EPMU involvement in Government funded health and safety initiative for safe Canterbury rebuild

Building effective health and safety systems for workers involved in the rebuild of Christchurch is a key objective for the country's largest private sector union, the EPMU, which is participating in a government funded health and safety initiative announced today.

The Government is providing $300,000 from the Employment Relations Education Contestable Fund for health and safety initiatives designed to ensure a safe rebuild of Canterbury.

As a major union representing workers in the construction sector, the EPMU will be engaging with construction companies, business groups, health and safety training providers, other unions and government agencies to ensure there are integrated and effective health and safety systems in place for the rebuild.

"This initiative provides a unique opportunity for the rebuild of Christchurch to have a highly co-ordinated and integrated approach to health and safety," says Ged O'Connell, EPMU assistant national secretary. "We are particularly pleased to see Government support for health and safety representative training and support - and the opportunity this provides for the development of a strong worker voice in the drive to achieve high standards of health and safety on all jobs."

Mr O'Connell says the key target groups for the health and safety re-build initiative are the sub-contracting companies who are working in residential, commercial and infrastructure reconstruction.

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