“The Fair Work Amendment Bill 2013 fails to strike the right balance in achieving fairness for employees and employers, and ensuring a flexible and productive workplace relations system. The Bill includes a number of problematic provisions which should be scrutinised through a Parliamentary Committee inquiry before the Bill is considered by either House of Parliament,” said Ai Group Chief Executive Innes Willox. [ + ]

Industrial Scientific has announced that its gas detection as a service solution, known as iNet, was recognised as ‘Health & Safety Initiative of the Year’ at the Gulf Coast Oil & Gas Awards held in Texas last month. [ + ]

For three days, the Melbourne Exhibition Centre was abuzz with safety innovation and insights last week, as experts and vendors at the workplace health and safety trade show dished out serious safety solutions and advice. [ + ]

The ACT Work Health and Safety Commissioner, Mark McCabe, has announced that he will be hosting a major conference on work safety in the construction industry in Canberra in June of this year. [ + ]

New Zealanders who fall ill experience significantly worse financial and work outcomes than those with a comparable injury, according to University of Otago research. [ + ]

WorkCover NSW is urging all businesses and workers to be safe when working with and around vehicles after the fourth worker since June 2012 was killed recently. [ + ]

St John Ambulance Australia research reveals millions of employees could be at risk due to a lack of first aid awareness. [ + ]

Industrial hand cleaner wins Top Product award. [ + ]

Presentations and discussions were focussed on safety thought leadership, insight and innovation at the 2013 OHS Leaders Summit which was held in February. [ + ]

SafeWork SA is calling for applications for the 2013 Augusta Zadow scholarships, which support the health and safety of women in the workplace. [ + ]

WorkSafe Victoria has launched a new campaign to help injured workers get back on their feet and back to work. [ + ]

Police, firefighters and other protective services workers who are repeatedly exposed to traumatic events and are new to their profession are at greater risk of developing a psychiatric disorder, according to a new study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The researchers also found that protective services workers do not appear to have a higher prevalence of mental health problems than workers in other occupations. The study results are featured in the February 2013 issue of Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness. [ + ]

The Wood Products Manufacturing Industry Action Plan was launched by WorkCover NSW to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses and improve injury management. [ + ]

A Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Alertness, Safety and Productivity will be established, after a federal government announcement. [ + ]

More has been learned about the impact that antimicrobial agents, when used in antibacterial soaps, have on hand hygiene, human health and the environment. [ + ]