In a decision driving home the importance of prescribing workplace behavioural norms, a commission has upheld the dismissal of two workers who isolated and ostracised a contractor's employees, including one who later attempted suicide.
NSW has revealed its preferred model for accelerating the resolution of workers' comp disputes, and issued orders for monitoring coal workers' health. Meanwhile, South Australia and Tasmania have taken steps to protect bus drivers and police from violence.
GP certificates and work capacity assessments could be overhauled under a plan to better align Australia's major income support systems, including workers' comp schemes, and improve service delivery.
"Self-study" workplace programs are just as effective as significantly more expensive group methods at helping workers lose weight, but the latter can significantly improve mental health, US researchers say.
In a move that could inform other employers' anti-bullying and harassment strategies, the Victorian Government has responded to complaints against the former chair of the Melbourne Health board by committing to a process where workers can report incidents "without fear of reprisal".
Health experts have identified two areas that employers can focus on to tackle the widespread problem of worker insomnia and its impact on safety standards.
A full Supreme Court has rejected claims that a workers' comp claimant was required to prove her employment exposed her to a "greater risk" of being bitten by a diseased mosquito than at her suburban home.
Regulators in three jurisdictions have issued a score of alerts following incidents involving mobile plant and dangerous substances, and one has released guidance on mental health training. Meanwhile, more than nine in 10 truck drivers have reported being exposed to increasing unsafe practices since the Safe Rates system was scrapped.
In a study that should compel employers to audit their PPE, UK researchers have found that publicly-available face masks provide little protection from particulate matter.
