tag:theconversation.com,2011:/us/topics/occupational-health-and-safety-3487/articlesOccupational health and safety – The Conversation2024-02-05T05:12:15Ztag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2196122024-02-05T05:12:15Z2024-02-05T05:12:15ZMillions of Australians have a chronic illness. So why aren’t employers accommodating them?<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/573331/original/file-20240205-22-173q39.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=35%2C188%2C5955%2C3799&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://unsplash.com/photos/a-woman-working-in-a-factory-with-a-lot-of-boxes-NixrmlDt-6E">Kat von Wood/Unsplash</a></span></figcaption></figure><p><a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/health-conditions-prevalence/2022">More than 20 million Australians</a> have at least one long-term health condition, <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/labour/employment-and-unemployment/barriers-and-incentives-labour-force-participation-australia/latest-release#data-downloads">63%</a> of whom are in the workforce. </p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/topics/chronic-conditions/about-chronic-conditions">causes of chronic illness</a> are complex and are often unconnected to a person’s work. But at times, the continued exposure to work stressors can lead to or exacerbate chronic health conditions including <a href="https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/psychosocial/musculoskeletal.html">musculoskeletal disorders</a>, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8674745/">heart disease</a>, <a href="https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2458-8-280">anxiety</a> and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18417557/">depression</a>. </p>
<p><a href="https://apo.org.au/node/322034">Our research</a> found 73% of people believed their chronic illness was at least partially caused or worsened by their job. Almost one in five people believed work entirely caused or worsened their illness. </p>
<p>These findings accord with data from <a href="https://data.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/insights/key-whs-stats-2023">Safe Work Australia</a> which indicates health conditions (particularly mental health) account for an increasing proportion of serious workers’ compensation claims.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/the-impact-of-work-on-well-being-6-factors-that-will-affect-the-future-of-work-and-health-inequalities-215047">The impact of work on well-being: 6 factors that will affect the future of work and health inequalities</a>
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<p>Our research <a href="https://apo.org.au/node/322034">also found</a> people with chronic illness were likely to report various forms of workplace discrimination, including being rejected from a job (63%), being treated unfairly in the workplace (65%) and harassment (52%). </p>
<p>So what are employers getting so wrong? And what are the solutions to improving working conditions for people with chronic illnesses? </p>
<h2>Employers’ responsibilities have grown</h2>
<p>In 2022, <a href="https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/model-whs-regulations">Safe Work Australia</a> updated its work health and safety regulations to include specific guidelines on the management of “psychosocial” hazards in the workplace. </p>
<p>A <a href="https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/model-whs-regulations">psychosocial hazard</a> is anything that can cause psychological and physical harm, including the design or management of work and workplace interactions or behaviours. </p>
<p>Common examples include job demands, low job control, poor support, lack of role clarity, exposure to traumatic events, harassment and bullying. The failure to eliminate or minimise psychosocial hazards can cause work-related stress, resulting in poor health outcomes for workers.</p>
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<img alt="Waiter sets table" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/573334/original/file-20240205-27-wkdls6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/573334/original/file-20240205-27-wkdls6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573334/original/file-20240205-27-wkdls6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573334/original/file-20240205-27-wkdls6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573334/original/file-20240205-27-wkdls6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573334/original/file-20240205-27-wkdls6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573334/original/file-20240205-27-wkdls6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">Employers have an obligation to manage psychosocial hazards.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://unsplash.com/photos/man-in-white-top-standing-next-to-table-OB7ol699Iww">Chuttersnap/Unsplash</a></span>
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<p>Organisations need to improve their engagement and management of chronically ill workers to meet their legal obligations. </p>
<h2>How employers are getting it wrong</h2>
