I SUPPORT Charles Ifu’s letter “Safety laws not only outdated but laughable” (Jan 8). The writer is spot on.
Our Government has failed on the issue of occupational health and safety (OHS).
Health, safety and welfare are not the privilege but the right of an individual.
A responsible government should enact laws to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens.
So far, since the enactment of OHS and Welfare Act from the colonial days, it has never been revisited to make necessary amendments.
I agree with the writer that the act is not only outdated, but laughable.
If the Government is serious about the health, safety and welfare of the people, then it is only appropriate to embark on establishing a WorkCover Authority similar to those in Australia and New Zealand, a government entity on its own.
The Government should invite the Queensland state government to help set up a WorkCover.
We don’t have to replicate everything but get it started and continue from there.
The WorkCover will then maintain the check and balance of every industry to vigilantly comply with OHS practices to ensure the public is protected.

N. Waiyo
Newcastle, Australia