WorkCover board shake-up
08 May, 2012Last week the NSW Minister for Finance and Services Greg Pearce announced a shake-up of the WorkCover Board to address the $4.1 billion deficit and implement a reform agenda following the outcomes of the Parliamentary inquiry.
Mental illnesses cost mining industry $320-450 million a year
03 May, 2012Between 8000 to 10,000 employees in the mining industry experienced a common mental health illness over a 12-month period, reveals a report released at the recent NSW Minerals Council’s 2012 Occupational Health and Safety Conference in the Hunter. It is estimated that people from across all mining employment categories are affected equally, from managers and professionals through to machinery operators and drivers.
Sexual harassment persists in Australian workplaces, says report
27 April, 2012As part of an Australian Research Council Discovery Project, a report has been released analysing 284 sexual harassment complaints reported to all Australian, state and territory equal opportunity commissions.
Innovation needed to drive down MSD incidence rate for construction
19 April, 2012Innovation is essential to drive down musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) incidence rates for the construction industry, said John Darcy, OHS Manager, Master Builders Association, on the sidelines of trade show Safety in Action. MSD incidence rates are on the rise and more workers are ringing us about compensation claims, he added.
WorkSafe experiment delivers shocking results
16 April, 2012A mock worksite setup on a busy Melbourne street, in which two actors posing as workers asked passers-by to hand over a ‘live’ cable from one to the other, has delivered shocking results.
WorkSafe Victoria kicks off inspector recruitment campaign
11 April, 2012WorkSafe Victoria has kicked off its inspector recruitment campaign and is encouraging those who want to help keep Victoria the safest place to work in Australia to apply. Roles are available across Melbourne and regional Victoria and applications close 15 April at 5 pm.
Return to work: building on the world’s best research to improve knowledge
10 April, 2012 by Professor Niki Ellis*Statistics indicate that return to work rates have not improved in Australia over the past five years. In recent years, the focus of research internationally has been in two areas: what workplaces could do to better support people who have been unwell to return to work; and what we can do to empower workers to have more control in the return to work process.
Shielding staff from workplace accidents
02 April, 2012In a bid to reduce workplace accidents, improve workplace safety standards and performance, Decmil Australia formulated the SHIELD (safety and health in every level at Decmil) initiative. The primary objective of the program was to drive the behaviours, attitudes, decisions and actions required of all individuals within the business to achieve a working environment that is free from injury or incident. The purpose was to create a safety culture within the business that accepts nothing less than this objective.
ViSafe muscle movement sensor technology
20 March, 2012ViSafe is wireless sensor technology which measures movements and muscle activity of the low back, shoulder and upper and lower limbs for people performing work tasks.
Industrial Scientific promotes Kevin Miller to COO and VP
02 March, 2012Gas detection and monitoring equipment company Industrial Scientific Corporation has promoted Kevin Miller to the position of Chief Operating Officer and Vice President. In his new role, Miller will be responsible for sales, services, marketing, product development and manufacturing for Industrial Scientific’s portable gas detection business.
Preventable nerve injuries from treatments need attention: UO research
28 February, 2012Research from the University of Otago suggests that a stronger focus is needed on preventing accidental nerve injury during medical treatments in New Zealand.
New Chair for NSW Mine Safety Advisory Council
21 February, 2012The NSW Mine Safety Advisory Council (MSAC) has appointed John Hannaford as its Chairman. MSAC provides advice to the Minister for Resources and Energy on work health and safety in the NSW mining industry. Hannaford’s appointment as Chair of the Council follows the death of Norman Jennings late last year. Jennings had held the role since 2006.
ACTU: January employment growth exposes greed of job-slashing employers
20 February, 2012Despite a fall in the national unemployment rate, efforts must be made to minimise job losses and big corporations should not sacrifice workers in their hunger for profits, according to the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU).
A case of workplace bullying
15 February, 2012Workplace bullying is a major occupational health and safety issue - it could not only cost billions to organisations but also affect the physical and mental health of workers. It could also impact the organisational culture and lead to a number of other problems including lowered workplace productivity and absenteesim. As bullying continues to grab the headlines, it’s time persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) ensure they have proper systems in place to deal with workplace bullying.
Workers tell their stories in national insecure work enquiry hearings
14 February, 2012On Monday morning in Brisbane, workers engaged in insecure jobs had the chance to tell the Howe Inquiry how the issue impacts on their lives, their families and their budgets. The hearing was the first of two dozen to be held across Australia.
