"During the past three decades there has been a significant transformation of work arrangements in countries like Australia, characterized by a relative decline in permanent/secure full-time employees and a commensurate growth in short-term contract, casual and other contingent work arrangements. This shift poses a significant challenge for OHS legislation that was designed on a presumption of employment relationships and a level of unionization that are now no longer the norm. In particular, these changes undermine the mechanisms for worker involvement that were a critical component of post-Robens legislative reform in Australia and many other countries and which have been shown to be important in achieving tangible improvement in health and safety outcomes. This paper has highlighted the extent of these deficiencies, including the virtual exclusion of subcontractors, the self-employed and leased workers, from participatory mechanisms (notably workplace health and safety committees and being represented by HSRs). ..."

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