Reducing injuries in the Health and Social Care industry was identified as a national priority by Safe Work Australia1. The Health Care and Social Assistance industry, including hospitals, Aged Care, Early Childhood and Disability Support, fulfil an essential role in caring for some of the frailest, most vulnerable members of our society. This industry is […]
Increasing workplace related violence against health workers is a serious concern that must be addressed in the Health and Social Care industry. Workers from the Health Care and Social Assistance industry, which includes hospitals, Aged Care and Disability support, fulfil an essential role in caring for some of the frailest, most vulnerable members of our […]
In an industry with rigorous safety regulations, it is startling to discover the existence of a mental health crisis in the construction sector that is upsetting in its severity. Australian construction workers are six times more likely to die from suicide than an accident at work1. Every year 190 construction workers take their own lives, which distressingly […]
Falls from heights is one of the most widespread injuries causing worker death, alarmingly being the third most common cause of fatality incidents in Australia for 2021 1. Falls from heights are most severe in the construction industry, where it is the leading cause of traumatic injuries and fatalities in NSW alone2. Unfortunately working at […]
Workplace bullying is a major concern for companies and remains a serious issue in Australia. If left unchecked, workplace bullying can lead to significant consequences such as reduced productivity, physical and mental health problems, increased absenteeism and at its worst workers compensation claims, legal action and lawsuits. What is workplace bullying? Bullying is the repeated […]
Worrying levels of bullying and harassment A report of psychological safety climate and worker health in Australia (the Australian Workplace Barometer project) found a serious concern regarding the levels of workplace bullying and harassment1. The results are particularly alarming for women as they report significantly higher levels of bullying and for significantly longer periods of […]
Silica dust exposure and silicosis have become an increasing concern in the construction and stone manufacturing industry, and its effects are often fatal. One Brisbane physician Dr. Graeme Edwards who has tested the lungs of hundreds of stone workers, said: “From a clinician’s perspective this is worse than asbestos, because asbestos affects people at the […]
Manual handling may seem low risk to most employers, but it is actually the leading cause of injury in the workplace. In 2018-19, Safe Work Australia identified musculoskeletal disorders to be the most common mechanism leading to a serious workers’ compensation claim, accounting for 87% of all serious claims*. Of these, the most frequent were […]
Manual handling injury and work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) can occur anywhere in the workplace no matter what industry you are in. It is the most common type of injury experienced in the workplace and can have serious consequences for the person who has been injured. Work Health and Safety regulations states that employers have a […]
Vehicles such as powered mobile plant, forklift and trucks are increasingly familiar and essential in countless workplaces. Yet managing the safe movement of these vehicles is something that many employers can easily overlook. Vehicle accidents are frequently linked with injuries and death to pedestrians in the workplace. In 2019, Safe Work Australia reported that 46% of […]
