Bill Calcutt makes some excellent points about the consultative strategy used by the Australian government in its recent 2020 summit. The summit showed that this government had differentiated itself from the previous conservative one through “transparent evidence-based decision making” and a wide consultative base, even though the guests were selected. Sadly, I am not sure …
A British coroner has reflected a common perception on occupational health and safety and how OHS is “taking all the fun out of life”. According to an article in This Is The West Country on 11 June 2008, West Somerset Coroner Michael Rose said “All too often, there isn’t enough challenge for people in this … Continue reading “Risk and empire building”
On 8 June 2008, a US 60 Minutes report on combustible dust joined the conga-line of critics of the Occupational Safety And Health Administration. The tone of the report is set by the reporter, Scott Pelley’s introduction stating that it is OSHA’s responsibility to avoid the explosions. For OHS practitioners and professionals this is a peculiar statement … Continue reading “60 Minutes, Dust and Responsibility for Workplace Safety”
In The Australian on 10 June 2008, Paul Kerin , Professorial Fellow of the Melbourne Business School writes on the rescuing Australia’s various workers’ compensation schemes by removing any state involvement in the insurance schemes. He makes a strong case but writes a few peculiar comments that need consioderation. He says “US workplace deaths would be one-third …
On 3 June 2008, Brian Lehrer of radio station WNYC conducted a discussion on the issues of occupational health safety as it relates to New York City’s second crane collapse in a couple of months and a sharp rise in construction deaths so far in 2008. The speakers are very critical of the Federal Occupational Safety & … Continue reading “New York Crane Safety Podcast”
On 1 June 2008, the South Australian Minister for Road Safety, Carmel Zollo, announced an increased enforcement campaign against drug-affected drivers. In her media statement, Ms Zollo says “When people take drugs and drive, they are taking a deadly risk – and the worst possible outcome of such irresponsible behaviour is a tragic crash. Drug … Continue reading “Roadside drug testing of commercial drivers”
Workplace safety usually gets little attention from mainstream press. Until recently, with the growth of online specialist content, trade publications covered OHS events, but the lead time made the news events of historical interest more than something that generated enthusiasm or outrage. Last weekend the Australian Labor Party in Victoria held its annual conference in Melbourne. The … Continue reading “Safety, Whistleblowers and Media Disinterest”