Several years ago, I visited the Don Smallgoods food manufacturers in the west of Melbourne. I was visiting food manufacturers during the writing and design of the first edition of the WorkSafe Victoria guide on Manual Handling in the Food Industry. (The current edition is available HERE) Many photos in that first edition came from the Don factory. Now … Continue reading “Closing of Don Smallgoods factory in Victoria”
WorkSafe Victoria has launched a new advertising campaign emphasising its role as an OHS inspectorate (click image below to view). The emphasis fits that of WorkSafe’s CEO, John Merritt, who has pledged mre inspectorate resources and enforcement in the future. The ad is clever in its structure by relieving the boss’ tension over an expected WorkSafe inspector … Continue reading “Workplace Safety Inspector Ad”
Earlier this year, the Charlotte Observer began researching avian influenza but ended up with an expose about occupational health and safety in the US poultry industry, called “The Cruelest Cuts”. A recent podcast, and vodcast (I recommend the vodcast), highlights many safety management issues that are relevant to other industries and other jurisdictions Migrant labour … Continue reading “OHS lessons from investigations into the US poultry industry”
Earlier this year, the Victorian Premier, John Brumby, announced a workplace program called WorkHealth. This illness prevention program is to be funded from WorkCover premium income and will focus on combatting health issues such as diabetes, cholesterol and obesity. The rationale for the program is that poor health is contributing to workplace injuries and impeding … Continue reading “WorkSafe and (maybe) WorkHealth”
The Safety institute of Australia has tried a different approach with their 2008 safety conference on April 29. It’s first day was dominated by a single stream of CEOs and senior executives talking about how they see safety. I expected a day of cliches but these were refreshingly minimal. There were a few mentions of … Continue reading “Safety in Action Conference Report – Day One”