Archived News for OHS Sector Professionals

Some 2.5 million Australians ceased a job during the year ending February 2012 according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Around 1 in 6 of these lost their last job because they were retrenched, made redundant or their employer went out of business. In 2010, around 1 in 5 people reported that they lost their last job for these reasons (compared with 1 in 10 in 2008).

The most common main reasons for ceasing a last job during the year ending February 2012 were:

20% left their last job voluntarily to obtain better job or conditions;
17% said that their last job was temporary or seasonal; and
14% left their job due unsatisfactory work conditions.

Other findings from the survey were:

Of the 12.7 million Australians who worked at some time during the previous 12 months, around 90% or 11.4 million people were employed at February 2012. Of these:

one in five (2.3 million) had worked with their current employer/business for less than 12 months of whom almost half (1.2 million) had changed their employer/business in the last 12 months; and
males aged 35–44 years (65%) and 45–54 (64%) most commonly changed employer/business compared to females for whom the age groups most likely to change employer/business were 25–34 and 55–59 (both 58%).

Around 7.3 million employees working at February 2012 had been with their current employer for one year or more. Of these:

1.9 million employees (26%), experienced some change in work; and
around half (49%) of those who had experienced a change in work, had changed the number of hours usually worked, 46% had been promoted and 10% changed occupation (people may have reported more than one change in work).

Study highlights increase in computer-related pain

Office workers from all professions are experiencing unprecedented levels of neck, back, shoulder and arm pain as an unintended consequence of the paperless office, according to new University of Sydney research.

Queensland to hold roundtable to look at new WHS

The Queensland Government has held a roundtable discussion with industry groups to examine the national Workplace Health and Safety Laws introduced at the start of the year.

Government launches anti-racism campaign

The Federal Government has launched Australia’s National Anti-Racism Strategy, with Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and Minister for Multicultural Affairs Senator Kate Lundy calling on all Australians to stand against racism.

Queensland passes NHVR law

The Queensland Government has passed legislation establishing Australia’s first National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, which is now due to commence operations at the beginning of January next year.

Australians less likely to make mental health claims

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).

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.