Two employers have unsuccessfully attempted to avoid liability for workplace injuries by (in the first case) relying on a consultant psychiatrist's unfounded claim that a worker was a "heavy drinker", and (in the second) contending a condition arose from a non-work-related restraining order application.
Night shift workers are significantly more likely to engage in "extreme" drinking behaviour than other staff, warranting workplace interventions providing self-monitoring strategies and sleep education to prevent the associated WHS risks, researchers say.
Two sleep studies have highlighted the prevalence of work stress-related insomnia symptoms, the risks associated with workers taking sleeping pills to fall asleep and the need for interventions that promote the safe use of these hypnotic drugs.
End-of-year work celebrations are likely to be very different this year due to COVID-19, with mental health issues and the possibility of restricting attendee numbers just some of the new things to think about, a senior safety lawyer says.
An employer acted reasonably in enforcing its safety requirements by refusing to support a worker's application for an extraordinary driver's licence after he lost his licence for drink driving, a commission has found in upholding his dismissal.
There is an under-recognised link between work factors and opioid disorders and overdoses, but employers can play a "lifesaving" role by reducing the risks and improving their response strategies, researchers say.
The suicide death of a worker, who started abusing marijuana to relieve the pain from a work injury, did not arise from his employment, a superior court has ruled.
A worker who claims he was unable to urinate over a three-hour period was lawfully summarily dismissed for refusing to provide his employer with a sample for a drug and alcohol test, a commission has ruled.
