The Victorian Government has urged employers to adopt a stricter threshold for respirable crystalline silica than the new national workplace exposure standard. Last year, a majority of Work Health and Safety ministers agreed to halve the workplace exposure standard for respirable crystalline silica to a time-weighted average of 0.05mg/m3 over an eight-hour day. However, theRead more
Blog
U-Haul International will soon become the first major company in its field to decline job applicants who are nicotine users, citing a committed to promoting and empowering a healthy workforce. The hiring policy will go into effect in the 21 states where it is lawful to decline hiring individuals who use nicotine products on FebRead more
As smoke from large scale bushfires across Australia impacts people’s physical and psychological health, the Australian Institute of Health & Safety (AIHS) has called for urgent evaluation which explores the proper types and use of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) by rural firefighters, before the next fire season, to contribute to greater consistency in good practicesRead more
Safe Work Australia has published a new report on work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), in which it criticises an over-reliance on administrative controls to manage risks, including lifting technique training and stretching. The Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Australia report outlines current knowledge of WMSD hazards and risk factors, including psychosocial hazards, statistics on incidence and impact, andRead more
SafeWork Australia is reminding businesses of their obligations surrounding working in air pollution, as parts of Australia experience reduced outdoor air quality as a result of bushfire smoke and airborne dust. The national regulator says workplaces must have measures in place to protect worker health and safety and manage the risks of working outdoors. “ConsiderRead more
While many employers are alive to addressing mental health for their people, there is a long way to go before most organisations reach a level of safety maturity in this space, according to law firm Maddocks. Mentally healthy workplaces involve leaders understanding the mental health hazards and risk and taking steps to address them. Unfortunately,Read more
SafeWork NSW has visited hundreds of businesses and issued over 600 improvement and prohibition notices as part of its ongoing five-year strategy to reduce silicosis risks in the State. The cross-industry program aims to bring increased awareness of silicosis and standardised practices of exposure prevention. SafeWork NSW said it had visited every stone manufacturing businessRead more
Australia recently released a four-year strategic plan for asbestos awareness and management that outlines four national priorities designed to complement existing asbestos policies and actions at all levels of government. The import and use of asbestos and asbestos-containing products is prohibited in Australia, however, a large amount of asbestos still remains in the built environment. “UnderRead more
While most organisations mean well when it comes to improving workplace mental health, there remains a significant gap between mental ill-health awareness and mental health action, according to an expert. Some of the biggest issues for organisations lie in defining success and excellence when it comes to workplace mental health programmes and mental health outcomes.Read more
SafeWork Australia has released a decision regulation impact statement on the framework for workplace exposure standards under the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws and how it should be kept up to date going forward. It said the decision was informed by an extensive consultation process, including a business survey and consultation regulation impactRead more
