Conclusion:
What public awareness exists today about breaches in ‘duty of care’ agreements, have come out as the result of litigations from affected employees. Law suits arising out of management’s callous attitude toward employee care are more numerous in the private sector compared to the public sector. This is because of the steep competition in a free-market capitalist system. Under this system, the profit motive often overrules people’s interests (including that of employees). One could say that the Corporate Social Responsibility movement witnessed in the last decade is a reaction to the distorted priorities within the capitalist economy. As employees are part of the society too, the concept of duty of care can be seen as the precursor to CSR movement. Hence, in my role as OHS Manager, I would try to follow the letter of the law and the spirit of social responsibility, so as to create an atmosphere of trust and harmony between the employees and the management. (Fenton, et.al, 2007)
References:
Archer, R., Borthwick, K., Tepe, S 2009, OH&S A management guide, 2, Cengage Learning, Victoria Australia.
Gunningham, N and Johnstone, R. (2004) Regulating workplace safety. Systems and Sanctions. UK:Oxford Press
International Labour Organisation (1998). Encyclopaedia of occupational health and safety. Geneva.
http://www.hse.gov.uk The United Kingdoms OHS authority is an excellent source of information on hazards (see subject index) or publications for essay research.
Hopkins, A., 1999. Managing Major Hazards: The Lessons of the Moura Mine Disaster. Allen &Unwin, London.
South Australia’s occupational, health, safety and welfare Act of 1986 section 19, retrieved from <http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/sa/consol_act/ohsawa1986336/s19.html> on 23rd August, 2012
South Australia – OHS lawsuits, retrieved from <http://www.safework.sa.gov.au/show_page.jsp?id=111466> on 23rd August, 2012
Brian Daniel, Death Blamed on a Lack of Basic Safety; Report Slams Failures in ‘Duty of Care’. (2010, January 21). The Journal (Newcastle, England), p. 20.
Fenton, J. W., Kelley, D. E., Ruud, W. N., & Bulloch, J. A. (2007). Employer Legal Liability for Employee Workplace Violence. SAM Advanced Management Journal, 62(4), 44+.
Murphy, L. R., & Cooper, C. L. (2000). Healthy and Productive Work: An International Perspective. London: Taylor & Francis.