Heroic, ‘tough-guy’ cultures found in high-risk, male-dominated industries significantly increase safety dangers according to a comprehensive 2016 review of 96 research papers. The review identifies highly valued traits of masculinity as typically consisting of aggression, courage, strength, self-reliance, emotionless and sexual potency, affecting how risks are perceived, accepted and normalised. In Australia, 96 per cent […]
Second hand tobacco smoke is a serious OHS hazard that around 59 per cent of construction workers and 17 per cent of manufacturing workers are being exposed to, according to 2016 research papers. These workers and others like them are facing an increased risk from one of the leading causes of illness and premature death […]
One in five Australians are affected by mental illness, with that number far higher in blue collar industries which often have a “suck it up tough guy” culture. Evidence of that is a recent survey of blue collar workers by Beyond Blue that found 20 per cent of respondees thought those who seek help for […]
A $5000 reward for a workplace safety initiative is on offer as part of October’s National Safe Work Month, along with safety resources, education and communication materials. The $5k reward is open to any individual (sole trader), business or other organisation who is operating in Australia. Entrants will be judged on the spirit and enthusiasm […]
Breathing airborne wood particles as a result of sanding or cutting may be deadly, with wood dust and the formaldehyde in wood products both classified as Group 1 carcinogens. However the danger of formaldehyde and other resins in Australian-made wood products has been overstated according to managing director of Australian Forest and Wood Products, Ric […]
Workplace bullying costs the Australian economy up to $36 billion each year with cyber bullying the most common or second most common type of bullying, having potentially deadly consequences. In a digital and social media age, cyber bullies are often targeting victims anonymously, at anytime and anywhere, while legislation and employers have struggled to keep […]
Workers in the manufacturing industry suffer a “significant excess incidence of some cancers” as a result of carcinogen exposure in the workplace, with often inadequate controls. The damning insights come from a May 2016 report by Safe Work Australia (SWA), which cites The Australian Work Exposures Study (AWES) along with previous Australian and international studies. […]
If you are managing a business, you are legally required to identify any hazards and manage any risks associated with those hazards that workers may encounter. A hazard is as a task, application, tool, environmental condition or otherwise that has the potential to cause harm – such as an angle grinder, working at heights, loud […]
