The World Health Organisation's workplace health and safety guidelines for COVID-19 are "unacceptably complacent" in parts and overlook evidence on workplace outbreaks, according to an occupational health academic, who fills in some of the "gaps".
Social media denoting COVID-19 as a "killer virus" creates a sense of danger and distress among frontline workers. Employers should reduce these mental health risks by providing more consistent information and better training, researchers say.
A study of frontline COVID-19 workers has found psychological training and guidance can turn distressing experiences into positive personal growth, reducing the adverse effects of traumatic work events.
The Black Dog Institute is seeking people who are not coping well after the tumultuous events of 2020, to participate in a trial of its new home digital counselling program.
Australia's WHS framework is robust and can help duty holders grapple with the ever-changing impact of COVID-19 on health and safety, but mitigating pandemic hazards is not a one-size-fits-all approach, according to department heads from two Federal safety agencies.
The Federal Government has, in its 2020-21 budget, committed hundreds of millions of dollars to detecting COVID-19 in asymptomatic workers and others, maintaining the paid pandemic leave scheme, and helping the Fair Work Commission cope with its increasing workload.
Comcare has reported receiving a string of injury claims associated with the rapid transition to home-based work for COVID-19, while a wellness service has warned that many workplace leaders are at risk of burnout, including from home-work arrangements and other pandemic stressors.
Employers are being urged to proactively "minimise feelings of uncertainty" during the COVID-19 pandemic, with researchers finding the unprecedented job losses caused by COVID-19 are causing high levels of depression among employed workers.
