Activity+8+–+EEO+&+anti-discrimination

Task:
Give an example how **EEO or anti-discrimination legislation** might affect OHS in your workplace. Review that section of the reading notes carefully before you answer this question. If you’re not sure, discuss this with a work colleague or supervisor, another student or your teacher.

Response:
I have been lucky enough to work for a maritime training organisation that follows the principles of EEO to a tee. In fact, their main focus is employing, training and securing future employment for disadvantaged people, particularly of indigenous descent. These 'trainees' are often unfamiliar with both the work environment and safety procedures. While a lot of the procedures may seem like common sense to someone who has worked on the water before, a teenager from a remote inland community may not be aware of the risks that are present, and how to minimise them.

When I first got my deckhand's ticket, I made some terrible mistakes. I almost had my hand crushed between a bollard and a deck rail while berthing at Clark Island. It was the quick thinking skipper who saved the day, screaming at me to pull my hand out while he put the boat out of gear. Without his watchful eye and quick thinking, I have no doubt I would have been injured. It was a tremendous feeling of relief when I felt the pressure leave my hand and I pulled it away. A quick shout from me of "I'm alright skip" followed, and we went straight back to it. With my shaky hand I threw the eye of the line onto the bollard and I secured the vessel.

As soon as the skipper had shut down the engines he came storming down from the wheelhouse, his eyes firmly set on me. What I thought was going to be me getting thrown in the water for being stupid, turned into a remarkably simple exchange between the skipper and myself:

Skipper: "Do you know what you did wrong?" Me: "Yes, I put my hand in between the boat and the wharf" Skipper: "Will you ever do it again?" Me: "Most certainly not."

I believe that I was only employed by the organisation due to its strong EEO ethos, and its overall goal of giving everybody a chance. Sydney Ferries or a private vessel would not have hired me because to them I was inexperienced, having only had my deckhand ticket for a short time. It was this inexperience that had caused me to nearly crush my hand. However; it was the attentive skipper, full of concern for his crew and aware of hazards and emergency procedures that was the star. If I was working for a charter boat company that did not have the experience and procedures in place for dealing with new crew, I would have sustained that injury and probably many more.

I believe that the Equal Employment Opportunity opens doors for people who would not otherwise get a chance to do what they want to do. While they may be inexperienced, like I was, or come from a difficult background, or even be disabled, everyone has the right to a fair go and a chance to gain skills and employment. They also have the right to work in a safe environment, with OH & S policies and procedures that ensure their safety. The organisation has