Browsing: Health and mental wellbeing | Page 141

Two new studies, from the US and Norway, have identified common substances that cause kidney cancer in workers.

A recent $436,000 injury damages case shows how important it is for employers to proactively look for and deal with signs of worker distress, employment and WHS lawyer Donna Trembath says in this Q&A with OHS Alert.

Employers can encourage workers to consult assistance programs to tackle problem drinking by raising awareness and normalising the issue, according to a psychologist and program provider.

A world-first study has found that workers in "high strain" jobs are less likely to adhere to prescribed medication for managing chronic disease, increasing the risk of sick leave.

• Anti-black lung strategy commences; and
  
• Property managers unaware of safety duties.

An employer that strengthened mental health support for workers, and eliminated workers' comp claims in the process, is one of a host of businesses that have improved employee wellbeing through a government initiative.

The widow of a worker who had a heart attack and crashed his car has been awarded $489,750, in the latest of the few cases involving the heart attack provisions of NSW's workers' comp laws.

An employer has reduced its unplanned sick leave by eight per cent in six months after carrying out a company-wide health check.

"Crazy" self-regulation has been blamed for the return of fatal work disease black lung, after Monash University's final report on the resurgence found one in 14 experienced coal miners could have the disease, and possible victims were deemed fit for work in dusty environments.

A major employer's employee assistance program has improved productivity and reduced absences, but few workers are willing to report alcohol problems to the program, a study has found.