After initially rejecting Endeavour Energy’s application to implement a mandatory, urine-based, on-site drug testing regime for its employees, the Fair Work Australia Full Bench has once again decided against the company, rejecting its appeal and arguing that urine testing is invasive and unnecessary. [ + ]

Conducting a fit test to ensure that a respirator with a tight-fitting facepiece provides an adequate seal to the wearer’s face is deemed best practice as part of a respiratory protection program. [ + ]

In a recently published report titled 'Bystander Approaches to Sexual Harassment in the Workplace',  Paula McDonald, Queensland University of Technology and Michael Flood, University of Wollongong, demonstrate the potential for bystander approaches to make a real difference in preventing and addressing sexual harassment as a costly and damaging workplace harm. Read on to find out more. [ + ]

When looking at workplace injury prevention, I often see a gap in between the work done stopping any kind of injury occur in the first place and the treatment provided once an injury has turned into a WorkCover claim. [ + ]

On 12 June 2012, the International Agency for Research for Cancer (IARC), which is part of the World Health Organisation (WHO), changed its classification of diesel exhaust from Class 2A (probably carcinogenic to humans) to Class 1 (carcinogenic to humans). [ + ]

When manhole lids get stuck, workers have traditionally resorted to the use of various tools, with the potential to injure personnel, equipment and assets. To address this issue and improve employee safety, Melbourne-based company iota thought of developing a device which would enable workers to lift jammed lids and allow them to carry out work from a safe distance. [ + ]

The Safety Show returns to Sydney this October from 23 to 25 October 2012. The trade show will provide visitors an opportunity to learn about the latest developments and find the latest OHS products, services and ideas. [ + ]

For Simon National Carriers, an Australian provider of transport, third-party warehousing and distribution services, equipment safety and reliability were key considerations for achieving efficiency gains. [ + ]

The patented IC Safety System developed by New Eye Company consists of two components: a pair of IC Safety Frames and an inner Astralon optical foil that includes the wearer’s prescription lenses, offering distortion-free optical correction in all workplace environments. [ + ]

On the three-year anniversary of the Fair Work Act 2009, the latest AMMA Workplace Relations Research report, on its operation and impact on the resource industry, has shown an ongoing deterioration of the Australian workplace relations (WR) environment. [ + ]

NSW Trade & Investment recently issued a safety alert after a mine worker suffered serious injuries, including the loss of his leg, after falling about 14 m down a mine shaft. [ + ]

An invasion of bumblebees may sound like something best dealt with by an exterminator but for some towns this isn’t a viable solution. Bumblebees is an often derogatory term used to described the yellow, fluorescent-striped uniform-wearing miners who are perceived as infiltrating family-based communities, bringing with them inflated housing and food prices, drunken bad behaviour and lack of engagement with the local community.  It is easy to have some sympathy for these townships and communities; however, a balance needs to be struck in order for Australia to remain a prosperous nation enjoying world-leading employment, health and lifestyle. [ + ]

The recent Fair Work Australia ruling in the Endeavour Energy v CEPU, ASU, APESMA case has again sparked a debate on drugs and alcohol testing in the workplace. Most of us agree that drug testing is vital in maintaining a safe and drug-free workplace; however, there still remains much-debated controversy about the most appropriate method for drug testing. [ + ]

For many businesses, scissor lift systems are a second line consideration and not seen as a part of the business that has the potential to raise efficiencies. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear why this view may be limited. [ + ]

Since July 2011, New South Wales has witnessed a total of 55 incidents where cranes, machinery and other mobile plant have come into contact with power lines. This has prompted WorkCover to issue an alert reminding businesses, industry and workers of the dangers arising when operating mobile plant near energised overhead power lines. [ + ]