Entries by Anita Chinwah

Alarming rate of problem gambling among construction workers

“Higher risk of problem gambling for construction workers compared with the general population.” New research conducted by Foundation House – The Construction Industry Drug & Alcohol Foundation, has uncovered an alarming rate of gambling among construction workers. The research found that problematic gambling behaviour is widespread among construction workers: About two in five (43%) fall into […]

What are my safety obligations when managing a Fitness facility?

A guide for Facility Managers to create a culture of safety in their fitness centre. What are the hazards in gym facilities? Safety hazards specific to gym and fitness facilities include: Risks of injuries and illness as a result of fitness training Harm caused by faulty or poorly maintained equipment Trip, slip and falls hazards […]

Managing Safety Hazards in the Retail industry

Effective safety management is crucial in reducing accidents and maintaining a safe working environment. A snapshot of the retail industry The retail industry is one of the largest employment industries in Australia1. Every retail business is different, and this diverse industry encompasses large chain corporations, medium store networks as well as small businesses. Businesses typically […]

Protecting retail workers against work related harassment

Substantial level of harassment experienced by retail workers recently reported. Dealing with angry or difficult customers is an unavoidable reality when working in retail. The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) announced that “Customer abuse and aggression is an epidemic that the industry has been wrestling with for years”, and their survey found that […]

Preventing accidents when working at heights

Falls from heights is the leading cause of fatality on construction sites in NSW and every year there are numerous serious incidents occuring1. Construction workers risk serious injury or even death when working at heights. Falling from heights between 2 to 4 metres can lead to devastating injuries and are often fatal. Even falling a […]

Working safely around voids and penetrations

Falling through unguarded voids is a contributing factor to a number of serious injuries and deaths in the construction industry1. Construction workers risk serious injury or even death when working at heights. Falling from heights between 2 to 4 metres can lead to devastating injuries and are often fatal. Even falling a short distance can […]

Keeping Young Workers Safe in Your Workplace

Young workers, usually aged between 15 to 24 years old, have been identified as one of four groups most at risk of getting injured in the workplace1. Research have shown that an alarming 20% of all workplace injuries are sustained by young Australian construction workers below the age of 252. Concerningly in NSW alone, more […]

Managing your Chain of Responsibility obligations

The Chain of Responsibility (CoR) law ensures everyone who works with heavy vehicles – from the business that employs the driver to the place where goods are delivered – is accountable for safety.   What is the Chain of Responsibility Law? The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is Australia’s regulator for heavy vehicles over 4.5 […]

What are my health and safety responsibilities when hiring contractors?

Many business owners are unclear about their Work Health and Safety (WHS) responsibilities when it comes to hiring contractors to perform work in their workplace. There is a common misconception that outsourcing work to a contractor absolves business owners of their WHS responsibilities. This misconception stems from the fact that many contractors work independently from […]

Mental health benefits of allowing dogs in the workplace

“Having dogs in the office can improve employee mental health, as well as provide a calming influence at work, relieve tension or stress and promote social interaction.” Our changing relationship towards dogs in the workplace In the past the presence of dogs in the office were confined to allowing only assistance dogs who support their […]