AN170120 – Metal and Engineering Industry Award

PART VIII - OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, TOOLS AND AMENITIES 

1. PROTECTIVE CLOTHING, EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS

(a) Damage to clothing and tools - compensation to the extent of the damage sustained shall be made where in the course of the work, clothing or tools are damaged or destroyed (by fire or molten metal or through the use of corrosive substances).

PROVIDED that the employer's liability in respect of tools shall be limited to such tools of trade as are ordinarily required for the performance of the employee's duties.

(b) Gas masks - the employer shall ensure that sufficient gas masks are available to enable each employee, when engaged on repairs to refrigeration plants outside the employer's premises, to take one with such person.

(c) Gloves - suitable canvas or leather gloves shall be provided by employers for operators of pneumatic tools and/or punch shearing machines and suitable gloves or pads for such other work as required.

(d) Goggles - suitable mica or other goggles shall be provided by the employer for each employee using emery wheels or where used by more than one employee such goggles shall be sterilised before being used by another employee. An employee when working on emery wheels shall wear the goggles provided for their protection. Goggles containing celluloid shall not be considered suitable for the purposes of this provision.

(e) Masks - where necessary suitable masks shall be provided for employees required to use compressed air for blowing dust from electrical machinery or equipment. An employee when performing such work shall wear the mask provided for their protection. Masks containing celluloid shall not be considered suitable for the purposes of this provision.

(f) Protective clothing - galvanising, etc - employers shall provide suitable protective aprons, rubber gloves, and rubber boots or clogs, to employees engaged in the manual handling of materials over hot galvanising or tinning pots or pickling or planting baths.

(g) Protective Equipment - Welding - Employers shall provide a sufficient supply of the undermentioned equipment to enable each welder and their assistant when engaged on work necessitating its use to be supplied with same:

(i) suitable fire and heatproof materials;

(ii) hand screen or helmets fitted with coloured glass (or in the case of oxy-acetylene operators protective glasses with side shield);

(iii) anti-flash goggles;

(iv) aprons, leather sleeves and leggings (or coveralls of flameproof material) and gauntlet gloves, and

(v) gum or other insulating boots when working in places so damp that danger of electric shock exists.

An employee who is pursuant to this subclause supplied with any of the equipment specified herein shall wear or use as the case may be such equipment in such a way as to achieve the purpose for which it is supplied. Where electric arc operators are working, screens which shall be suitable and sufficient for the purpose shall be provided by the employer for the protection of employees from flash.

(h) Tools - the employer shall provide for each employee such tools of trade as required for the carrying out of such functions relevant to the occupational stream. The employee shall replace or pay for any tools so provided if lost or damaged through negligence.

(i) Patternmakers at the conclusion of their employment shall be allowed one hour for grinding tools.

(j) Clothing -

(i) Employees engaged in the servicing of amusement and/or vending machines shall:

(1) if engaged on outside servicing work be issued with a sufficient number of dust coats to ensure that their appearance will be in keeping with their occupation; or

(2) if engaged on cleaning work in which a liquid cleaner is used be supplied with suitable protective clothing.

(ii) Where an employer requires an employee to wear outer clothing or protective clothing of a distinctive colour or style, such clothing shall be supplied by the employer without cost to the employee. The cost of repair and replacement of such clothing shall likewise be the responsibility of the employer.

(iii) For employees not elsewhere provided for in this clause, the employer is to supply and maintain overalls as required.

(iv) Draughting employees shall not be required to provide more than the following items of equipment: compasses, two set squares, protractor, a 40 cm scale, slide rule and a pocket calculator.