Lapses in behaviour standards, misunderstood tone and context and the unintended exclusion of workers relying on electronic interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic can exacerbate psychological injury risks, a senior safety lawyer has warned.
The ACTU has demanded that the states and territories amend their WHS laws to mandate workplace social distancing rules and other controls before COVID-19 restrictions are eased. Meanwhile, employers and unions have agreed to amend a modern award with safety provisions to help businesses survive the pandemic, and the Federal Government has released draft laws to codify privacy protections around its COVIDSafe app.
The sudden large-scale uptake of telework, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, has "amplified" a range of physical and psychosocial occupational risks, but key prevention measures for employers can be as simple as disseminating pragmatic information on ergonomics and facilitating "virtual collective working periods", according to French researchers.
Workers working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic are having varying experiences, and some, like those simultaneously home-schooling their kids, are likely to be struggling, a workplace researcher says. She says employers must be on top of the personal factors affecting remote workers' health.
The role that OHS professionals and services are playing in transforming organisational and national systems and policies, for COVID-19 and future pandemics, is a key focus of World Day for Safety and Health at Work and Workers' Memorial Day tomorrow. Meanwhile, employers have been warned that flu vaccinations are particularly crucial this season.
Applying the hierarchy of controls, consulting workers and maintaining stringent workplace hygiene measures as coronavirus restrictions are eased, are among the new workplace principles agreed to by the National Cabinet. Meanwhile, employers are being urged to encourage staff to download the new COVIDSafe app.
