Browsing: Coronavirus, COVID-19 | Page 42

Stressful quarantine experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic could have long-term psychological impacts on workers in the absence of mental healthcare, according to researchers who also suggest the confinement period is a unique opportunity for employers to enhance their psychological resources.

• COVID-19 WHS and reporting tool launched in NSW; and
  
• Workplace Legionella risks increase with COVID-19 closures.

• COVID-19 delays new workplace chemical safety system;
  
• SWA launches COVID-19 planning tool and guidance; and
  
• Safety professionals challenged to control post-pandemic risks.

French doctors have warned that the rushed use of disinfectants during the COVID-19 pandemic can cause toxic exposures, after nurses at their hospital developed eye growths from protective glasses. Meanwhile, a timely study has found a link between cold-weather work, occupational noise and heart attack risk.

• COVID-19 transition plans must cover WHS and critical functions;
  
• ACT seeks to boost workers' mental health in pandemic; and
  
• NSW introduces Bill for new work injury dispute system.

Workers returning from COVID-19-related working-from-home set-ups have valuable insights on how to optimise workspaces for their wellbeing, which employers can capitalise on to make workplaces healthier and less stressful, a building and workplace design expert says.

Workers who don't believe they are provided with adequate PPE are at risk of post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions that can erode their ability to work safely, a study of service personnel operating in COVID-19-like environments has shown.

As COVID-19 pandemic restrictions ease across the country, a WHS regulator has outlined its policies for enforcing physical distancing rules for lifts in work buildings, transport operators have been told to closely monitor workers' health and separate them from passengers, and the Australian Industry Group has warned against tough penalties for working-at-home breaches.

With the dramatic swing to working-from-home arrangements and new work technologies because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Comcare "emerging evidence alert" has highlighted new research on the connection between technology acceptance, engagement and wellbeing.

• NSW's COVID-19 work recovery tool guided by 100 years of crises;
  
• SA employers should expect COVID call from a WHS inspector;
  
• Vic workers told to keep working at home; and
  
• Start date for ACT's labour-hire licensing scheme confirmed.