Representing miners in arrangements for safety and health in coal mining: a global study - Volume 1: A comparative analysis of findings from five countries

Abstract

The research examined the history of representation on occupational health and safety (OSH) and the nature, operation and contexts of present-day arrangements for worker representation on OSH in coal mining in five countries with different economic profiles: Australia, Canada, India, Indonesia and South Africa. In each case, relevant statutory provisions concerning worker representation on OSH in coal mining provided the starting point for case study-based qualitative investigation of practice. The investigation explored participants’ experiences of the operation of the arrangements in each country and identified factors supporting or constraining them. Drawing together findings from each of these countries allowed some international comparisons to be made of the determinants of effective representative participation in OSH in coal mining globally. This enabled reflection on questions of transfer and sustainability in a global industry, what determines their effectiveness and therefore improves the effectiveness of representation generally on OSH, as well as the conditions necessary to support this. - Volume 1, A comparative analysis of findings from five countries. - Volume 2, Case studies in five countrie