National Drug Research Institute (NDRI) at Curtin University in Perth has released the first national update on the cost of opioids in 13 years — it’s not a pretty picture. The new national estimate on the social and economic costs of opioid use shows that ‘extra-medical’ use of opioids is costing Australia around $15.7 billion and causing more than 2200 deaths a year.
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Worksafe have recently become aware there are organisations offering white card through on-line delivery and who are providing a what appears to be a white card.
WorkSafe is issuing a reminder about the potentially deadly risks associated with working from heights without adequate fall protection, after two construction employees have died in separate incidents.
A report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) reveals that an estimated 1.6 million people aged ≥45 years lived with persistent, ongoing pain in 2016, with more Australians than ever visiting their GP for chronic pain in 2015–16.
The ‘Chronic pain in Australia’ report explores the latest national data on the proportion of people with chronic pain, as well as its impact, treatment and management. With construction continuing to work within the current government restrictions and guidelines, we would like to remind businesses that the same risks continue to exist and need to be managed.
In the midst of the pandemic, many workers will be working from home on a regular basis.
When working from home, it is important to apply the same ergonomic principles of an office environment to your home environment. In order to mitigate the risks of coronavirus (COVID-19), employers and employees must identify and manage work health and safety risks, including the exposure to COVID-19. WorkCover Queensland also advises that businesses should plan to respond to cases of COVID-19 at work in line with advice provided by Queensland Health. COVID-19 is transmitted from person to person much like the flu, via close contact with an infected person or from touching objects or surfaces contaminated by the sneeze or cough of an infected person and then touching the eyes, nose or mouth.
As people and businesses across Australia and New Zealand feel the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has never been more important to look after our health and wellbeing. Taking the necessary protective measures is crucial in the current climate and in all areas where our health and safety can be compromised. Let’s rise to today’s challenge, and ensure we keep our vision in our sights, too.
Surveys have revealed that our vision is the most valued of all of our senses. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that more than 19 million people suffer blindness in one eye from injury. With an eye injury in the workplace comes high costs, not only for workers, but also their families, their employers and the community. An eye injury can result in outcomes ranging from lost days at work to permanent loss of vision, as well as reduced productivity and medical and workers compensation costs. Many occupations are at risk of an eye injury. Mining, manufacturing, construction, agriculture, forestry and fishing are some of the industries where workers most commonly sustain an eye injury at work.  Australia is continuing to closely monitor the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Cases of the COVID-19 virus are increasing in Australia and the situation is changing rapidly. You can access the latest information from australia.gov.au. The building and construction and trucking industries have welcomed the Australian Government’s second coronavirus (COVID-19) stimulus package, announced on 22 March. These industries have also affirmed their commitment to safety amid COVID-19. This second stage of the government’s economic plan will assist these and other industries in continuing to operate safely. A total of $189 billion is being injected into the economy from all arms of government as part of the government’s economic plan to cushion the fiscal impact of COVID-19.
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