Dr Peta Miller, Special Adviser for Safe Work Australia, said that while work-related psychological injury is expensive, we know what causes harm and that taking preventative action works.
Safe Work Australia publishes national guidance on work-related psychological health and safety30/7/2018
For employers and workers, the guide describes how to build a psychologically healthy and safe workplace by identifying, assessing and controlling risks to workers’ mental health.
Dr Peta Miller, Special Adviser for Safe Work Australia, said that while work-related psychological injury is expensive, we know what causes harm and that taking preventative action works. Electrical businesses, contractors and workers are being warned about the dangers of working on live switchboards or circuits, as WorkSafe inspectors crack down on electrical risks. In addition to talking about the risks of working live, inspectors are also highlighting the need to ensure apprentices are adequately trained and supervised during WorkSafe's month long focus on electrical safety.
WorkSafe Acting Executive Director Health and Safety Paul Fowler has urged employers to ensure workers do not to attempt to 'save time' by not isolating systems before they commence work. Editorial After the recent poisoning in Victoria, New Zealand (reported in this edition) and the deaths of three family members in Western Australia due to fumes from portable generators, Steve Darnley from WorkSafe’s Construction Program reminds us about the dangers of carbon monoxide from portable combustion engines.
Over the past five years, there has been an average of nine reported cases of silicosis a year in NSW and workers in the manufactured stone industry are among those at risk.
This industry uses newer engineered stone products which contain high levels of crystalline silica, for bathroom and kitchen benchtops. Crystalline silica, which causes the lung disease silicosis, is also found in bricks, roof tiles and concrete products. An ongoing construction industry safety blitz has revealed widespread safety failures when working from heights, Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said.
Figures from SafeWork NSW revealed falls from heights incidents had more than tripled in the last five years, prompting a 12 month safety blitz that kicked off in November last year. A study led by the Black Dog Institute has revealed that regular exercise of any intensity can prevent future depression – and just one hour can help.
The results show even small amounts of exercise can protect against depression, with mental health benefits seen regardless of age or gender. This compliance code provides practical guidance on how to comply with your obligations under Victoria’s occupational health and safety legislation when your work involves the use of hazardous substances.
As part of WorkSafe’s current focus on electrical safety, Steve Darnley from WorkSafe’s Construction Program writes about electrical safety on construction sites.
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