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 […]
A comprehensive list of Australian workplace health and safety (WHS) events, awards and related campaigns in 2019. 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. Safety Australia Group Mock Trials […]
As new technology changes the nature of work, the future of WHS must balance the benefits of automation with the risks of a dispersed, ageing workforce, according to a 2018 report by the CSIRO. The report identified six megatrends that persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) should be planning for as their workplaces change. […]
Hard hats and bump caps both forms of PPE that provide head protection, however the circumstances in which they’re used vary based on the type and level of protection required. Bump caps protect against small impacts that a worker may incur when bumping into or knocking against a stationary object, while hard hats offer additional […]
Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) is critical in preventing workers from breathing in hazardous substances on the job. This is especially important in industries such as construction, mining or agriculture that have a high exposure to airborne contaminants which can lead to lung disease. Commonly, RPE involves a well-fitting mask such as: Disposable masks Re-usable half […]
Just one death in a workplace is one too many, but when workplace fatalities in New Zealand are 19 per cent higher* for Māori than for non-Māori, it demands attention. So, why are Māori workers more susceptible to workplace injuries and fatalities than non-Māori workers? Maruiti 2025: In 2016 WorkSafe New Zealand (WorkSafe NZ), the […]
Welding is a task with numerous hazards such as electrocution, burns, fires, explosions and toxic fumes. And welding at heights adds a whole new dimension of risk. With 11 per cent of workplace deaths in 2003–15 related to falls from heights, and the construction industry accounting for 37 per cent of these deaths, welding at […]
A new guide from Safe Work Australia (SWA) aimed at helping small and medium-sized businesses safely identify and store their chemicals has been released. “If you store chemicals in your workplace and need information on how to store them safely, this guide is for you,” said SWA Director of Chemicals Policy, Dr Paul Taylor. Chemical […]