<p>Few organisations have sophisticated approaches to <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1472-6963-11-104">managing employees who are chronically ill</a>. And managers often feel <a href="https://hbr.org/2021/02/how-managers-can-support-employees-with-chronic-illnesses">ill-equipped</a> to effectively support chronically ill employees. </p>
<p>Instead, there is a tendency to rely on outmoded human resource and occupational health and safety systems originally designed to accommodate short-term absences and acute illnesses. </p>
<p><a href="https://theconversation.com/how-employers-can-help-cancer-survivors-return-to-work-based-on-my-own-experience-128568">Return-to-work</a> policies tend to fall short because they assume a phased and linear return to full working capacity. This is often not the case for people with chronic illness, whose symptoms may be degenerative or fluctuate over time. </p>
<p>Chronically ill workers are <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joy-Beatty/publication/256924077_An_Overlooked_Dimension_Of_Diversity_The_Career_Effects_of_Chronic_Illness/links/5b8887b94585151fd13dc5cf/An-Overlooked-Dimension-Of-Diversity-The-Career-Effects-of-Chronic-Illness.pdf">rarely considered</a> in organisational diversity and inclusion policies and procedures. At best, they may be incorporated into umbrella disability policies, which can be problematic as people with chronic illness do not necessarily <a href="https://chronicillnessinclusion.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/DRUK-CII-survey-report-Nov-2021.pdf">self-identify as “disabled”</a>. </p>
<p>Many chronically ill workers fly under the radar. This is partly because organisations don’t collect this data but it’s also due to the often invisible nature of chronic illness. Someone living with conditions such as long COVID or endometriosis, for example, may present as unimpaired to their colleagues. However, they will often be dealing with complex, fluctuating symptoms that are largely invisible at work. </p>
<p>Workers may also choose <a href="https://hbr.org/2023/08/research-when-leaders-disclose-a-chronic-illness-at-work">not to disclose</a> their illness due to fears of being stigmatised, treated differently, or passed over for promotion. <a href="https://fbe.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/4639318/Disclosing_Illness_at_Work_Ghin_Ainsworth.pdf">Our research</a> on leaders living with chronic illness found only 18% fully disclosed their illness to their employer. Almost three-quarters of leaders with chronic illness (73%) deliberately hid their illness at work. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/should-you-tell-your-boss-about-your-mental-illness-heres-what-to-weigh-up-200907">Should you tell your boss about your mental illness? Here's what to weigh up</a>
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<h2>What can employers do?</h2>
<p>Here are three ways employers can begin to proactively meet their obligations to workers with chronic illness. </p>
<p><strong>1. Make adjustments</strong> </p>
<p>Workers with chronic illness sometimes experience fluctuations in their condition which can impact their ability to complete tasks or meet deadlines. It may be necessary for managers to consider sensitively discussing a revised work schedule, the delegation of time-sensitive tasks, or discuss implementing reasonable adjustments to improve workflow.</p>
<p>These can be challenging conversations, but engaging with them directly means employers can allocate the resources they need to meet their business objectives, while also reducing employee experiences of overwhelm.</p>
<p><strong>2. Accept reasonable requests</strong></p>
<p>Workers with chronic illness may require reasonable adjustments, such as flexible working, to enable them to perform to the best of their ability. </p>
<p>Take these requests at face value and minimise the administrative hurdles associated with approving such accommodations. Failing to do so is likely to erode trust, entrench feelings of not being supported and increase an employee’s psychological distress. </p>
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<img alt="Woman puts sticky notes on whiteboard" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/573332/original/file-20240205-23-ofrizq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/573332/original/file-20240205-23-ofrizq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573332/original/file-20240205-23-ofrizq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573332/original/file-20240205-23-ofrizq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573332/original/file-20240205-23-ofrizq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573332/original/file-20240205-23-ofrizq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573332/original/file-20240205-23-ofrizq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">Accepting reasonable requests will make employers feel supported.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://unsplash.com/photos/woman-placing-sticky-notes-on-wall-Oalh2MojUuk">Jason Goodman/Unsplash</a></span>
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<p><strong>3. Train managers</strong></p>
<p>Managers may sometimes deny a request for a reasonable adjustment based on the belief that this creates a precedent for all team members. Decisions like these can compound feelings of stress, as they may be experienced as a lack of procedural fairness by employees living with chronic illness. </p>
