A commissioner did not make a mistake when he ordered an employer to reinstate a worker, who had undergone spinal surgery, without explicitly finding he was capable of safely carrying out his role, a full bench has found.
Australian researchers have found the rate of same-level falls in workplaces is set to surge among a major group of workers, and urged employers to implement tailored interventions, including for remote-work arrangements.
Managers have been urged to target the factors that exacerbate work stress and lead to sleep disorders, with a 12-year study suggesting this can reduce the risk of "poorer work ability trajectories" among older workers.
A six-week "physical induction" to get new workers into the right condition to perform their role safely is one critical part of Australia Post's "endeavour" to prevent "predictable" injuries.
There remains a lack of awareness and concern about the serious health dangers posed by welding fumes, an important and timely Australian study has found, with stakeholders noting industry-wide education and legislative changes are needed to remove barriers to the use of proper safety controls.
Older workers report higher stress levels than their younger colleagues, and are more likely to experience musculoskeletal pain, when the number of days they spend working from home exceeds their preferences, an Australian study has found.
Employers should be arming managers against the myths, misconceptions and stereotypes around the ability of workers to work safely as they age, an organisational psychologist specialising in workplace transitions has advised.
The Federal Court has increased a damages award by more than $200,000 for a worker, now in his 70s, who suffered a psychiatric injury from feeling pressured to retire. However, it rejected the worker's claim his employer's actions involved a work health and safety breach.
Employers are now expected to take greater ownership of the WHS challenges posed by global supply chain pressures and changing technologies - an expectation that will be enforced by regulators under Australia's new 10-year WHS strategy, which identifies six key emerging issues.