Browsing: Health and wellbeing

In a paper examining "new view" work health and safety principles, organisational psychologist and WHS expert Dr Tristan Casey has outlined barriers to WHS innovation and how to overcome them at an organisational level, including through "micro-experiments".

• Workplace flu jabs advised ahead of "horror" season; and
  
• Female-specific cancers added to presumptive workers' comp laws.

PCBUs have been reminded of their duty to ensure the safety of all types of workers who might interact with equipment, after a business was fined heavily over an employee's serious thumb injury. Employers have also been urged to tackle the increasing risk of mould exposure.

A large new study of the link between job type and the fatal neurodegenerative disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), indicates that exposure to metals in occupations such as welding is a risk factor for developing the disease.

Companies and officers accused of WHS breaches could bear the onus of proving they took all reasonably practicable steps to prevent an incident occurring, while the offence of industrial manslaughter will be added to the national model WHS Act, with Labor taking power in the Federal election on the weekend.

A worker was advised by her doctor that it was potentially unsafe for her to receive an influenza vaccination, but her aged care employer acted fairly and reasonably in dismissing her for not getting the jab, the Fair Work Commission has ruled.

In a timely study on the insidious reach of silica, Swedish researchers have found a significantly high level of chronic lung disease in metal foundry workers exposed to silica dust, even at levels well below government exposure limits.

• Silica safety duties applied to multiple industries in Vic; and
  
• FWC full bench supports paid FDV leave.

Surprisingly high percentages of workers are exposed to aggression from colleagues, managers and customers, while workplace racism also remains common, creating significant WHS risks and highlighting the need for targeted training, according to safety, wellbeing and human resources specialists.

A new New Zealand study of workers who load and unload containers has found an increase in a range of neuropsychological conditions among long-term personnel.