Industry News
Guidance on the safety of some nanomaterials
Safe Work Australia Chair Ann Sherry AO has released two research reports examining nanotechnology work health and safety issues. [ + ]
Fair work amendment bill lacks balance says Ai Group
“The Fair Work Amendment Bill 2013 fails to strike the right balance in achieving fairness for employees and employers, and ensuring a flexible and productive workplace relations system. The Bill includes a number of problematic provisions which should be scrutinised through a Parliamentary Committee inquiry before the Bill is considered by either House of Parliament,” said Ai Group Chief Executive Innes Willox. [ + ]
Farmers register chemicals for collection
Almost 40,000 L of obsolete agvet chemical have already been registered by farmers, rural businesses, golf courses and other ag chemical users for this year’s ChemClear collection in Queensland. [ + ]
Brush manufacturer fined after worker injured
The Industrial Court has fined a brush manufacturer after a worker’s finger was caught in a machine that had no guard in place. [ + ]
Health and safety award for gas detection solution
Industrial Scientific has announced that its gas detection as a service solution, known as iNet, was recognised as ‘Health & Safety Initiative of the Year’ at the Gulf Coast Oil & Gas Awards held in Texas last month. [ + ]
Safety got serious in Melbourne
For three days, the Melbourne Exhibition Centre was abuzz with safety innovation and insights last week, as experts and vendors at the workplace health and safety trade show dished out serious safety solutions and advice. [ + ]
Better outcomes for injured New Zealanders than ill ones
New Zealanders who fall ill experience significantly worse financial and work outcomes than those with a comparable injury, according to University of Otago research. [ + ]
Construction safety conference in Canberra
The ACT Work Health and Safety Commissioner, Mark McCabe, has announced that he will be hosting a major conference on work safety in the construction industry in Canberra in June of this year. [ + ]
Working safely around vehicles
WorkCover NSW is urging all businesses and workers to be safe when working with and around vehicles after the fourth worker since June 2012 was killed recently. [ + ]
Australian businesses are failing at first aid
St John Ambulance Australia research reveals millions of employees could be at risk due to a lack of first aid awareness. [ + ]
OHS Leaders Summit
Presentations and discussions were focussed on safety thought leadership, insight and innovation at the 2013 OHS Leaders Summit which was held in February. [ + ]
Scholarships support health, safety of women at work
SafeWork SA is calling for applications for the 2013 Augusta Zadow scholarships, which support the health and safety of women in the workplace. [ + ]
Swish award
Industrial hand cleaner wins Top Product award. [ + ]
Getting injured workers back to work
WorkSafe Victoria has launched a new campaign to help injured workers get back on their feet and back to work. [ + ]
New police and firefighters at higher risk of mental disorders
Police, firefighters and other protective services workers who are repeatedly exposed to traumatic events and are new to their profession are at greater risk of developing a psychiatric disorder, according to a new study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The researchers also found that protective services workers do not appear to have a higher prevalence of mental health problems than workers in other occupations. The study results are featured in the February 2013 issue of Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness. [ + ]