The Safety Dimensions Blog
A Christmas safety message for busy retailers
As Victoria's retail sector heads into its busy Christmas and January sales period, employers and employees are being reminded to pay attention to workplace safety. Victorian WorkCover Authority (VWA) inspectors have begun visiting retail stores across the state to...
‘Managing’ WHS Risks, Not ‘Mitigating’ Them
Taking the Next Step¦.'Managing' WHS Risks, Not 'Mitigating' Them Dr Paul Johnston - Lead Consultant & Facilitator, Safety Dimensions We use the WHS risk management cycle on a daily basis. However, in many instances, we only consider the overt management issues,...
Do mature workers really add value to a business?
Do mature workers really add value to a business? Bruce Helyard - Senior Facilitator, Safety Dimensions and Leadership Dimensions. Subject to the passing of legislation, the Federal government is attempting to keep older workers in the workforce though with $304...
First prosecution of an officer under WHS ACT
Canberra construction company Kenoss Contractors and its acting director have been accused of safety breaches related to a failure to maintain safe work systems and a safe work environment without risks to health and safety. The Director of Public Prosecutions will...
Walking the Talk – What does it really mean?
"Walking the Talk" - What does it really mean? While facilitating our leadership programs, the Certificate IV in Frontline Management or Workplace Health and Safety, or in on-site and one-to-one coaching, we hear thousands of employees express common sentiments...
Are we legislating for accidents?
Are we legislating and managing for accidents? Observations of a safety professional. Dr Paul Johnston - Lead Consultant & Facilitator Safety Dimensions. WHS legislation and management frameworks are intended to jointly define a systematic means by which we keep...
Half empty or half full?
A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they'd be asked the half empty or half full question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: How heavy is this glass of...
Cancers from workplace exposure
The Cancer Council estimated that around 7,000 new cases of cancer in Australia each year are caused by exposure to carcinogens in the workplace. The report estimates that as many as 1.5 million Australian workers, engaged in 51 different industries, may be exposed to...
Staying Cool Under Extreme Heat
As summer temperatures soar around the country, Worksafe Victoria shares some advice about how to prevent heat illness from working outdoors in hot weather or where heat is generated as part of work. With temperatures predicted to reach above 40 degrees Celsius across...
Donald’s Disney Safety Video – A Blast From The Past With Relevance Today
Sometimes it takes the ridiculous to remind us how our behaviours and safety standards can be in complete contrast from one environment to the next. In this classic slap-stick Disney cartoon from 1956, J. J. Fate follows Donald Duck through his workday, contrasting...
Waiting For Safety – Why Young People “Wait and See” To Report Hazards
A recently published Canadian study by the Journal of Safety Research showed that young people considered their supervisors one of the barriers to injury prevention and reporting. The study titled Waiting for Safety: Responses By Young Canadian Workers To Unsafe...
Radio Prank Call: A Tragic Lesson For Leaders On Accountability
An application has been filed with Fair Work Australia by radio presenter Mel Greig alleging that Southern Cross Austereo, (owner of Sydney radio station 2Day FM) failed to maintain a safe workplace in the devastating aftermath of a radio prank phone call late last...
What’s The Neuroscience Behind Safe Behaviour?
Neuroscience is an evidenced based approach to understanding how the brain selects new ways of thinking and behaving. It provides clear research that shows that it is possible to shift our hardwired ways of operating and Safety Dimensions is applying this research...
Six Steps to A Knock Out Safety Talk
Six Steps to A Knock Out Safety Talk How do you deliver a knock out workplace safety talk to your staff or leadership team? One of the challenges many senior leaders come to us with is how to craft a safety talk (or public address) that: Isn't boring Demonstrates that...