Employers are being urged to consider the significant health and safety risks posed by sickness presenteeism and to establish cultural norms that encourage workers to take sick leave when they are ill. Psychologists say the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise in remote working arrangements are exacerbating these risks, and that employees should be encouraged toRead more
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Moderated by Malcolm Fabiny Speakers: Zayne Baggot, Cassandra Fernandez, Joe Stanek, Jo Morris What’s covered? It is not uncommon for a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) to encounter asbestos during normal day-to-day work that has, or has not, been previously identified. This is more evident during the demolition or refurbishment of a building,Read more
There are conflicting tensions in many workplaces when it comes to employee wellbeing and workplace safety throughout COVID-19, according to Edith Cowan University. For the most part, Australian organisations have excelled in navigating the challenges of 2020 from an employee wellbeing perspective; inclusive of the response to COVID19 as well as the bushfires earlier inRead more
The Black Dog Institute has urged employers to stop wasting time with frivolous mental health awareness campaigns and instead introduce proven programs to support their colleagues. In its new white paper, the Black Dog Institute says more tangible support is needed for those who actually require mental health assistance, rather than simply urging everyone toRead more
More than one in three COVID-19-related workers’ compensation claims involve mental health issues, according to a new report from Safe Work Australia (SWA). SWA has collected preliminary data on the 533 COVID-19 related workers’ compensation claims up until July 31 2020 (the number of current claims is expected to be much higher). 202 were forRead more
It has been important for leaders at The University of Sydney to be very visible and clear about their own safety leadership through the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the university’s director of safety, health and wellbeing, Julia Cohen. “COVID -19 came as a huge surprise to the University just as it did to all organisations,”Read more
As COVID-19 restrictions gradually ease across Australia, Comcare recently released guidance to help employers support workers as they transition back to usual workplaces. Employers must follow local conditions and the relevant state and territory restrictions as part of their transition planning. Transition plans should be tailored to meet relevant industry or geographic circumstances and respondRead more
Information-exchange laws that assist WHS regulators to target employers exposing workers to deadly occupational dust diseases such as silicosis and asbestos have passed NSW Parliament. Under the NSW Work Health and Safety Amendment (Information Exchange) Bill 2020, NSW Health will be required to provide information to SafeWork NSW or the Resources Regulator to assist inRead more
Employees and employers across NSW whose mental health has been impacted by the onset of COVID-19 are being encouraged to take part in a community consultation that will help drive how the NSW Government supports people when they need help most. In order to hear from as many people as possible, the NSW Government hasRead more
A big challenge for many organisations when it comes to occupational hygiene and management of COVID-19 related risks is around rearranging physical space and flow, to limit human congestion, according to the University of Adelaide. The most important exposure scenario is people speaking face to face in proximity, without protection such as shields and respirators,Read more