<p>With appropriate training, managers are more likely to recognise that chronically ill workers are generally not seeking “special treatment”, but ways to work more effectively within their changed capacities.</p>
<p>By recognising the value of employees of all abilities, and proactively and systematically addressing the needs of their chronically ill workforce, employers can minimise extended workplace absences and improve the productivity of their workforce. </p>
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<p class="fine-print"><em><span>The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Employers have a duty to address work stressors and make adjustments for workers with long-term illnesses.Peter Ghin, Research fellow, Future Of Work Lab, Faculty of Business and Economics, The University of MelbourneSusan Ainsworth, Professor of Management and Marketing, The University of MelbourneLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2051672023-05-09T18:56:06Z2023-05-09T18:56:06ZDisinfectants and cleaning products harboring toxic chemicals are widely used despite lack of screening for potential health hazards<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/525175/original/file-20230509-15-fcxskp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C2119%2C1414&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Quaternary ammonium compounds can linger on surfaces and in indoor air and dust long after the disinfectant has dried.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/spraying-disinfection-on-surface-royalty-free-image/1213050764">Guido Mieth/DigitalVision via Getty Images</a></span></figcaption></figure><p><em>The <a href="https://theconversation.com/us/topics/research-brief-83231">Research Brief</a> is a short take about interesting academic work.</em></p>
<h2>The big idea</h2>
<p><a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c08244">Concerns about unnecessary use</a> of a common class of antimicrobial chemicals used in disinfectants <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/cleaning/cleaning-your-home.html">reinforces recommendations</a> to opt for <a href="https://ceh.org/household-cleaners/">soap and water</a> or <a href="https://www.turi.org/Our_Work/Cleaning_Laboratory/Safely_Clean_Disinfect/Safer_Disinfecting_Products">safer products</a>, my colleagues <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=1BQRKAsAAAAJ&hl=en">and I</a> determined in our recent critical review of the scientific literature.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.turi.org/TURI_Publications/TURI_Chemical_Fact_Sheets/Quaternary_Ammonium_Compounds_Fact_Sheet">Quaternary ammonium compounds, or QACs</a>, are increasingly marketed and used in homes, schools and workplaces with limited evidence for their appropriateness or safety. These chemicals can be found in common disinfectant solutions, wipes, hand sanitizers, sprays and even foggers.</p>
<p>Laboratory animal studies have found that some QACs can have <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c08244">developmental and reproductive toxicity</a> with sustained exposure, may contribute to weight gain, and can impair energy production in cells.</p>
<p>Surprisingly, despite these concerns, studies on people <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c08244">have been limited</a> to patients with allergic contact dermatitis and workplace-induced asthma among workers in hospitals and other facilities that require a sterile environment. We were even more surprised to find a lack of comprehensive screening for health hazards in the majority of this large class of common and widely used chemicals.</p>
<p>One of the top reasons to use antimicrobials only when needed is that overuse leads to the rise of <a href="https://theconversation.com/antibiotic-resistance-is-at-a-crisis-point-government-support-for-academia-and-big-pharma-to-find-new-drugs-could-help-defeat-superbugs-169443">antimicrobial resistance</a>, which contributes to millions of deaths per year worldwide. QACs and other antimicrobials create “superbugs” that not only can’t be killed by disinfectants but can also become resistant to lifesaving antibiotics.</p>
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<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/525199/original/file-20230509-21883-op1iqx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Gloved hands wiping doorknob" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/525199/original/file-20230509-21883-op1iqx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/525199/original/file-20230509-21883-op1iqx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525199/original/file-20230509-21883-op1iqx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525199/original/file-20230509-21883-op1iqx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525199/original/file-20230509-21883-op1iqx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525199/original/file-20230509-21883-op1iqx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525199/original/file-20230509-21883-op1iqx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
