Archived News for OHS Sector Professionals
Australians are significantly less likely to claim GP visits for psychological illnesses on workers’ compensation than they are for physical work-related injuries, according to research conducted by the Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research (ISCRR).
Conducted in partnership with the University of Sydney, the research examined 486,000 GP visits around Australia between 2004 and 2009, with doctors recording whether the patient’s health problem was work-related and whether the visit was being claimed through worker’s compensation.
ISCRR’s Chief Research Officer, Dr Alex Collie, said that over 22 per cent of workers didn’t make compensation claims even though their GP had determined that the illness was work-related.
Comcare releases sedentary work practices toolkit
National workplace safety agency Comcare has released its sedentary work practices toolkit, a collection of information, guidance materials and templates that can help workplaces develop and apply a strategy to reduce prolonged sitting in the workplace.
NSW streamlines workers compensation obligations for councils
The New South Wales Government has announced reform that will make it easier for Government-owned entities, local government and public universities to lodge security deposits to cover workers compensation obligations.
Ridge nominated for safety award
Western Australia’s newly appointed head of resources safety, Simon Ridge, has been nominated for the Next Generation Mining Australia Summit’s Occupational Health and Safety Leader of 2012 Award.
Tasmania urges WHS participation
The Tasmanian Government has urged greater participation by employees and employers in a number of events being held around the State in the lead up to the introduction of new workplace health and safety laws at the beginning of next year.
Workers would rather quit than deal with issues
An alarming 46 per cent of Australian workers would rather quit their job than contend with a workplace issue, according to suicide prevention group R U OK?
ADF review calls for sexual misconduct unit
A review of gender discrimination within the ranks of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has concluded that the formation of a sexual misconduct unit is necessary to combat the prevalence of gender discrimination within the armed forces.
ACT public servants claim $90 million over three years
ACT public servants claim $90 million over three years Public servants in the Australian Capital Territory have claimed an estimated $90 million over three years in workers compensations in illnesses and injuries in the workplace.
Comcare announces 2012 National Conference
National occupational health and safety agency, Comcare, has outlined further details of its 2012 National Conference.
WA seeks comment on OHS regulations
The Western Australian Government has called for comment on the costs and benefits of the proposed national Work Health and Safety (WHS) reform as they apply to the State’s workplaces.
WorkCover NSW to hold injury prevention webinar
The WorkCover Authority of NSW has announced it will hold a free webinar later this month to help businesses better understand how to manage hazardous manual tasks in their workplaces.
Safework SA opens Augusta Zadow Scholarships
The South Australian Government has announced $20,000 in scholarship funding is now available for those working to better the working conditions of women throughout the state.
WorkSafe launches housing campaign
WorkSafe Victoria has announced a team of inspectors will be visiting housing construction sites across the state as part of the 12-month Operation SafeSite campaign.
WorkSafe Victoria hits out at construction safety
WorkSafe Victoria inspectors are increasingly finding high risk construction work being performed on sites without a suitable safety plan.
CSIRO tackles cattle gate safety
The CSIRO has partnered with farmer and inventor Edward Evans to prevent farmer death and injury by helping to produce a new, safe cattle gate.
Greens pledge to make Canberra 'the work safety capital'
The ACT Greens have released their Industrial Relations election initiative, aiming to make Canberra the ‘work safety capital’ of the country.
Skilled migrants in low paid jobs risk depression
A study conducted by the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR) has found that skilled migrants to Australia who are unable to find jobs that utilize their education and qualifications are substantially more likely to suffer from mental health issues after three and a half years.
WorkSafe Victoria announces western blitz
WorkSafe Victoria has announced it will be focusing its Return to Work inspectors in the western Melbourne suburbs of Laverton, Hoppers Crossing and Werribee, aiming to ensure that employees are complying with their return to work obligations for injured workers.
Almost one third of young people experience or witness workplace bullying
A recent survey has revealed that almost one in three young people have been bullied or have witnessed bullying at work.
New executive for Resources Safety
The Western Australian Government has announced the appointment of Simon Ridge, the State's Mining Engineer, as the new executive director of Resources Safety, the body charged with enforcing safe work practices across the state's mining and resources sector. Mr Ridge was promoted to the role following the retirement of Malcolm Russell.