Work Safety Achievers to Be Honoured
In line with its mission to recognise and reward excellence in workplace health and safety, Comcare has announced the names of the finalists for this year’s 2014 Comcare Work Health and Safety Awards.
News
Qantas Worker Terminated for Alcohol Abuse
The Fair Work Commission has deemed fair the decision of Qantas Airways Ltd to terminate the employment of an employee who showed up for work intoxicated.
Woolstar Employee Who Tested Positive For Drugs Was Terminated
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has decided to uphold the termination of a worker who tested positive for cannabis by Woolstar Pty Ltd, saying the levels of THC, the most active compound in cannabis, found in his system during a workplace drug test is “a matter for alarm”.
Cannabis-Smoking Workers Unfazed By Drug Tests
A survey conducted by the National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre (NCPIC) has revealed that one out of three people employed in companies with drug-testing programs in place continue smoking cannabis, believing they are unlikely to be ever tested.
FWC Favours Oral Swabs over Urine Testing
The Fair Work Commission has ruled against urine testing because, unlike oral swabs, urine testing is unjust and invasive, but don’t really offer more than what oral swabs provide.
Why Employers Should Prioritise Safety Programs Instead of Well-Being Programs
It’s heartening to know that many companies are now taking the health and well-being of their employees seriously by implementing well-being programs. Considering that providing medical checks, vaccinations, fitness programs, and even gym memberships were hardly a priority in the past, these programs that help ensure a healthy workforce are a welcome addition in the lives of employees of all ages and rank.
However, for all the benefits that well-being programs offer employees, they should not be the end-all and be-all of an organisation’s WHS or Work Health and Safety management system. Unfortunately, many employers today seem to put a lot more emphasis on well-being programs than those that concern overall workplace safety.
Read MoreFWC Reinstates Ferry Operator Positive For Marijuana
A ferry master, dismissed after he tested positive for marijuana use the night before the ferry he was operating met an accident, was ordered reinstated by the Fair Work Commission despite the zero-tolerance drug and alcohol policy of his employer.
Mandatory Drug Testing For Victorian Government Construction Sites
The Victorian government is now requiring random testing for drug and alcohol use on people working on all Victorian Government construction projects, according to a press release posted on the Premier of Victoria website.