Business case seems to miss worker safety

The Victorian Government has released the business case for the Melbourne Metro Rail project, a project that involves extensive tunnelling and high risk activities.  Most of the discussion about safety in the document seems to focus more on end-user benefits than on those who will be constructing the project.  The business case can be seen as a missed opportunity …

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What happened to leadership?

SafeSearch has released the latest edition of its Australasian survey of occupational health and safety (OHS) salaries.  A couple of years ago the recruitment company started including some qualitative questions.  The latest survey generated a media release  that says “…the role of safety within an organisation is being redefined due to out-dated and ineffective strategies.” And … Continue reading “What happened to leadership?”

Talking about safety – old skills in new ways

Australia’s latest Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, has a strong background in technology investment and is urging the country to embrace innovation.  This has generated a focus on information technology start-ups but it may also create opportunities for occupational health and safety (OHS) professionals, if they are willing to change. There has been a quick growth …

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New workplace bullying report raises awareness in UK

Recently workplace bullying gained increased attention in the United Kingdom due to media report about a discussion paper released by Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas). The report called “Seeking better solutions: tackling bullying and ill-treatment in Britain’s workplaces” is a very good summary of thinking on workplace bullying that acknowledges the Australian experience but seems to indicate …

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OHS Professionals get, or want, global attention

The International Network of Safety & Health Practitioner Organisations (INSHPO) has launched the “The OHS Professional Capability Framework – A Global Framework for Practice“.  The document reflects many of the issues raised in recently published research on occupational health and safety (OHS) professionalism, accreditation and certification.  However there are a couple of useful issues to note, … Continue reading “OHS Professionals get, or want, global attention”

Psychology of aggression and risk control

Recently an Australian law firm, Herbert Smith Freehills, conducted a series of seminars that provided a different perspective on issues related to workplace mental health and safety.  Dr Lisa Warren of Code Black Threat Management explained her typology of aggressive personalities that can exist in Australian workplaces and defined the psychological profiles of aggressors, stalkers and others. …

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5 experts in 60 minutes

The Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research (ISCRR) has tried a new format for its occupational health and safety (OHS) seminars.  It is not a lunch with a single presenter and it is not a Three-Minute Thesis.  It is five safety researchers in one hour, seven minutes per person and a single question from … Continue reading “5 experts in 60 minutes”