Mental health conditions and drug and alcohol problems are the leading causes of productivity loss and time off work according to an analysis of data published in the Journal of Occupation and Environmental Medicine. The study which assessed data from a survey of 78,000 Australian workers found that ‘psychological distress’ including depression, as well as […]
Workplace functions, events or parties are generally considered a work activity under OHS legislation and employers are responsible for the health and safety of employees, who must also take some responsibility. This applies no matter where or when the function, event or party is held and it may also include the trip home. As with […]
There are huge financial and cultural benefits of having a safe and healthy workplace. Indirect cost benefits include improved productivity, morale and business reputation while absenteeism and insurance premiums are reduced. Preventing injuries or incidents will also avoid significant associated business operations costs, including sick leave, overtime and excess payments, medical and legal costs, which […]
Flu vaccines and hand hygiene programs have been consistently shown to save businesses money by reducing absenteeism and presenteeism (people attending work while sick), according to a research paper published in March 2017. Titled Assessing workplace infectious illness management in Australian workplaces, the researchers interviewed management or safety officers from 14 Australian organisations and analysed […]
The processes for adequately preparing a construction site for a storm are similar to securing your site for a shutdown period, only even more important. It is also a requirement under the Construction Code of Practice and Safety laws, according to Executive Officer, Safety and Risk for Master Builders NSW, David Solomon. Taking the […]
Four quad bike deaths in three weeks during February and March 2017 preceded a national quad bike safety summit and a grant of up to $2000 for farmers to purchase protective equipment, including helmets. The successive deaths of three elderly men and a six-year-old girl were the latest in the deadly activity which is the […]
Proactive OHS data collection must be a focus for workplace safety specialists to more effectively prevent incidents according to Corey Burford, managing director of QHSE Integrated Solutions technology. “Data and information need to be able to prevent incidents rather than just simply report on them,” Mr Burford said. “A lot of the government’s data is […]
Young, male tradies are at a high risk of methamphetamine (meth) use and are among the most likely workers to have used the drug in the past 12 months. The 2015 research by the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA) identified warehousing, construction, mining, manufacturing and hospitality as high risk industries, with […]
