The NSW Government has warned employers that it has moved beyond educating workplaces over the risks posed by COVID-19, and is now focusing on enforcing compliance with public health orders. Businesses found in breach of an order made under the State Public Health Act 2010 can be fined up to $55,000, and a further $27,500 forRead more
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Australia’s toughest mine safety laws have officially taken effect in Queensland, with executives now facing up to 20 years’ jail if resources sector workers die because of their criminal negligence. A new independent statutory body – Resources Safety and Health Queensland – has also come into effect. It has responsibility for regulating safety and healthRead more
The UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has released its annual figures for the number of work-related fatalities in 2019/20, as well as the number of deaths from mesothelioma in 2018. The provisional annual data for work-related fatal accidents revealed that 111 workers were fatally injured at work between April 2019 and March 2020 (aRead more
Safe Work Australia (SWA) is urging employers to access a free evidence-based program designed to address the WHS risks associated with prolonged sitting, which included resources for those working at home during COVID-19. Based on over 10 years of research, employers and businesses can now sign up to the BeUpstanding trial to gain access toRead more
What’s covered? Presented by Anthony Gibbs (CEO, Sentis) A key factor common in organisations with poor safety performance is a culture of blame or avoidance. In organisations with a blame-based culture, the focus is often on finding someone or something to blame when targets are not achieved or an incident occurs. This leads to workerRead more
What’s covered? Presented by Michael Hutcheson, Mark Bluett, and Adam Hart For many businesses, emergency management planning has taken a back seat due to the sudden and widespread impacts of the current pandemic. Prior to its onset, managing Emergency Management in many facilities was a relatively straightforward task for those responsible; compliance matters were scheduled,Read more
COVID-19 pressures and the subsequent lockdowns to contain it are causing widespread sleep deprivation and a greater risk of injury, according to new research. SleepStandards recently conducted a study on the sleep of 1,000 Americans during and after the nation’s lockdown, and found 53 per cent of Americans were getting less sleep after the lockdownRead more
The new criminal offence of workplace manslaughter has commenced in Victoria, which applies to all employers, self-employed persons, or company officers who negligently cause the death of a worker or member of the public. Employers found guilty of the new OHS offence face fines of up to $16.5 million and individuals face up to 25Read more
Today, businesses hear more than ever about mental health in the workplace. Yet many businesses are often unsure what role they have to play in fostering wellness among their employees – if one at all. And even among organisations that have the desire to develop initiatives to support and maintain positive mental health outcomes forRead more
COVID-19 safety measures on fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) worksites, including longer rosters and the shutting of areas where workers socialise, have worsened the already isolating experience of FIFO work and may have long-term mental health impacts, according to the leader of a major Australian study. Dr Jess Gilbert from Curtin University’s Centre for Transformative Work Design isRead more
