Any member of any profession can be subject to the complaints process of that profession’s governing body. A complaints procedure is an essential element of any organisation. In fact, one could argue that the professionalism and maturity of an organisation can be judged by how that organisation investigates and handles a complaint. Not only must [...]
All posts for the month August, 2009
The importance of handling professional complaints professionally
Posted by Kevin Jones on August 31, 2009
http://safetyatworkblog.com/2009/08/31/the-importance-of-handling-professional-complaints-professionally/
The importance of independent advice at Board level
The recent court decision by Judge Gzell on the previous directors of James Hardie Industries generated considerable media attention in Australia for many reasons; a primary reason is that the company is perceived as making its profits at the cost of its employees’ health. The social and corporate cost of inadequate workplace and product safety management [...]
Posted by Kevin Jones on August 31, 2009
http://safetyatworkblog.com/2009/08/31/the-importance-of-independent-advice-at-board-level/
Challenges for US labor unions and lessons for all businesses
Doug Henwood releases regular podcasts of his radio broadcasting and occasionally there is content that provides an interesting perspective on occupational health and safety, as does the 3CR program, Stick Together. On August 1 2009 Henwood interviewed journalist, Steve Early, author of “Embedded With Organized Labor”. The podcast is available online. The Early interview clicks in [...]
Posted by Kevin Jones on August 31, 2009
http://safetyatworkblog.com/2009/08/31/challenges-for-us-labor-unions-and-lessons-for-all-businesses/
Productivity is also the Government’s aim with OHS law reform
A few posts back the productivity priorities of Australian employer groups toward OHS harmonisation were noted, particularly that of the Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry. On 25 August 2009, Australia’s Workplace Relations Minister, Julia Gillard, addressed the 15th World Congress International Industrial Relations Association. The Minister mentioned OHS and said: “So, our new workplace [...]
Posted by Kevin Jones on August 26, 2009
http://safetyatworkblog.com/2009/08/26/productivity-is-also-the-governments-aim-with-ohs-law-reform/
Standards are often developed without the aim of enforcement
[Expansion on recent SafetyAtWorkBlog article regarding Standards] It’s always going to present complications when a tech standard is magically converted into law by incorporating it into a regulation. And that happens whether it’s an AS/NZ tech standard or one produced in Europe. The fundamental problem is that tech standards are often not produced with enforcement [...]
Posted by colrf on August 26, 2009
http://safetyatworkblog.com/2009/08/26/standards-are-developed-without-the-aim-of-enforcement/
Restorative Justice and workplace fatalities – Part 1
The city in which SafetyAtWorkBlog is edited, Melbourne, is struggling to manage a spate of street violence – some racially-based, a lot influenced by alcohol and drugs. The Age newspaper carried a feature article on 25 August 2009 discussing the concept of “restorative justice”, a concept that is barely known outside of some legal or [...]
Posted by Kevin Jones on August 25, 2009
http://safetyatworkblog.com/2009/08/25/restorative-justice-and-workplace-fatalities-part-1/
US workplace fatality statistics – 2008
Preliminary data on workplace fatalities was released recently by the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) program in the United States. Economic pressures have reduced the size of the workforce which, the data indicates, decreased fatalities. Good news in one way but only status quo if one is looking at long-term trends or for some benefit [...]
Posted by Kevin Jones on August 24, 2009
http://safetyatworkblog.com/2009/08/24/us-workplace-fatality-statistics-2008/
Public Comments – Fishing and Legionnaire’s
WorkSafe Western Australia has two documents currently open for public comment. One concerns a draft code of practice for the prevention of falls from commercial fishing vessels. The other may have a wider appeal as it is a draft code of practice for the prevention and control of Legionnaires’ disease. The man overboard code [...]
Posted by Kevin Jones on August 24, 2009
http://safetyatworkblog.com/2009/08/24/public-comments-fishing-and-legionnaires/
More thoughts on Standards
Australian Standards have two, almost, distinct categories of standards – technical and management. A safety colleague reminded me of the distinction recently, a distinction that greatly helps the debate of Australian Standards’ authority. Perhaps there continues to be a role for some Standards, such as construction-related standards, that deal specifically with the environmental climate [...]
Posted by Kevin Jones on August 24, 2009
http://safetyatworkblog.com/2009/08/24/more-thoughts-on-standards/
Uncovered holes
Recently SafetyAtWorkBlog reported on a new WorkSafe Victoria guidance on guarding cellar doors. Comcare has started legal action against a company a similar hazard but one located in public. Comcare has instigated proceedings against Australia’s leading telecommunications company, Telstra, for an unguarded pit in a public area. According to the media release dated 19 August [...]
Posted by Kevin Jones on August 21, 2009
http://safetyatworkblog.com/2009/08/21/uncovered-holes/
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