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<span class="caption">Unnecessary disinfectant use can contribute to antimicrobial resistance and increase exposure to toxic chemicals.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/hands-with-glove-wiping-doorknob-royalty-free-image/1212740392">martinedoucet/E+ via Getty Images</a></span>
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<h2>Why it matters</h2>
<p>When the COVID-19 pandemic began, recommendations circulated in the news and social media to disinfect almost everything, from doorknobs to desks <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/04/12/832269202/no-you-dont-need-to-disinfect-your-groceries-but-here-s-to-shop-safely">to groceries</a>. Because COVID-19 is not primarily transmitted from surfaces, many of these disinfection practices <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/more/science-and-research/surface-transmission.html">don’t substantially reduce transmission risk</a>.</p>
<p>Our team became concerned that frequent disinfectant use could lead to adverse health effects from QACs. Most people probably don’t know about existing health concerns regarding QACs, or aren’t aware that QACs can <a href="https://doi.org/10.1021%2Facs.estlett.0c00587">remain on surfaces and in indoor air and dust</a> long after the product has dried, exposing more people to these chemicals than just the initial user. Researchers have found that the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1021%2Facs.est.1c01654">average levels of these chemicals in people’s bodies</a> have risen since the pandemic began.</p>
<h2>What still isn’t known</h2>
<p>One of the most commonly used QACs is <a href="https://doi.org/10.1128%2FAEM.00377-19">benzalkonium chloride</a>. Others may be identified on ingredient labels with names that end in “<a href="https://www.turi.org/TURI_Publications/TURI_Chemical_Fact_Sheets/Quaternary_Ammonium_Compounds_Fact_Sheet/Regulations">ammonium chloride” or similar terms</a>.</p>
<p>While reading labels can help consumers identify QACs, some products <a href="https://cen.acs.org/articles/96/i12/US-chemical-industry-group-takes.html">may not require disclosure</a> of these chemicals in the ingredient list. For example, pesticide labels are required to list QACs whereas paint labels are not. QACs can be used in a wide variety of consumer products where they may or may not be listed when used, including personal care products, textiles, paints, medical instruments and more.</p>
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<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/525201/original/file-20230509-12843-axffgt.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Table of common subclasses of QACs and associated products" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/525201/original/file-20230509-12843-axffgt.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/525201/original/file-20230509-12843-axffgt.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=604&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525201/original/file-20230509-12843-axffgt.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=604&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525201/original/file-20230509-12843-axffgt.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=604&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525201/original/file-20230509-12843-axffgt.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=759&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525201/original/file-20230509-12843-axffgt.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=759&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525201/original/file-20230509-12843-axffgt.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=759&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
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<span class="caption">This table shows common subclasses of QACs and their associated products. QACs may not always be disclosed in the product label.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c08244">Arnold et al./ACS</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/">CC BY-NC-ND</a></span>
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<h2>What’s next</h2>
<p><a href="https://prhe.ucsf.edu/strengthening-chemical-regulatory-process">Reducing the harm of QACs</a> requires their disclosure in all products, comprehensively screening them for health hazards and closely monitoring their broader effects in people and on the environment.</p>
<p>In the meantime, my colleagues and I recommend that <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/cleaning/cleaning-your-home.html">individuals</a>, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/cleaning/facility.html">schools and workplaces</a> take a close look at their cleaning practices to see where disinfectants can be replaced with <a href="https://ceh.org/household-cleaners/">safe cleaners</a> or <a href="https://www.turi.org/Our_Work/Cleaning_Laboratory/Safely_Clean_Disinfect/Safer_Disinfecting_Products">safer disinfectants</a>. </p>
