Static postures and prolonged sitting are the focus of a new report from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA). The report explores health risks associated with prolonged static sitting at work and outlines measures employers can take to prevent risks and help workers increase their physical activity. EU-OSHA warns there isRead more
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There are a number of important determinants for Australians when it comes to being overweight or obese, recent research has found. People with lower levels of education, living in inner regional areas, or paying off a mortgage or renting, are more likely to be overweight or obese, according to an Inequalities in overweight and obesity and theRead more
There is a significant causal relationship between open-plan office noise and physiological stress, according to a recent research study, which found such noise heightens workers’ negative moods by up to 25 per cent. The research, which was conducted by academics at Bond University and Resonate Consultants in Adelaide, suggested COVID-19-induced changes in the workplace presentRead more
New UK workplace incident figures show that a total of 142 workers were killed at work in Great Britain in 2020/21, an increase of 29 from the previous year. In statistical terms the number of fatalities has remained broadly level in recent years – the average annual number of workers killed at work over theRead more
Employers are being urged to introduce company-wide fatigue risk management strategies after a European report found that almost a third of drivers have fallen asleep while driving at least once in the past year. The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) report also found that around two-thirds of professional drivers regularly feel tired when driving (66%Read more
Full-time workers employed by organisations that fail to prioritise their employees’ mental health have a threefold increased risk of being diagnosed with depression, according to a year-long Australian population study. And while working long hours is a risk factor for dying from cardiovascular disease or having a stroke, poor management practices pose a greater riskRead 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
The Queensland Government recently offered a $5 million grant for medical research into occupational dust lung disease over four years from 2021 to 2023. Occupational dust lung disease impacts the lives of affected workers and their families and is a public health issue because there are limited proven treatment options. There is also a needRead more
Organisations need to move from reactive and symptoms-focused workplace mental health interventions to a more systemic, preventative and root-cause based approach to psychosocial health, according to an expert in the area. “The way we manage mental health in the workplace is backwards,” said Jason van Schie, psychologist and managing director of consulting firm People Diagnostix.Read more
The NSW Government’s Centre for Work Health and Safety is conducting new research into workers’ exposure to welding fumes in Australia. Together with the University of Sydney and Curtin University, the Centre is focusing on broadening the knowledge of Australian welding industries and occupations, current controls being used and the effectiveness in risk mitigation. It’sRead more
