Recently SafetyAtWorkBlog wondered why the ACT OHS Commissioner referenced a commercial website instead of a government authority. The commercial website was www.fluthreat.com operated by HSA Group which since early April 2009 is part of Medibank Private. Fluthreat.com.au provides information on its Flu At Work page that is very flimsy and seems to be intended to … Continue reading “Corporate health adviser’s recommendations on swine flu”
Recently in 2009, the Health Services Australia company launched a new swine flu website. The HSA site is run by a private health services company and came to the attention of SafetyAtWorkBlog through a news item by the OHS Commissioner of the Australian Capital Territory. The ACT OHS Commissioner may not be endorsing … Continue reading “Not another Australian swine flu website!?”
Some time ago SafetyAtWorkBlog was critical of OHS regulators releasing swine flu information because the advice was not being easily translated in the workplace, and some of the advice was just silly. Much better advice is available from the New South Wales government however, curiously, the Workplace Guide to Managing Influenza Pandemic has been issued … Continue reading “The latest OHS advice on managing swine flu”
In 2005 I had the great opportunity to spend some time with Peter Sandman, a world renowned risk communicator. We spoke about worst case scenarios and risk communication in those times of avian influenza and smallpox threats. The interview has gained additional poignancy in this time of swine flu. Although the audio is “noisy” … Continue reading “Worst Case Scenarios and Pandemics – 2005 interview”
Australia’s swine flu numbers are increasing and the government is introducing new measures regularly in response. I write this post from self-imposed isolation from the swine flu outbreak in my son’s high school. There are some interesting decisions that have been made which provide me with optimism but also illustrate some useful personnel management actions. I … Continue reading “Swine Flu – isolation – a personal view”
The community is not getting as concerned about nanotechnology as expected (or perhaps as needed). There is the occasional scare and the Australian unions have relaunched their campaign on the hazards of nanotechnology manufacturing. There have been several articles about the potential ecosystem damage of nanotechnology in our waterways. Frequently, it can be heard that nanotechnology is … Continue reading “Fearing the invisible – selling nanotechnology hazards”
SafetyAtWorkBlog has no expertise in the control of infectious diseases. Any enquiries received on the issue are directed to the official information on government websites such as Australia’s Dept for Health & Ageing or the US Centre for Disease Control, or international authorities such as WHO. But this creates a dilemma for OHS regulators. If the … Continue reading “Influenza – dilemma for OHS regulators”