At 143 dB the HyperWhistle, claimed to be the Worlds loudest whistle, exceeds the legislated peak maximum workplace standard and cannot be used without hearing protection (which it comes with).

After an extreme weather event, it is difficult to know where to start the clean-up. The feeling of being overwhelmed can make it hard to digest conflicting information, much of which is incomplete and can leave you exposed to unforeseen risks.

On the 1 July 2021, new laws gave the Victorian Environment Protection Authority (EPA) increased powers to prevent harm to public health and the environment from pollution and waste. Importantly, The General Environmental Duty (GED), a centrepiece of the new laws, is criminally enforceable.

The relationship between ventilation and the airborne transmission of COVID has been in the news over the last few months. Is this something that you should be considering? The simple answer is a resounding YES! A research article titled ‘A guideline to limit indoor airborne transmission of COVID-19’ says: ‘Airborne transmission arises through the inhalation of aerosol droplets exhaled by an infected person and is now thought to be the primary transmission route of COVID-19.’

The importation of asbestos is again finding its way into the news. In March, Border Force tested four shipments of imported products and all four were found to contain asbestos, whilst in September asbestos was found in building materials imported from China. This appears to be a continuing issue and one that puts Australian workers at risk from uncontrolled exposure to working with asbestos containing materials.

The fire on the carrier ship Felicity Ace, carrying many luxury cars including electric cars, has prompted us all to have another look at how we store and use lithium batteries.

People are vaxxed out after having several COVID vaccinations. The concern is that, combined with almost no flu last year, they will drag their feet about having a Flu Vaccination.

Following the significant rise in COVID cases as a result of the movement away from elimination strategies and the strain on PCR testing, we have seen a rise in interest in Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs). But what role to RATs play in workplace COVID-19 risk management and what are the considerations for their use?

JTA has seen an increased focus from regulators, government agencies and proactive organisations in seeking out a holistic approach to worker health management. Organisations looking to conform or align to AS/NZS ISO 450001 can incorporate a Health and Hygiene Management Plan into their management system.

There is growing scientific acceptance by the WHO and others that COVID-19 transmission is much more airborne than previously thought.  Ventilation systems are key to the prevention of transmission of pollutants and recent research indicates that COVID-19, transmitted in aerosols from infected persons, is susceptible to control by ventilation.