The best way to describe the Workplace Relations Minister’s speech to Safe Work Australia’s Research Summit on September 9, 2025, is “safe”. Others may say Amanda Rishworth was boring, but what was she expected to say?
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Category: Uncategorized
More OHS voices needed
A new discussion paper from Safe Work Australia (SWA) is interesting in a curious way. Its purpose is confusing, and its final report will not be presented until mid-2026. SWA offers no definition of “best practice” but suggests that consideration should start from the objective of the Model Work Health and Safety Act:
“….to ensure the model WHS laws continue to provide a balanced and nationally consistent framework to secure the health and safety of workers and workplaces.”
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Should executives receive any bonuses if a workplace death has occurred?
Recently, an Australian executive at Cleanaway received a 30% reduction in his short-term bonus as a result of several workplace fatalities. This type of action is not uncommon. Although some of the media note this as a significant occupational health and safety (OHS) consequence, why not lose all of the bonus? Is this just taking away money that the executive had not yet received? Is this a deterrence?
Continue reading “Should executives receive any bonuses if a workplace death has occurred?”
Heat, Harm and the Cost of Denial
As Victoria shivers in the middle of its Winter and a cop-killer runs loose in the mountains in the middle of the state, it may seem odd to think about the occupational health and safety (OHS) context of working in excessive heat. However, give us a couple of months, and it will be a hot topic again in the Southern Hemisphere. (First and last weather pun, I promise)
A recent article in The New York Times (paywalled) examined excessive heat in Spain, providing useful details on the changes being implemented—some old, some new.
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Audio summary of OHS and workers’ compensation article
In the latest 5-minute audio episode, I discuss the intersections of occupational health and safety (OHS) and workers’ compensation, inspired by a recent seminar on “Using Biopsychosocial Risk Profiling to Inform Claim Triage” by ISCRR.
This episode explores the importance of integrating OHS findings into claim triage processes, the need for a more comprehensive understanding of workplace mental health, and the economic and legal implications of prevention.
Stepping outside one’s discipline can sharpen perspectives and drive meaningful change in workplace safety and health.
This is a summary of a longer and more detailed SafetyAtWorkBlog article from August 20, 2025.
Fix the Cake, Not Just the Icing
The Australian Psychological Services has provided some excellent advice on what to look out for when arranging speakers for October, which is both Mental Health Month and National Safe Work Month.
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Audio summary of employer accountability article
In this 5-minute episode, I question the common narratives that shift the focus to affordability and government intervention, emphasising the fundamental obligation of employers to protect their workers. I explore the role of media in shaping public perception and highlight the importance of bringing occupational health and safety professionals to the forefront of discussions. By shifting the narrative, we can move towards sustainable, effective solutions that improve worker safety.
This is a summary of a longer and more detailed SafetyAtWorkBlog article from July 2025.