Audiometric (hearing) testing shows that we still have some way to go to defeat 'noise induced hearing loss' which progressively steals the ability to communicate and, if noise exposure continues unabated, eventually socially isolates its victims. New evidence shows that the use of personal MP3 players has opened another front for the development of this serious affliction in younger people.

How badly did this year’s flu season impact upon productivity within your business/company? Figures show that 1 million working days are lost in Australia each year due to the flu and that 2,500 Australians die from the flu each year.

Restaurants can be loud—very loud. In Victoria and NSW, 85 dBA is the end of the WorkCover safe limit at which workers can complete an eight-hour day without wearing ear protection. Compare this to loud, noisy restaurants where customers and staff are regularly exposed to levels above this limit.

The Telstra "debacle" has put the asbestos debate back into the news with comments by Malcolm Turnbull, the opposition communications spokesperson,and $10.5 million pledged for asbestos protection by the Federal Government as reported in The Age on 19th June.

Happy employees help to make organisations more successful. The good news is that work can provide opportunities for many of the things that help to make people happy such as connecting with others; learning and growing skills; achieving goals and finding meaning. There are things we can all do to help make our workplaces happier and thus more productive.

OHS/WHS Regulations are complex and wide in scope encompassing asbestos, hazardous substances, noise, plant and high risk work. The regulations are supported by compliance codes, guidance notes and Australian Standards which provide specific direction on issues such as storage and handling of dangerous goods; design of ladders, platforms and walkways; electrical testing and tagging; and lighting and ventilation.

The WorkHealth grants program has been an exceptional tool to help fund wellbeing activities in the workplace. One study has found that employees who walk 10,000 steps per day and work out in the gym 3 times per week could be worth an extra $2,500 in productivity per year.¹

The dynamic nature of construction sites adds to the challenge of meeting the Model Work Health and Safety Regulations and Code of Practice for Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work which have been adopted in most Australian jurisdictions.

The Model Regulations require employers or “persons conducting a business or undertaking” to meet the noise standard through a “hierarchy” of controls.