I find it interesting that many executives that I’ve met over the years say “I want a strong safety culture in my organisation”, but when I enquire about their goal, most can’t explain what safety culture is, and even fewer know how to achieve it.

Safe Work Australia is the principal national organisation that is driving the harmonisation of work health and safety laws with the aim to achieve the best possible approach to health and safety for all Australian workplaces.

It seems that in a world dominated by social and corporate responsibility, little of this goodwill is cascading down to the operational grassroots of roof maintenance and inspection work. Either that, or initial good intentions are being changed or diluted by people with little regard for people’s safety or insufficient experience to make good decisions about roof safety.

The Industrial Court of Queensland has found against the principles set down by the High Court in the Kirk decision, on the basis that the relevant legislation in Queensland and New South Wales can not be considered analogous.

The development of new gloves and other hand protection products is expanding to a global focus, drawing feedback on needs of users in many diverse industries from around the globe.

WorkCover NSW is stepping up the fight against workplace bullying with a new awareness campaign.

A recent European workplace health and safety survey shows that there are many concerns over work-related stress, but few companies are in a position to deal with it.

The reform of workers compensation legislation in Victoria will impact employers and their employees in a number of ways.

‘Human error’ is often associated with workplace accidents. But is that really the cause or is it more a case of ‘human action’?

Following a recent series of tragic road incidents involving heavy vehicles, the NSW government launched a campaign to encourage heavy vehicle companies and drivers to take greater responsibility for road safety.

An Australian eye-wear manufacturer suggests that many employers have been ‘blind’ to changes to the Australian standard for prescription eye protection.

The International Labour Organisation’s ‘World Day for Safety and Health at Work’ focuses on emerging risks and new forms of prevention in the ever-changing workplace.

Australian workers rate among the best dressed in the world with safety clothing and ancillary items; but when it comes to striding out, they have a habit of falling over!

Drug and alcohol testing is one of the most contentious issues in the workplace - detection versus impairment, employees’ rights versus employers’ responsibilities, ensuring worker safety versus dictating workers’ lifestyles, just to name a few of the issues. Despite the polarised views that often exist towards drugs and alcohol in the workplace and testing for them, there are important practical issues that must be understood and addressed to ensure the workplace is safe and fair.

The global imperative for companies to operate in a socially responsible manner is driving the interest in sustainable production. Here, a key area that can influence success is safety. Marcia Walker, Program Manager, Rockwell Automation and Dan Hornbeck, Safety Market Development Manager, take a closer look.