Hearing loss due to industrial noise such as machinery, tools and traffic is one of the most widespread yet preventable workplace injuries. Hearing damage is irreversible and seriously affects quality of life, contributing to dementia, stress, hypertension, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and psychiatric disorders. Furthermore, a five-year (1999-2004) study of 6307 workers found that workers […]
Dogging, rigging and lifting are dangerous tasks that require high-risk work (HRW) licences and must be managed using the Heirarchy of Control and risk assessments. Dogging: Doggers select and apply slinging gear such as chains, slings, ropes, cables and hooks to attach loads to cranes or hoists so as to move the load, according to […]
Vehicles are the number one killer in the Australian workplace, accounting for 64 per cent of worker fatalities between 2007 and 2016, according to 2017 Safe Work Australia (SWA) data. Forty five per cent of workplace fatalities were a result of a vehicle collision on a public road. These figures may partially be attributed to […]
Symptoms of an allergic reaction to latex gloves can include – but are not limited to – a rash, itching, hives, swelling, a runny nose, cough and shortness of breath, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI). The most common negative reaction to allergy exposure is a skin rash which is […]
The Safety Institute of Australia (SIA) has announced a new framework and capability agenda in their December 2017 edition of OHS Professional. Speaking to Safety Bytes, the SIA’s CEO, David Clarke said the program, which will be rolled out in 2018 includes five key components: the Australian OHS Body of Knowledge, the work of the […]
Whether it’s re-doing the garden, transforming a living room or renovating the kitchen, many Australians love spending their summer holidays on a household project. The festive season sees a surge in ‘do-it-yourselfers’ with home renovation retailers like Bunnings bracing for their busiest period – sales increased by 23 per cent in the Christmas quarter compared […]
A comprehensive list of Australian workplace health and safety (WHS) events, awards and related campaigns in 2018. If there is an event or campaign not covered below that is relevant to OHS in Australia, please comment with the details at the end of this article and we’ll take a look. Safetyscape Convention 2018 | […]
Australia is the 22nd safest country in the world according to a 2017 World Economic Forum (WEF) analysis of 136 countries. The analysis formed part of the WEF’s 2017 Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report with the safety and security pillar measuring the extent to which a country exposes tourists and businesses to security risks mainly […]
