Amalgamated Batteries meeting ‘successful’

Press, 26 July 1980, Page 6

Amalgamated Batteries meeting ‘successful’

A long-awaited report by the Health Department on lead levels at the Woolston factory of Amalgamated Batteries has been released, but is confidential. r, ; Lead workers, members of the Engineers’ Union, have been pressing for better conditions at the factory but the company has . maintained that its conditions are satisfactory- Workers have been walking- put when fellowworkers .'have been stood down for a day when the lead' concentration in their blood has been excessive; ; - The 20-page report contained a number recommendations, which; the Medical; .Officer of; Health - in Christchurch (Dr W. A. Mai-

press) said helped to remove “a difficult situation.” A statement issued by Dr Malpress after a meeting between representatives of the Health Department, the Labour Department, Amalgamated Batteries, and the Engineers’ Union- does not list the recommendations made by the occupational health team but it says that the meeting was .veryy successful.*. .

Dr Malpress said -the re-: port, which was requested by both the management and the’ union, related specific-, ally to the factory of Amalgamated Batteries, although many of the findings might i have . wide implications throughout the ; lead -industry.'' ' “The ’' recommendations

were made in the context of recent rapid changes within the industry which included a response to ever, tightening safety requirements.

“The steady progress over the last three to four years was discussed : and future strategies were agreed on by all parties.” Dr Malpress said the aim of the report was to indicate to all parties the directions for future’ developments in management, work. layout, and work methods.

“The atmosphere throughout the long, detailed, and dp w n-to-earth discussion was co-operative only cordial and showed the need for the total involvement of. all cbncemed ?using : the C team approach,” Dr Malpress said.