In 2004, I was asked to make an OHS-themed presentation to a group of paramedic students on ethics and from a small business perspective. Some of the information may have dated slightly but I post this to stimulate discussion. Below is an edited version of that 2004 oral presentation: Quite often, when we have an … Continue reading “A discussion on ethics and OHS decision making”
On an Australian current affairs program on 11 February 2010, the Environment Minister was asked questions over the deaths of insulation installers. Watching the interview was both fascinating and uncomfortable. (Video and transcript is available) The interviewer, Kerry O’Brien, kept the focus on the deaths of the installers, a position that humanises the insulation installation debate and move the … Continue reading “Insulation debate shows flaws in OHS harmonisation plans”
Slips, trips and falls are often the neglected “bastard son” of occupational health and safety but the can cripple and can, literally cost an arm or a leg. The traditional approach to control these hazards have been to make the working environment safer by mopping up spilled liquids, for instance, or be using a piece … Continue reading “Biomarkers for musculoskeletal disorders”
Occupational health and safety used to be above political argy-bargy. It was accepted that the safety of workers was a core importance to the management of any business. Often it operated as a subset of industrial relations and popped its head up occasionally, usually when new of revised legislation was due. Rarely has workplace safety … Continue reading “Changing political support of workplace safety in the US”
There are some OHS professionals in Australia who follow the harmonisation of the country’s OHS laws closely. The current status is that the various public submissions are being analysed and discussed by the Government. But for those who are hankering for some pre-Christmas reading the New South Wales Parliament has released a report called “Managerial … Continue reading “Managerial federalism?”
Some of the best OHS writing comes from the personal. In a couple of days time a new book will go on sale that illustrates big issues from a niche context and brings to the research a degree of truth from the personal experiences of the author. Pia Markkanen has written “Shoes, glues and homework … Continue reading “Shoemaking in South East Asia – book review”
Managing workplace absenteeism often ignores the OHS issues that are integral to the issue. On 20 July 2009 the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development released its findings on the issue in its annual Absence Management Survey. The media statement identifies the reasons for short- and long-term absences. “The main causes of short-term absence are … Continue reading “Absence management data misses the OHS mark”