UnionsACT statement on resignation of Mark McCabe

UnionsACT thanks Mark McCabe for his service to and promotion of workplace safety for working people in the ACT.

Mr McCabe was responsible for implementing a range of improvements to workplace safety, including commencing implementation of the Getting Home Safely Report.

Unions have appreciated the cooperative approach taken by Mr McCabe towards unions and employee representatives. He took a lead in challenging the culture of disregard and complacency towards safety amongst employers that led to the Getting Home Safely report in 2013.

Under Mr McCabe, work safety inspections increased in 2014 by 150 percent, and the number of safety breaches identified by inspectors increased by 43 percent. The number of reactive visits was up 26 percent, to 2,384 visits. The number of active field inspectors increased by over 36 percent. Serious workplace injury claims in the same period dropped in the ACT from 11.9 per 1000 employees to 9.6.

The Work Safety Commissioner is an important statutory role in ensuring that all workers have safe workplaces.

UnionsACT looks forward to prompt and consultative tripartite process to appoint Mr McCabe’s replacement.

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