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”
In February 2010, an Australian Facebook Group has put together a petition to call for a thorough review into issues associated with workplace bullying. The initiative stemmed from the successful prosecution of four men who contributed to the suicide of Brodie Panlock through their bullying behaviours. The petition, subtitled “Petition For Criminal and Workplace Reform In Australia For Psychological Abuse”, has now … Continue reading “Workplace Bullying petition is now online”
The Australian Capital Territory has released a package of new OHS material on workplace bullying. The package includes “advice on responsibilities under the Work Safety Act 2008 with regard to bullying a Checklist for Employers Guidance on how to take a risk management approach to workplace bullying, as is required by the Work Safety Act 2008 Guidance … Continue reading “New OHS resources on workplace bullying”
All workplace incidents result from a combination of actions and circumstances that come together at a specific point in time that can result in injury or damage. WorkSafe Victoria reported on 17 February 2010 about a company that was successfully prosecuted, and fined $A60,000, after a worker had his foot crushed under a forklift. The … Continue reading “Forklift incident leads to amputated foot and $60,000 fine”
A reader has advised that there has been an increase in calls to WorkCover NSW concerning workplace bullying, following the sentencing of four men earlier this week in Victoria. WorkSafe Victoria has confirmed that its advisory service is receiving 30 calls a day on the issue where the regular rate was 10. WorkSafe also says … Continue reading “Workplace bullying awareness increases in Australia”
On 8 February 2010, four workers at Café Vamp, a small restaurant in Melbourne Victoria, were fined a total of $A335,000 for repeatedly bullying, or allowing bullying to occur to, 19-year-old Brodie Panlock. Brodie jumped from a building in September 2006. Her family watched Brodie die from head injuries three days later. They were unaware …
Jeff Sparrow recently gained considerable media attention with his book that reflected on violence in society. Yossi Berger once described occupational health and safety as a “kind of violence” in his book of that title. There is a lot of research into occupational violence, much of it from the United States which, to some extent, has an unrepresentative view of … Continue reading “Dipping into workplace violence”