The blindingly obvious
Why do people fail to see problems they have previously been told have the potential to cause workplace harm?
Recently in Queensland, a report into security concerns at a remote health services facility stayed in a manager’s “in” basket for more than a year.
Despite the report urging that security be tightened, no action was taken until it was too late. A nurse was raped before the report gained the attention it deserved.
The circumstances surrounding this incident are still to be fully investigated. But it brings into focus the need for an increased awareness of the role that mental processes and behaviour can play in determining our day-to-day responses to significant workplace issues.
To read the full story, go to page 16 of the June 2008 issue of National Safety.
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The weakest link
An unauthorised work procedure escaped the attention of management and eventually led to the death of two workers.
A supervisor introduced the unauthorised procedure. He had used it in his previous job.
The case is a reminder that employers may be prosecuted for OHS risks, even where one of their staff introduces unsafe work practices contrary to existing safe work practices and without the knowledge and approval of management.
To read the full story, go to page 38 of the June 2008 edition of National Safety.
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Manual handling training: Does it work?
Not unless you teach the real risks. Manual handling training on its own cannot prevent back pain or disability.
What’s more, a research paper recently published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) found “no evidence that training with or without lifting equipment is effective in the prevention of back pain or consequent disability”.
The research findings appear to suggest: “Don’t bother training your staff in safe manual handling, or providing lifting equipment to assist – it won’t help”.
However, engineering principles tell us that there is merit in training.
To read the full story, go to page 44 of the June 2008 edition of National Safety.
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