Browsing: Coronavirus, COVID-19 | Page 31

A multinational company's COVID-19-era virtual platforms, including a COVID chatbot that has fielded 60,000 safety questions from workers, have been earmarked for post-pandemic applications.

• Workplace ventilation strategies reduce COVID-19 risks;
  
• Non-seatbelt use linked to multiple work deaths every year; and
  
• Rules made for NSW's new Personal Injury Commission.

Workers experiencing a lack of social support and "iso-strain" are at higher risk of suicide, especially when confronted with high emotional and physical demands, a study revealing the high suicide rate in Australian support workers has found.

A worker's alleged failure to follow COVID-19 cleaning protocols didn't warrant his dismissal, but being uncontactable for 10 minutes while he was looking at his mobile phone with his radio turned off did, a commission has found.

• Workplace mask rule imposed under "post-lockdown" measures; and
  
• Appeals court rules on harassing WHS poster dispute.

With the release of plans for rolling out Australia's COVID-19 vaccination program, and the launch of Safe Work Australia's vaccination guidance, employers are being urged to maintain proven pandemic controls and to play a key role in driving the take-up of vaccines.

• Easing of COVID restrictions accelerated for offices;
  
• Diesel threshold commences in NSW, regulatory approach revealed;
  
• Company charged with category-1 safety breach of HVNL; and
  
• Did you miss our latest major WHS and COVID review?

The imminent release of COVID-19 vaccines in Australia will bring new challenges for employers, but determining whether vaccinations can be mandated in specific workplaces will require the same "reasonable and necessary" test as other workplace safety requirements, a senior workplace lawyer says.

• COVID contact tracing rules extended to more workplaces in WA; and
  
• Employer fined $210k over platform mix-up and death.

• COVID work arrangements increasing unhealthy sitting times;
  
• New guidance on operation of SRC Act released; and
  
• New OSH Commission chair and IRC head announced in WA.