An employer unlawfully discriminated against an older worker in refusing to engage him for work in a hot environment, with its manager likening the proposed labour-hire arrangement to sending "your dad or granddad" into high-risk conditions, a court has found.
Workplace policies and programs that drive home the broad safety repercussions of turning up to work with a hangover, and impaired coordination, are far more likely to reduce risky drinking behaviours than warnings on the impact of alcohol on individuals' health, a study of NSW workers suggests.
> Special coronavirus assessments advised for vulnerable workers; > COVID-19 logistics safety and fatality alerts issued in Vic; and > Pandemic affects work injury claims and claimants in WA.
Costly workplace exercise programs might improve workers' physical capacity, but employers can gain similar benefits from providing them with personalised fitness management, which does not require space or equipment, researchers say.
Older workers suffer more cardiovascular damage from working long hours and will require extra management and more breaks if the issue isn't addressed, researchers specialising in "overwork" disorders say.
A major report, prompted by a public health emergency declared by US President Donald Trump, has found a high proportion of injured workers are prescribed opioids, often unnecessarily, exposing them to the risk of addiction within days of use and driving up employers' workers' comp costs.
> ABCC launches safety and age discrimination cases; > Labour-hire scheme with safety test commences in Vic; and > Everything you need to know from January, February and March.
Exiting the workforce might not be as bad for workers' physical and mental health as some studies suggest, while Australia's increasing retirement age could compound the deleterious impacts of strenuous work and fatigue on older employees, researchers have found.
