplestates"[c]hangesinworkbythemselvesmaynotleadtoachangeinwagerates". TheETUhavenotshownthatthechangeinthenatureoftheworkperformedbyelectricalworkersconstitutesasignificantnetadditiontoworkrequirements.

[40]Weadvisedthepartieson23March2006thatwehaddecidednottogranttheapplicationandthatthereasonsforourdecisionwouldbereleasedatalaterdate. Thesethenarethereasonsforourdecision.

[41]Wedismisstheapplication.

Orderaccordingly.
D.M.LINNANE,VicePresident.
D.K.BROWN,Commissioner.
J.M.THOMPSON,Commissioner.
HearingDetails:
2005 31October
24November
2006 20February
6,7,8,9,1023March / Appearances:
MsK.InglisandwithherMsP.RogersforTheElectricalTradesUnionofEmployeesQueensland.
MrJ.LawsononbehalfofCastlemainePerkinsPtyLtd.
MrS.Pawlowski,ofQueenslandChamberofCommerceandIndustryLimited,IndustrialOrganisationofEmployers.
MrM.Crimmins,ofAustralianIndustryGroup,IndustrialOrganisationofEmployers(Queensland).
Released: 12April2006

GovernmentPrinter,Queensland

TheStateofQueensland2006.