A comparative study of worker representation on safety and health in coal mining

1. Cardiff Work Environment Research Centre A comparative study of worker representation on safety and health in coal mining David Walters Cardiff University

2. What this presentation is about Some preliminary reflections on the findings of a comparative study of experiences of representing workers on safety and health in coal mines in five countries

3. First some background: What do we know? Strong research evidence of positive association between presence of trade union supported health and safety representatives and improved OHS outcomes in many sectors Only a few studies in coal mining – despite long-standing regulatory arrangements— but they show improved OHS performance in unionised coalmines Recent Queensland study suggests representatives were effective in getting important OHS matters addressed and resolved

4. What can we learn from resrearch to explain this association? ‘Determinants of effectiveness’ identified in previous studies include: Strong regulatory measures Management commitment Engagement of regulatory inspectors and commitment to participatory approach Workforce support Union support and training, Wider contexts? All such determinants identified in previous research were strongly in evidence in present study in Australia and (to a lesser extent) in Canada except ‘management commitment’. Instead, there was evidence of efforts to marginalise reps. Elsewhere the picture is more mixed

5. What are we doing? Arrangements for representative worker particpation on OSH in coal mines in five different national economic and regulatory settings – in Australia, Canada, India, Indonesia and South Africa A qualitative study, indicative but hopefully, significant findings, which may influence policy and perhaps prompt further study Research aims to identify factors that contribute support or barriers to the role of worker representation in OSH in different national regulatory and economic settings. And perhaps more fundamentally, tries to better understand this contribution to making mines safer places to work

6. The background Coal mining is still a hazardous industry Often conflictual industrial relations Long-standing special rights on worker representation (WR) on OSH in mining some countries More recent process-based regulatory standards on OSH management – commonly include arrangements for WR on OSH— are now world-wide and usually include ‘consultation’ consultation also a requirement of ILO Convention 176 on OSH in mining and others on OSH more widely So - what happens in practice and what determines this in different countries?

7. 1) Research methods Three elements — Review of the literature: On mining hazards; OHS management in mines; and worker representation on OHS generally and with in mines in particular Historical review of the development of provisions on WR in OSH in mining Field work in five countries Interviews with trade unions nationally and regionally, union workplace OSH representatives, miners and Government inspectors, other key informants Analysis of documentary evidence Triangulation

8. Findings from the countries? From Indonesia to Australia Variety of regulatory approaches Variety of practice and effectiveness Health and safety representatives or joint health and safety committees — does it matter? How have they developed? – bottom up or top down? Union or management appointments? The rights and functions of representatives The determinants of effectiveness – where are they? Training and effectiveness? What are the wider determinants? The question of labour relations and the maturity of systems What are their links to effectiveness?

9. What of the wider determinants? • Core finding: Worker representation has strong potential to improve OSH in mining. But uptake and practice varies • Why? • Takes us to wider reflections concerning the nature of power, the role of the state, and the prevailing political economy in determining extent of protection for workers’ health and safety. • Re-consideration of frames adopted by OHS research and question their sense within these contexts? • Is such repositioning helpful understanding effects of capital’s capture of governance in neo-liberal regimes • Will it lead to other ways of understanding the contexts of engagement in ‘co-operation on OSH’? • What is the role of ‘the global’ in supporting developments?

10. Thank you !