All work processes where workers might be exposed to respirable silica will be considered high risk and subjected to tougher WHS regulations unless risk assessments prove otherwise, under one of a string of changes agreed by Australia's WHS ministers.
Some high physical and mental workloads can be unmodifiable and lead to poor health outcomes, but altering direct and indirect factors can influence a worker's perception of their workload, facilitating their wellbeing, researchers say.
The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) has released new guidelines to help employers monitor, measure, analyse and evaluate their workplace health and safety performance, and warned against over-relying on lag indicators.
The commencement date for South Australia's new offence of industrial manslaughter has been confirmed, while a WHS regulator has announced a crackdown on poor housekeeping in an industry with a high rate of serious musculoskeletal disorders.
Employers have been reminded of their WHS duties to pregnant and parent workers, and urged to make ergonomic adjustments where needed, after a major project found these workers continue to face "vast discrimination, disadvantage, and bias".
A major law firm is targeting body, mind, culture and place through a holistic wellbeing program with strategies ranging from "desk stretch cards" to vicarious trauma training, and its employees are reaping the rewards with reductions in depression, stress and anxiety.
Eating badly can be as bad for workers' alertness and safety outcomes as sleep deprivation, according to a leading dietitian who urges employers to "make the healthy choice the easy choice" in workplaces.
Disingenuous attempts by companies to curb s-xual harassment in response to increased attention on the matter are damaging the chances for change, according to the latest instalment of a landmark Australian study.
Former Federal S-x Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick has been tasked with shifting her focus to a new sector and ensuring employers are complying with their positive duties to prevent harassment and protect the safety of staff.