Metal manufacturing and construction are "the economic sectors mainly responsible for exposure to carcinogens", according to the authors of a new study, who also found that the prevalence of occupational cancers is "widely underestimated".
Designers and suppliers of plant and other upstream duty holders are likely face greater scrutiny and legal action under harmonised safety legislation, a report says.
An employee who works excessive hours is more likely to take sick leave than a worker who suffers from anxiety, arthritis, back pain and up to seven other chronic health problems, an Australian study has found.
Employers should examine and modify, where possible, physical aspects of the work environment when promoting healthier habits among workers, according to University of Washington researchers.
A Swedish study of nearly 14,000 workers has found a significant association between occupational exposure to vibration and heart disease as a cause of death.
Progressively assigning young and inexperienced workers more risky tasks during their first four years of service increases their risk of accidents, according to French researchers.
Employees who have a degree of control over their working hours are more likely to be physically and mentally healthier than those who don't, according to researchers, who also found involuntary part-time employment could have a negative impact on workers' health.
Reusable, communal personal protective equipment such as gloves, hard hats, respirators and earmuffs can harbour and spread infectious agents from worker to worker - particularly in the absence of guidelines defining "clean", researchers warn.
An intervention program has found workers are eight times more likely to purchase healthy snacks from workplace vending machines if they're readily available - and cheap.
