Greater transparency and public engagement about the potential opportunities and risks presented by nanotechnology is required, according to a new report by The Australia Institute.

At a recent Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council meeting, government Ministers finalised the harmonisation of model work health and safety laws.

Some important amendments to the model Safe Work Act 2009 were recommended by Safe Work Australia to the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council (WRMC) when the WRMC met on 11 December 2009.

A mobile skin cancer practice has released a new report with alarming statistics about the high risk of skin cancer to outdoor workers in Australia.

The updated industrial fall arrest standard AS/NZS 1891.4 2009 contains an appendix that provides valuable additional information and guidance on the provision of training and competence.

Workplace injuries are a serious factor that every business, manager and staff member must think about. Not only do injuries impact on workers' health but on absenteeism, loss of income and even loss of jobs.

Many workers have to regularly access elevated points on buildings or structures to perform routine maintenance or other tasks using fixed ladders that are built into or onto a structure. In these situations, it’s common for building owners or designers to install a cage around the ladder, mistakenly believing this will mitigate the risk of injury from workers falling off the ladder.

All humans differ in size and shape, so PPE can’t be designed under the assumption that we’re all physically identical. Some PPE, such as footwear, clothing and gloves, is available in a wide choice of sizes and styles to suit individuals. Safety professionals are aware of these choices and select styles and sizes according to individual wearers. However, when it comes to other categories, like respiratory protection, this biological fact often may be overlooked.

Safety apparel must be selected to suit the applications and hazards that the workers who wear them need protection against. While it’s quite common to purchase ‘one-size-fits-all’ safety coveralls, for example, we can’t assume that one size fits all applications. There are situations where a single type of garment or coverall suits only specific purposes, just as there are situations where disposable coveralls are better than full-blown safety suits.

Construction companies considering undertaking government construction projects as head contractor for federally funded building works valued at $3 million or more may need to be accredited under the Australian Government Building and Construction OHS Accreditation Scheme.

Cost-benefit analysis is a challenging element of safety management because managers can choose between adequate safety and possible benefits from production with a lower level of safety. OHS law in most states allows for an almost formal assessment in managing a hazard or risk ‘as far as is reasonably practicable’. But what if that hazard is unknown? Does that mean that a cost-benefit analysis is easy because the cost cannot be determined?

According to St John Ambulance, sudden cardiac arrest strikes around 30,000 Australians each year and alarmingly, fewer than 5% survive.

The standard AS/NZS 1891.4 that covers the selection, use and maintenance of industrial fall arrest systems and devices has recently been updated with important changes to the previous edition.

Metal lathes are dangerous machines that can cause serious injury. A simple interlocked chuck guard that prevents the machine from starting while open can reduce most lathe safety risks. These guards and controls are adaptable for just about every brand of lathe and, applied correctly can eliminate risks without depending on human behaviour.

Protector Alsafe and Victoria University (VU) collaborated to provide an opportunity for a group of Diploma of OHS students to have a ‘hands-on’ approach in the investigation of a mock confined space incident.