Workers must pass a “fit test” before being issued tight-fitting respirators, with two methods of testing available – quantitative and qualitative. Both types of tests are used to determine if the disposable or reusable respirator has an adequate seal, by detecting if any air is leaking into the facepiece. However, qualitative tests are pass/fail, based […]
Employers who provide personal protective equipment (PPE) for employees are also legally required to ensure the PPE is fit-for-purpose, well maintained and used by workers. In other words, it is not simply enough to provide workers with PPE or an allowance to buy the equipment themselves without ascertaining if it is appropriate for the task […]
High silica exposure rates among Australian workers came to light in 2018, prompting reviews of state workplace health and safety (WHS) laws and exposure limits. Workers compensation bodies have seen a number of claims for silicosis, an incurable and potentially fatal lung disease that can develop as a result of exposure to respirable crystalline silica […]
Personal protective equipment (PPE) vending machines can help large worksites save time and money, reduce waste, and improve OHS compliance and site safety. Demand for vend-ready products which can be stocked in the machines is increasing, according to ProChoice Safety Gear’s research and development manager, Brad Rodgers, leading the company to release their own vend-ready […]
The European standard for chemical gloves was revised in 2016, with notable updates to the testing and labelling of gloves. It is important that end users understand these changes. The revised EN ISO 374-1:2016 is the first update to the standard in more than a decade and now includes ISO in the title to indicate […]
A Global Commission on the Future of Work report, released in January 2019, forms the basis for the 2019 World Safety Day theme, “Safety and Health and the future of work”. The “Work for a brighter future” report, published by the International Labour Organisation, outlines the forces transforming the workplace and opportunities that exist to […]
Correctly managing spill containment is crucial for any workplace storing or using liquids that could pose a threat to humans or the environment if a leak or spill occurs. Businesses are legally required to protect employees, others and the environment. In the case of hazardous liquids, this means ensuring that a spill risk assessment has […]
Unaddressed hearing loss costs $750 billion worldwide each year and causes lost productivity, cognitive decline, depression, and barriers to education and social integration. Hearing loss has also been shown to significantly increase the risk of dementia by adding to the cognitive load of the brain or accelerating atrophy. With 22 per cent of Australians aged […]
