The Victorian Government has extended regulations, for at least 12 months, that require employers to notify WorkSafe Victoria of workplace COVID-19 cases. Occupational Health and Safety (COVID-19 Incident Notification) Regulations 2021 requires employers to notify WorkSafe immediately on becoming aware that an employee (or an independent contractor or a contractor’s employee) has received a confirmedRead more
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Employers may be able to implement a mandatory vaccination policy where it is critical to staff safely performing their roles – despite the lack of a direct government order mandating COVID-19 vaccinations, according to a senior WHS and employment lawyer. Swaab Partner Michael Byrnes said that in order to be in a position to issueRead more
The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) says it is ready to assist the federal government with its vaccine rollout plans, but wants better business protections against any adverse vaccine reactions experienced by workers. Ai Group, a national employer organisation, participated in a business roundtable with Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul KellyRead more
A new UK study shows over a third of people who had COVID-19 experienced symptoms lasting at least 12 weeks. Based on self-reported data from over 500,000 adults aged 18 and above, rounds three to five of REACT-2 studies were carried out between September 2020 and February 2021. Around a fifth of participants reported havingRead more
COVID-19 vaccinations will become mandatory for all residential aged care workers, following a decision made at an emergency national cabinet meeting this week. As a condition of working in the sector, aged care workers will be required to get at least the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by mid-September, as the country deals withRead more
The sudden increase in teleworking from home during the COVID-19 pandemic has put workers at greater risk of musculoskeletal disorders and mental health problems, according to a new international report. The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work’s (EU-OSHA) report looks at these risks, the benefits and problems arising from teleworking, and the EURead more
A number of key US organisations and safety experts are urging government agency leaders to clarify what the new CDC guidance for fully vaccinated people means for all workplaces. Eight leading organisations, collectively representing approximately 1 million union workers and experts in safety, have sent a letter to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) andRead more
There were 1222 workers’ compensation claims related to COVID-19 lodged in 2020, and of these, 974 claims were accepted, 127 were rejected and 121 are still pending, according to new Safe Work Australia data. Of the 1095 accepted and pending claims lodged last year, 826 were for workers who had contracted COVID-19, 212 were forRead more
Victorian businesses found intentionally flouting COVID-19 rules – such as the requirement to use QR Code systems – will be slapped with a new $1,652 on-the-spot fine. Where there are repeated breaches, a further $9,913 fine can be issued and businesses may be prosecuted in court for continued, blatant or willful non-compliance. Venues and facilitiesRead more
A new SafeWork NSW study has found that 38 per cent of supervisors and 27 per cent of workers reported feeling mentally unwell in the last 12 months, and of those, 53 per cent and 45 per cent respectively said the negative change in their mental health was directly brought on by COVID-19. The studyRead more