<p>Cleaning with soap or detergent <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-bar-soap-as-gross-as-millennials-say-not-really-and-were-all-covered-with-microbes-anyway-141679">removes most types of harmful germs</a> like COVID-19 from surfaces. While disinfection can help kill any remaining microbes, it should be limited to situations <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/cleaning/facility.html">where people have been actively ill</a>, such as vomit on a surface, and during certain disease outbreaks. </p>
<p>For disinfectants to work properly, they must be left on the surface long enough to kill the germs, and this required contact time may be noted on the product. When you <a href="https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/cleaning-and-disinfecting-best-practices-during-covid-19-pandemic">use or handle disinfectants</a> you should wear protective gloves and eyeglasses or safety glasses, and you should open windows and doors to ventilate indoor spaces.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/205167/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Courtney Carignan receives funding from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, USEPA National Priorities Program, and USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. This document has not been formally reviewed by the funding agencies. The views expressed in this document are solely from the authors and do not necessarily reflect those from the funding agencies. </span></em></p>Quaternary ammonium compounds, also known as QACs or quats, are commonly used antimicrobials also found in many household products. Soap and water may be a safer bet when cleaning surfaces.Courtney Carignan, Assistant Professor of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2042472023-04-26T19:38:05Z2023-04-26T19:38:05ZNational Day of Mourning offers Canada a chance to rethink worker health and safety<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/522699/original/file-20230424-20-8nq93y.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C326%2C5623%2C3820&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">On April 28, Canadians remember and honour those who have been killed or suffered injuries or illness at work.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">(Shutterstock)</span></span></figcaption></figure><iframe style="width: 100%; height: 100px; border: none; position: relative; z-index: 1;" allowtransparency="" allow="clipboard-read; clipboard-write" src="https://narrations.ad-auris.com/widget/the-conversation-canada/national-day-of-mourning-offers-canada-a-chance-to-rethink-worker-health-and-safety" width="100%" height="400"></iframe>
<p>Canadians go to work each day expecting to return home safely, but for too many workers and their families, this expectation is unrealistic. According to the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada, there were <a href="https://awcbc.org/en/statistics/">1,081 workplace fatalities in 2021 alone</a>.</p>
<p>Each year on April 28, Canadians remember and honour those who have been killed or suffered injuries or illness at work. This day, known as the <a href="https://www.ccohs.ca/events/mourning/">National Day of Mourning</a>, was established by the Canadian Labour Congress in 1984 and <a href="https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/w-11.5/page-1.html">made official in 1991</a>.</p>
<p>Four decades have passed since the National Day of Mourning’s first observance, and the annual toll from workplace fatalities in Canada continues to remain high. But just how deep and pervasive is the problem? And what can we do about it?</p>
<h2>Widespread suffering</h2>
<p>Those who consume news media can be forgiven for thinking the number of murders in Canada each year vastly exceeds the number of work-related fatalities. One reason for this is the <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/does-the-news-reflect-what-we-die-from">excessive news coverage of murders</a> relative to other causes of death like workplace fatalities.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/workplace-fatalities-deaths-under-reported-study-1.4973495">The real numbers</a> tell a different tale. <a href="https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=3510006801">About 700 people</a> are murdered annually in Canada, while close to 1,000 people die at work each year. But one study from the <em>Journal of Canadian Labour Studies</em> argues <a href="https://www.lltjournal.ca/index.php/llt/article/view/5904">the actual number could be 10 to 13 times greater</a>.</p>
<p>The suffering goes well beyond the 1,000 workers who die each year. Within the workplace, <a href="https://www.ehstoday.com/safety/article/21905011/workplace-fatalities-the-impact-on-coworkers">colleagues who have witnessed horrendous tragedies</a> are affected, as are leaders who have to break the awful news to family members and motivate surviving employees.</p>
