For several years now evidence has been growing that nightshift is unhealthy. Nightshift and other shiftwork can produce digestive problems, fatigue and impairment, increased breast cancer risks……. OHS and workplace experts seem to avoid the question “should nightshift be allowed?” Recently, a senior executive met with nightshift staff in a remote branch office. The nightshift work … Continue reading “Only vampires work nightshift”
The Australian business newspapers and websites are all reporting on the “dud” contract that Downer EDI has been saddled with over the construction of 78 eight-car trains for New South Wales’ RailCorp. Market analysts say that company has lost $A1.7 billion in value this year. CEO Geoff Knox, a man in genuine risk of becoming unemployed, is … Continue reading “The contract for building safe trains is a “dud” according to CEO”
The Queensland Government has released a public discussion paper into its workers’ compensation scheme. Obviously this was part of the reason for the political argy-bargy in the State in late February 2010 over a report by Deloitte. A major question posed in the discussion paper concerns the application of Whole Person Impairment (WPI) or Work-Related Impairment (WRI) as the … Continue reading “Discussion paper on Queensland workers compensation released”
It is easy to forget that workers compensation is clicking along during this intense period of analysis of OHS laws. Workers compensation legislation passed through Tasmania’s House of Assembly this week (it still needs to get through the Legislative Council). The Minister for Workplace relations, Lisa Singh, highlighted the following components of the changes in a media release on 6 … Continue reading “Tasmania’s workers compensation changes pass”
At secondary school there used to be a pure science and applied sciences. Pure dealt with concepts and applied concerned the application of the concepts. This dichotomy exists in most disciplines and occupational health and safety is no different. Both elements are equally important, research should be able to be applied for social benefit and applied sciences constantly needs new information to try. Some pure … Continue reading “Pure research and applied research on shiftwork”
Recently SafetyAtWorkBlog reported on a new WorkSafe Victoria guidance on guarding cellar doors. Comcare has started legal action against a company a similar hazard but one located in public. Comcare has instigated proceedings against Australia’s leading telecommunications company, Telstra, for an unguarded pit in a public area. According to the media release dated 19 August … Continue reading “Uncovered holes”
The issue of driving while using a mobile is a perennial issue for the media but nothing much changes. The New York Times on 20 July 2009 carried an article on the latest research which confirms many previous studies that using a mobile phone while driving increases the risk of an accident. No US State … Continue reading “Driving and talking”