Browsing: Coronavirus, COVID-19 | Page 22

The Victorian Government has claimed it has witnessed "appalling" levels of non-compliance with workplace safety regulations made for the COVID-19 pandemic in the construction industry, in shutting down the sector for two weeks.

Mandatory COVID-19 vaccine requirements are being applied to more sectors in Victoria, under a plan in which unvaccinated people will be "left behind". Another jurisdiction has announced Australia's "strongest vaccination plan" for workers, while the National Cabinet has agreed to integrate immunisation histories into check-in apps.

• WHS regulator shuts sites for COVID breaches, calls in police; and
  
• Passed OHS laws increase deterrent effect of tough penalties.

In a major report on Australia's "forced experiment" - widespread working-from-home arrangements for the pandemic - the Productivity Commission has detailed employers' WHS duties to remote workers, examined the "right to disconnect" and called for an upcoming WHS review to address the issue.

Employers should do everything they can to encourage COVID-19 jabs because having fully vaccinated workers is "priceless", especially in the construction industry, which faces particular challenges to remaining COVID-safe and mentally healthy, an HR specialist says.

Australian employers can start organising workplace COVID-19 vaccination regimes, with the Federal Government launching its "vaccine administration partners program" today. Meanwhile, researchers have highlighted the critical role that visual cues can play in improving hygiene practices to limit the spread of the coronavirus and the flu.

A major study of nearly 30,000 workers has found the often severe psychological distress from the risk of contracting COVID-19, either on the job or while commuting, is associated with "worry, rather than facts" and can be reduced by workplace measures.

• "Zero tolerance" workplace COVID blitz announced; and
  
• Employer fails to comply with Standard for automatic doors.

After successfully pushing for presumptive workers' compensation and death benefits for prescribed workers who contract COVID-19, the NSW Greens have announced laws creating a "far superior scheme" than the Federal Government's new no-fault vaccine claims process.

A commission has rejected an employer's claims that reinstating a worker to his safety critical role, after it unfairly dismissed him for engaging in an altercation with a member of the public not wearing a face mask, was inappropriate because of the negative impact this could have on his mental health.