<p>Outside the workplace, the emotional and financial burden on family members has been ignored for too long. What if the news media devoted as much attention to workplace safety incidents as we did to murders? Would the public demand that management, workers and government authorities work together to enhance workplace safety?</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A young woman holds open a photo album to display photos of a man on a rope swing and the same man with a little girl sitting on his shoulders" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/522695/original/file-20230424-884-uw83k0.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/522695/original/file-20230424-884-uw83k0.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/522695/original/file-20230424-884-uw83k0.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/522695/original/file-20230424-884-uw83k0.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/522695/original/file-20230424-884-uw83k0.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/522695/original/file-20230424-884-uw83k0.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/522695/original/file-20230424-884-uw83k0.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Alyssa Grocutt poses with pictures of her father who died in a workplace safety incident at Suncor Energy Inc. when she was 11 years old.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lars Hagberg</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Myths about worker control</h2>
<p>The National Day of Mourning presents us with an opportunity to reflect on workplace fatalities and the enormous toll they take on affected families, co-workers and organizational leaders, and commit to making a difference. </p>
<p>We can start by dispelling some major misconception that are inhibiting progress in workplace safety and health. One misconception among managers is that, because workplace safety is so important, every aspect of employees’ work requires control. </p>
<p>Yet, based on extensive interviews with senior managers and employees and an analysis of documentation from 49 manufacturing firms in the United Kingdom, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2021.06.003">researchers found the opposite is true</a>. </p>
<p>Among the five key types of human resources approaches, only one was associated with fewer workplace injuries: higher levels of empowerment, which included autonomy and employee participation. Even managers that ceded small, incremental amounts of control to employees had a positive impact.</p>
<h2>Myths about safety costs</h2>
<p>A second common misconception is that government safety inspections can be costly; yet again research suggests otherwise. </p>
<p>According to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1215191">a comparison of more than 400 workplaces</a> that were not targeted for safety inspections in California, and an equal number that were randomly selected for inspections between 1996 and 2006, random safety inspections work. </p>
<p>Five years after random inspections, companies saw a 9.4 per cent reduction in injury rates, and a 26 per cent reduction in costs associated with the injuries. </p>
<p>These gains in safety were achieved without any cost to employment numbers, sales, credit rating or likelihood of firm survival, which are frequent concerns in the face of government safety inspections. </p>
<p>Given this, policymakers should feel reassured that <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-labour-ministry-enforcement-occupational-health-safety-inspectors-1.5936019">increasing the number of safety inspectors</a> is a wise investment in both injury reduction and cost reduction.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A group of people in business attire stand with their heads down" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/522696/original/file-20230424-22-1ykjou.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/522696/original/file-20230424-22-1ykjou.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/522696/original/file-20230424-22-1ykjou.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/522696/original/file-20230424-22-1ykjou.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/522696/original/file-20230424-22-1ykjou.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/522696/original/file-20230424-22-1ykjou.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/522696/original/file-20230424-22-1ykjou.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Members of Parliament take a moment of silence for workplace safety prior to question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa in 2018.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Myths about sick leave</h2>
<p>The National Day of Mourning’s calls for reconsideration of workplace safety are particularly relevant in the era of COVID-19. The pandemic highlighted the misconception that paid sick leave hurts organizations. </p>
<p>Year-after-year, <a href="https://awcbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/National_Work_Injury_Disease_and_Fatality_Statistics-2019-2021.pdf">more people die at work from health-related issues</a>, such as respiratory diseases and occupational cancers, than from safety incidents. </p>
<p><a href="https://toronto.citynews.ca/2021/01/27/new-data-shows-some-people-with-covid-19-symptoms-still-go-to-work-in-peel-region/">A 2020 study</a> from Ontario’s Peel region revealed that 25 per cent of the employees surveyed went to work when they had COVID-19 symptoms; 88 workers even did so after being diagnosed with COVID-19.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/with-covid-19s-third-wave-were-far-from-all-in-this-together-159178">With COVID-19's third wave, we're far from 'all in this together'</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>Why? Because they could not afford to lose any pay. If we are to protect employee health and limit the spread of infection, we need to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256740">de-politicize perceptions around basic workplace programs</a> such as paid sick leave. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/03/31/how-can-we-put-covid-behind-us-without-guaranteed-paid-sick-leave/">Worker health programs and policies</a> need to be implemented based on the best of evidence, rather than being a subject for negotiations between labour and management or the whims of the government. </p>
