2014

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT, DISABILITIES AND OHS

Pre-employment medical assessment of job applicants has always been a controversial subject, both from a scientific perspective and because of the risk of unfair discrimination.  So is ‘discriminating’ against employing someone on the grounds of pre-existing disability legal (and/or ethical)? Well – yes and no! In a Queensland case a number of years ago (Cambey …

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Productivity and Quality – The “Two-Sided Triangle”

A national survey of 30 of Australia’s top companies (including car makers, insurance offices, oil refineries and computer marketers) found that: … the majority of middle level managers oppose work practices that would improve quality. While senior management is keen to improve quality, middle management often resents having to bear most of the burden of …

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Are your hazards surrounded by a SEP field?

The Somebody Else’s Problem field (SEP field) is a fictional technology from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy “5-part trilogy” by Douglas Adams.  It is a cheaper and more practical alternative to an invisibility field. Simply put, an SEP field is an energy field similar to an invisibility field.  When somebody, or something, is surrounded by a SEP field, the …

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Common-sense is Non-sense

Common Sense is Non-Sense The trouble with common sense is that it is never common and rarely sensible                                           (Confucius) I recently appeared in the Victorian County Court as an expert witness in a civil case. I was disappointed – even saddened – that both the barrister for the plaintiff …

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DON’T GET IPAD NECK!

SAFE TABLETING Tablet devices like the Apple iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, and Amazon Kindle Fire are becoming commonplace in everyday society. Several recent studies (eg by Microsoft, the US Department of Environmental Health and the Harvard School of Public Health) have found that tablet users have a higher potential for “neck and shoulder discomfort” versus …

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KEEPING OUR TEACHERS SAFE

Schools, Early Childhood Development Centres, Kindergartens and Colleges are all workplaces. OHS laws apply. Schools (etc) have a range of health and safety risks that need to be properly managed to make them safe and healthy workplaces, and to minimise the chance of staff being injured. Victoria’s Department of Education – DET – (formerly Education and Early Childhood Development …

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