Over the last 10 years, the safety maturity of many commercial and industrial sectors has increased dramatically. No longer is it just the safety managers or supervisors prioritising safety in the workplace, so are workers on all levels. [ + ]

Working at heights continues to be a key issue within the safety world and despite continual education we still see workers falling both with safety systems in place and without. [ + ]

In order to engage and influence the board on safety issues, safety professionals need to be good storytellers. They also need to have the courage to intervene when required. But most importantly, they need to make business sense. These were some of the key messages from day one of the OHS Leaders Summit which is being held in Noosa. [ + ]

A mine site worker who was hospitalised for dehydration three times in a month says his condition only improved after he started drinking Sqwincher rehydration drinks. [ + ]

A study published in Traffic Injury Prevention has found that drivers take more and longer glances at electronic billboards than regular signs, indicating a possible link between these digital signs and highway crashes. [ + ]

Fire safety is an important responsibility for anyone managing a business or facility of any size. To ensure the safety of building or site occupants, it is vital that an adequate fire protection solution is in place and that sufficient fire safety training is provided to building occupants. It is also important that any fire protection equipment on site is routinely serviced so that it is kept in proper working order and ready when needed. [ + ]

A Kansas State University researcher studied cyberloafing - wasting time at work on the internet - and the effects of internet use policies and punishment on reducing cyberloafing. [ + ]

US researchers from Lighting Research Center and Penn State have identified links between visibility and safety from roadway lighting. [ + ]

The role of handheld devices and PDAs (personal digital assistants) has gradually increased from ‘toys’ used by early adopters to day-to-day tools deployed by organisations that want to improve their staff’s productivity and minimise unnecessary administrative tasks. [ + ]

In March, the Melbourne Exhibition Centre will play host to hundreds of businesses working to keep Australians safe. Experts from all over the country will converge to talk about the latest technology and know-how for three days at Safety In Action (Tuesday 19 to Thursday 21 March 2013). [ + ]

The increase in mine productivity has led to a proportional increase in the size of the equipment used. Most vehicles have considerable operator blind spots, due to scale alone. Despite the best efforts of operators, accidents on mine sites remain an industry-wide problem. The reasons for accidents are diverse, so too are the collision scenarios. [ + ]

Dealing with one of safety's toughest challenges - funding projects on worksites that senior managers never see - fall prevention specialist Carl Sachs* has also become expert at attracting funding for OHS. Here, he shares the secrets of successful investment in safety. [ + ]

As the importance of noise abatement grows so does the demand for better acoustic building components. Scientists are developing new solutions: aesthetically good-looking and flexibly applicable micro-perforated sound absorbers. [ + ]

An international study has found that although personal protective equipment is recommended and worn, many people are still at risk of getting asthma caused by exposure to harmful substances at work. [ + ]

Fifty Victorian volunteer firefighters ingested capsules capable of monitoring their vital signs and core temperature during a training exercise. [ + ]