evidence – SafetyAtWorkBlog

Legal advice is not always as helpful as it may seem

The risks of not managing psychosocial hazards at work were heightened when SafeWorkNSW issued a prohibition notice to the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) following allegations of potential psychological harm to staff associated with a restructuring strategy in September last year. The reactions included confusion and outrage at an occupational health and safety (OHS) regulator entering territory that has traditionally been ruled by Human Resources. Well, welcome to the new world of work and OHS.

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Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country

Safe Work Australia has just published a summary report of its review into best practice. It is a curious document, essentially a summary of the perspectives of many organisations interested in occupational health and safety (OHS), particularly regarding OHS laws. It is an important distinction that this review was not about OHS but the laws that we use to provide safe and healthy work.

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Evidence that the four-day work week provides psychological health benefits

Recently, I bemoaned the lack of evidence on the occupational health and safety (OHS) benefits of a four-day work week. A reader pointed me to the research of sociologist Wen Fan. The most accessible way to her research is through an episode of the “Psych Health and Safety Podcast” from September 2025.

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Poor Editing Undermines Good Safety Thinking

There is a strong trend among occupational health and safety (OHS) professionals and leadership coaches to self-publish books. Printing technology has made this much easier than previously. Artificial Intelligence will make it more so. The content might be okay, but many of these books need professional editing. Reading and learning are not just about the words on the page but also about the experience of reading a book that should become a treasured friend and a reliable reference.

Sadly, I recently purchased a book that is full of good intentions, but it’s not enjoyable.

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The 1970s Never Ended for Some Employers

For the last few years in Australia, occupational health and safety (OHS) laws have required that the prevention of psychosocial hazards be given the same prominence as the prevention of physical hazards. The most effective recommendation for change is the redesign of work, but very few employers seem to be applying this control. Many employers are still asking (their Human Resources officer) what this psychosocial stuff is all about.

Examining organisational culture at one Australian institution that failed to prevent and may have generated psychological harm in the 1970s provides some context for contemporary OHS struggles.

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“She simply had too much work to do” – WorkSafe Awards 2025

Psychological safety dominated the 2025 WorkSafe Victoria Awards held in late February 2026. (At somepoint, WorkSafe is going to have to bring the awards back to the Safety Month schedule of October) This is perhaps not surprising, as psychological safety and psychosocial hazards remain hot issues in Victoria, but some other important finalists shone.

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Why AI Still Can’t Tell What SafetyAtWorkBlog Really Thinks

Many internet search engines and browsers offer an Artificial Intelligence (AI) search function. The answers seem palatable, convenient and accurate, but are they? I tested the AI search function to see for myself.

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