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
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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
Workplace absenteeism (the inability to go to work) and presenteeism (the inability to fully function at work) due to mental ill-health costs from $13 billion to $17 billion per year, according to a recent Productivity Commission report. Furthermore, the typical cost of a mental health-related claim was $25,650 (compared with $10,600 for all other claims)Read more
Construction workers are more likely to use drugs than workers in other industries, according to new American research. The study from New York University, which was published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence, found construction workers were the most likely of all occupations to use cocaine and misuse prescription opioids, as well as the secondRead more
Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is still prevalent today and office spaces are negatively affecting our physical and mental health, according to a new survey from Remark Group. A survey of over 1,000 UK office workers found that 80 per cent think that poor indoor air quality could be having a negative impact on their healthRead more
A focus on mental illness and mental health disorders miscategorises the nature of the issue, according to an expert in the area, who said that the big issues that impact performance, productivity and engagement in workplaces are everyday stress-related issues. These include life, work and personal concerns that cause tension and stress, and which canRead more
The NSW Government has announced plans to halve the workplace exposure standard (WES) for silica, however the Greens say it is not enough to protect workers and that manufactured stone goods should be banned entirely. State Better Regulation and Innovation Minister Kevin Anderson said the government would support SafeWork Australia’s recommendation to reduce the WESRead more
People working in rural areas of Queensland were recently warned to take steps to guard against Q fever as drought conditions persist and dust and high winds increase the risk of the disease spreading. Q fever is a serious bacterial disease which infects livestock, especially cattle, sheep and goats, while other animals, including kangaroos and wallabies,Read more
