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WH&S shake-up: How could the Harlem Shake affect your workplace unexpectedly?
THE DISMISSAL of 15 employees by a Western Australian mining company, for engaging in the YouTube craze, the Harlem Shake, has far reaching consequences for workplaces in Australia, according to Ben Cooper an associate director specialising in industrial relations at Livingstones business advisers.
A total of 15 employees and contractors were dismissed for alleged 'safety breaches' after performing or watching the Harlem Shake at Agnew underground gold mine in Western Australia.
The video of the employees and contractors performing the internet craze was subsequently posted onto YouTube and went ‘viral’. That was when the company felt it had to take action, for workplace health and safety reasons.
“Whilst the dismissal of these 15 employees may seem unsympathetic it is important to note that mining companies must apply the health and safety policies consistently,” Mr Cooper said.
“A consequence of inconsistency could mean an unfavourable ruling by the Fair Work Commission.
“It is also important that all employees are highly aware of the policies, and consequences to safeguard their own health and safety in the workplace."
Mr Cooper said the dismissed Agnew mine employees advised the West Australian newspaper that those participating did not believe they had been involved in any serious safety breaches as they continued to wear helmets, lamps, and safety glasses.
However, Mr Cooper said, a number employees appear bare chested in the footage with some safety equipment removed.
“The Harlem Shake internet meme involves groups of people erratically dancing to the song, Harlem Shake, for approximately 30 seconds and posting the result to YouTube,” Mr Cooper said. “It has been estimated that since February 2, 2013, when the first Harlem Shake video was posted to YouTube, a further 40,000 videos have been posted and viewed 175 million times.
”This event, and the previous 'planking' meme, demonstrates the speed internet crazes can develop, spread and become viral," he said. There are workplace and brand consequences for companies and organisations.
"It also highlights the difficulty that employers have in predicting when and how these events might occur in the workplace," Mr Cooper said.
"To combat these safety issues occurring in your workplace we recommend employers have comprehensive workplace health and safety policies in place.
"These should cover a range of possible employee behaviours and consequences. It is also important to re-iterate health and safety policies regularly with employees so they are front of mind and curb any potential breaches before they begin."
Mr Cooper said many mine sites have 'safety moments' to discuss a potential safety breaches and how they were overcome, and this could be applied to other sectors.
"Situations like the Agnew Mine could be used as external examples on what not to do and the consequences for breaches," he said.
Livingstones, a member of the Queensland Leaders alumni, is an industrial relations, organisational development and human resources firm based in Brisbane. Mr Cooper said Livingstones has a team of 24 professional consultants, psychologists and advocates who provide specialist experience for client specific people solutions.
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