Blog

In response to the emergence of the gig economy and the changing nature of work, the UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published new research on its risks and benefits in hopes of informing future occupational safety and health policy. Gig economy work is characterised by short-term informal working relationships where work is generally on-demand,Read more

Today, information is spread at the touch of a button, and the modern public demand accountability and transparency. Rather than shy away from this, successful companies take advantage of it. Health and safety initiatives are used not only to avoid a bad reputation, but also to build a good one. The companies at the forefrontRead more

A safety climate is the shared set of perceptions and expectations that workers have regarding safety in their organisation at any given time. But how does this safety climate affect how workers approach their day-to-day work, and any health and safety concerns that may arise? The literature says the impact is significant. A 2005 studyRead more

Too many organisations still believe they have to choose between safety and productivity. There is a view, particularly among smaller companies, that health and safety directives exist to stifle the productivity within an organisation. But safety and productivity are not competing ideals. You do not need to sacrifice one, in order to achieve the other.Read more

Young workers living with more than one health condition such as arthritis, asthma, and anxiety are significantly less productive in the workplace, according to new Curtin University research. Researchers said the number of young workers suffering from multiple health conditions is expected to rise in the coming years, and that it was vital employers took earlyRead more

Typically, the benefits of health and safety systems are framed in terms of cost-avoidance. Organisations are constantly reminded that health and safety failure is expensive. And whilst this is certainly true, there are benefits to health and safety success that go beyond cost-avoidance. Today, successful organisations view safety as an asset, and health and safetyRead more

Researchers say they have discovered a simple sleep strategy that can reduce shift workers’ risk of fatigue and safety incidents in the workplace. The study, which was conducted by sleep disorder experts from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in the US, claims to have found the best sleep pattern for night shift workers to get adequateRead more

A new study from Curtin University has found no evidence to suggest that lifting with a rounded, flexed back causes an increased risk of low back pain. The research, published in the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, reviewed all the available research, which included 12 articles involving 697 participants, to investigate whether lifting withRead more

Companies that implement robust mental health programs see a significant return on investment within three years, according to new research from Deloitte Canada. The first-of-its-kind research found companies with mental health programs in place for one year had a median annual ROI of $1.62 for every dollar invested. For companies with programs in place forRead more

The majority of American adults are unprepared or lack the confidence to assist in a medical emergency according to a new poll, underscoring the need for more formalised medical training.  The recent public poll from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) found most Americans felt confident in their ability to act during non-life-threatening emergencies,Read more