Workplace Health and Safety: International Perspectives on Worker Representation »

DAVID WALTERS is Professor of Work Environment and Director of the Cardiff Work Environment Research Centre, UK. He has written and researched widely on the political economy of workplace health and safety, as well as its management regulation, and industrial relations.

THEO NICHOLS is Distinguished Research Professor, School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, Wales, UK. He has researched and written widely in the field of economic sociology, including on industrial injury and health and safety.

This book provides a cutting edge look at the experience of worker representation in the employment relations of workplace health and safety. Examining the extent to which existing arrangements deliver results, this book reflects on whether the effectiveness of worker representation is eroded or enhanced by current regulatory and organizational constructs.

List of Tables vii

List of Figures ix

Acknowledgements x

Notes on Contributors xi

List of Abbreviations xiii

Introduction: Representing Workers on Health and Safety in the Modern World of Work David Walters Theo Nichols 1

Part I National Arrangements for Workers' Representation: Case Studies from Europe and Australia

1 Worker Representation on Health and Safety in the UK-Problems with the Preferred Model and Beyond Theo Nichols David Walters 19

2 The Australian Framework for Worker Participation in Occupational Health and Safety Richard Johnstone 31

3 Health and Safety Committees in France: An Empirical Analysis Thomas Coutrot 50

4 Characteristics, Activities and Perceptions of Spanish Safety Representatives Ana M. García Maria J. López-Jacob Isabel Dudzinski Rafael Gadea Fernando Rodrigo 73

5 An Afterword on European Union Policy and Practice Laurent Vogel David Walters 90

Part II Challenges and Strategies for Worker Representation in the Modern World of Work

6 Precarious Employment and the Internal Responsibility System: Some Canadian Experiences Wayne Lewchuk Marlea Clarke Alice de Wolff 109

7 Employee 'Voice' and Working Environment in the New Member States: Translating Policy into Practice in the Baltic States Charles Woolfson Dace Calite Epp Kallaste 134

8 Health and Safety Representation in Small Firms: A Swedish Success that is Threatened by Political and Labour Market Changes Kaj Frick 154

9 Trade Union Strategies to Support Representation on Health and Safety in Australia and the UK: Integration or Isolation? Rebecca Loudoun David Walters 177

10 Worker Representation and Health and Safety:Reflections on the Past, Present and Future Phil James 201

References 216

Index 230