Occupational health and safety
ALTERNATIVE LABELS
Industrial safety
Workplace health and safety
NARROWER TERMS
Article
Psychosocial safety is everyone’s right and everyone’s responsibility
Psychosocial hazards in the workplace such as harassment, bullying and poorly managed supervision and training can result in stress, burnout and worse. This article outlines some of the laws and organisational cultural changes that can help identify, assess and eliminate or mitigate psychosocial hazards and...
Report
Good practices for handling whistleblower disclosures
This report provides insights for companies and superannuation trustees when designing programs or frameworks to manage whistleblowing in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001. The good practices identified are scalable and include examples of how executives and directors oversee whistleblower programs.
Report
The future of work: designing for safety, wellbeing and the workplaces of tomorrow
The future of work is a context that is rapidly being shaped by powerful forces - the growing adoption of artificial intelligence in the workplace, the increasing casualisation of the workforce, and the decentralised nature of where and how work is being performed. This report...
Report
Communication counts: helping small business supervisors support ill and injured workers to return to the workplace
For this project, BETA collaborated with Safe Work Australia to adapt existing return to work materials for use by supervisors in Small and Medium Enterprises and undertook a literature review, stakeholder consultation, and data analysis.
Survey
Time for respect: fifth national survey on sexual harassment in Australian workplaces
This report outlines the findings of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s latest survey on the prevalence, nature and reporting of sexual harassment in Australia, with a focus on workplaces. This is the fifth such survey undertaken by the Australian Human Rights Commission since 2003.
Report
Joint Select Committee on Parliamentary Standards: final report
The Australian Parliament has long sought to address the issue of codes of conduct. The Committee recommends that parliamentary consideration of this report, including the proposed behaviour standards and codes, should maintain a primary focus on ensuring that Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces are safe and respectful...
Report
Teachers at breaking point: why working in South Australian schools is getting tougher
This report examines the shifting nature of teachers’ work, pointing to growing complexity and increasing professional demands. This research is the first of its kind in South Australia, and provides new insights into the impact of increased demands upon teachers’ wellbeing.
Briefing paper
Towards a thriving healthcare workforce
Healthcare workers are the cornerstone of health service delivery and quality of patient care. This brief identifies and discusses four areas where policy action should be taken to protect healthcare worker safety and wellbeing now and into the future.
Report
Australian teachers’ perceptions of their work in 2022
This report details findings of the 2022 'Monash University teachers’ perceptions of their work' survey - a study of Australian teachers’ perceptions of their career experiences.
Report
It's broken: workers' compensation in NSW since 2012
Workers’ compensation is an essential safety net, and is intended to provide a degree of financial protection for those workers unfortunate enough to be injured at work. This report explores NSW’s workers’ compensation framework since it was reformed in 2012.
Article
Where there’s a will, there’s a way: regulators and collaboration
The new regulatory model recommended by Respect@Work maximises and improves the existing legislative framework, recognising the right of workers to be free from sexual harassment is a human right, a workplace right and a safety right.
Report
Enabling an ageing workforce
This research reveals insights into how a ‘safeness by design’ lens can enable an ageing Australian workforce. Such an approach needs to balance pre-emptive and reactive safety measures, focusing on creating a safe and supportive working environment for all workers.
Discussion paper
Proposed review framework for the list of occupational diseases in the Accident Compensation Act 2001
This discussion document provides a review of Schedule 2 of the New Zealand Accident Compensation Act 2001. The New Zealand Government welcomes views on the proposed framework, alternative options and/or any other relevant points.
Report
Generation expendable? Older women workers in the pandeconomy
Understanding the importance of secure, safe and flexible work as women age, this research project sought to benchmark work outcomes and conditions under the COVID-19 pandemic and to provide a platform for less heard voices.
Working paper
Developing international benchmarks of patient safety culture in hospital care
Improving patient safety culture (PSC) is a significant priority for OECD countries as they work to improve healthcare quality and safety. This document reports on patient safety within hospitals across the OECD.
Technical report
Health and safety management using building information modelling: phase three report
Construction presents high rates of fatalities and injuries and is known as one of the most dangerous industries in which to work. This technical report is part of a worldwide trend to develop better tools for collaborative decision making on construction projects through improved information...
Guide
A best practice guide for flexible and work-from-home arrangements
Flexibility, and work-from-home in particular, should be viewed as a change to the work context that may introduce new workplace health and safety (WHS) hazards. This guide provides practical advice to enhance flexible worker wellbeing through the continual advancement of the organisation’s capability to promote...
Report
Set the standard: report on the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces
In March 2021, the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces was established by the Australian government. Conducted by the Australian Human Rights Commission and led by the Sex Discrimination Commissioner, the review was asked to make recommendations to ensure that Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces are safe...
Briefing paper
Silicosis and the manufactured stone industry: an update
The NSW Legislative Council’s Standing Committee on Law and Justice is currently examining the management of silicosis in the manufactured stone industry as part of its annual review of the NSW Dust Diseases Scheme. This e-brief is a modified version of a paper that the...
Report
Review of WorkSafe New Zealand’s performance of its regulatory functions in relation to activities on Whakaari White Island
This is a review of the way in which WorkSafe New Zealand performed its regulatory functions in relation to Whakaari White Island eruption in 2019.
Briefing paper
Mentally healthy workplaces: facilitators, motivators and barriers to improved management of psychosocial risks at work
This summary report is based on the qualitative study exploring the barriers and motivators to workers and businesses in adopting and maintaining mental health interventions and strategies.
Report
Review of the parliamentary workplace: responding to serious incidents
This review found that current procedures and processes are not designed or able to respond appropriately to serious incidents in the Australian parliamentary workplace, particularly with regard to sexual assault. The most significant gap is the absence of readily accessible, timely, independent, trauma-informed services and...
Report
Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces: progress update 2021
The Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces was established in March 2021. This progress update outlines the work of the review to date, including the methodology.
Report
Equality across the board: investing in workplaces that work for everyone
This report presents research into the collection and reporting of workplace data relevant to sexual harassment by ASX200 companies. The report provides insights into how companies currently collect and use data relating to sexual harassment, and based on those insights, makes recommendations about the role...
Strategy
NDIS national workforce plan: 2021-2025
This strategy document outlines the Australian government’s commitment to work with NDIS participants, industry and other stakeholders to grow a responsive and capable workforce for the NDIS.