For Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) officers, protecting workers’ hands from chemical hazards can be a complex challenge due to the variety of chemicals and gloves with different protective properties. ProChoice Safety Gear product development manager, Brad Rodgers says that hand protection from chemicals requires a detailed risk assessment of the chemical concentration and exposure time […]
A collection of safety fails from around thew world. Don’t forget to pick up your jaw on the way out. Unsafe working at heights A man is attempting to install an air conditioner. Nothing unusual about that, except he’s working on a narrow ledge about 30 stories off the ground and looking to move from […]
Nineteen per cent of building and construction apprentices report drinking alcohol during work-related hours while amphetamine use in the industry is also at concerning levels. The findings came as part of a December 2012 report and ongoing research project, Safety Impacts Of Alcohol And Other Drugs In Construction by the Sustainable Built Environment National Research […]
Musculoskeletal injuries or ‘body stressing’ in workers is the most common type of workplace injury and a huge financial burden on business. Three-year averages (2008 – 2011) from the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission (SRCC), outlined in their Compendium of WHS and Workers’ Compensation Statistics, show that body stressing costs business an average of $68,000 […]
Often worn more than any other piece of PPE, a hard hat’s comfort and correct fit is critical to ensuring it is happily worn and does not increase the dangers of an application by causing distraction, discomfort or by inhibiting vision or movement. Furthermore, the correct positioning of the hardhat is critical to preventing neck, […]
Failure by businesses and their officers to provide applicable first aid equipment, facilities and training for staff may result in serious consequences, according to Safe Work Australia (SWA). A SWA spokesperson told Pro Choice Safety Gear that the level of first aid required in the workplace varied between businesses and that a risk assessment should […]
The decisions workers make when dealing with risk largely depends on their experience, the time available to make a decision and its perceived benefits, according to OHS specialist, Carmel Bofinger. Associate Professor at the University of Queensland Minerals Industry Safety and Health Centre and co-author of OHS Risk and Decision-making in the Safety Institute of […]
A program assisting construction workers in recognising and addressing mental health issues among their colleagues has seen a reduction in the suicide rate in the Queensland construction industry. MATES in Construction is a ‘bottom-up’ community development program that is being implemented by workers, according to business development manager, Jenny Roberts. “That’s why it’s working so […]