<p>Paid sick leave policies and programs are primary tools in preventing the spread of infections, thereby benefiting employees and protecting organizations and their communities. Employees should be reassured that they will not lose pay when they protect themselves and others by staying home when ill.</p>
<h2>A new approach is needed</h2>
<p>We need to change the widespread perceptions that workplace safety requires the tight grip of management, that random safety inspections hurt organizations and detract from profitability, and that paid sick leave is an expensive luxury. </p>
<p>On the contrary, employee autonomy and engagement, random safety inspections, and paid sick leave are some of the practices that management should welcome to develop safe and healthy workplaces.</p>
<p>Another small action that could have wide-ranging benefits is to change the very language of occupational safety. For too long, “workplace accident” has been the term used for any workplace safety incident or injury. </p>
<p>Why is this problematic? By definition, “accident” implies an event that is unpredictable, unplanned and uncontrollable. If that is indeed the case, we should be forgiven for not taking any action. </p>
<p>Yet post-injury and inquest reports tell us that the opposite is true: <a href="https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2021/07/19/many-workplace-accidents-are-preventable-stop-the-killing-and-start-criminal-investigations.html">these incidents are invariably predictable, preventable</a> and controllable. The time has come to change how we think about occupational health and safety.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/204247/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Julian Barling receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Alyssa Grocutt receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. </span></em></p>National Day of Mourning should be used to challenge misconceptions about occupational health and safety, and advance safer workplaces for Canadians.Julian Barling, Distinguished Professor and Borden Chair of Leadership, Smith School of Business, Queen's University, OntarioAlyssa Grocutt, PhD Candidate in Organizational Behaviour, researching workplace safety, at Smith School of Business, Queen's University, OntarioLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1926192022-11-08T09:04:59Z2022-11-08T09:04:59ZA dumpsite is no place for a child: study shows Nigeria’s young waste pickers are at risk<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/491263/original/file-20221024-1609-y8vdtg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=7%2C0%2C2588%2C1715&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Children are among waste pickers exposed to hazards while working at the Olusosun landfill. Photo by: Lionel Healing/AFP.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/people-sift-through-rubbish-at-a-dump-17-april-2007-in-news-photo/73905533?phrase=olusosun%20dumpsite%20Lagos&adppopup=true">from www,gettyimages.com</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>The Olusosun landfill sprawls across 100 acres (40ha) in Nigeria’s largest city, Lagos. Initially situated at the outskirts of the city, it is now at the city’s centre due to urban encroachment. Olusosun is often described as <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12011-021-02758-3">Nigeria’s biggest landfill</a>; it receives over one million tonnes of <a href="https://owlcation.com/stem/15-of-the-Worlds-Largest-Landfills">waste</a> annually. Most of this is electronic waste (such as lamps, televisions and laptops), municipal solid waste and construction waste.</p>
<p>Access to the dumpsite is not restricted. Waste pickers can go in and look for recyclable materials that can be resold. In most Nigerian cities, waste picking represents a vital survival strategy for the <a href="https://www.ijern.com/journal/March-2014/26.pdf">poor</a>.</p>
<p>It’s not only adults who operate as waste pickers. As we outline in our recent <a href="https://thescipub.com/abstract/10.3844/ajessp.2022.69.80">study</a>, children are also working at Olusosun. </p>
<p>We surveyed 150 of these child waste pickers; most were boys aged between 13 and 17. More than half (58.7%) of the children were not attending school. They worked at the dumpsite daily for social and economic reasons and their labour was physically taxing. They reported being bitten by insects and snakes. They slipped and sometimes fell. Many suffered from chronic headaches. For this they earned between N500 (US$1.20) and N1,600 (US$3.85) a day. </p>
<p>The use of a child for forced or <a href="https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=64999">exploitative labour</a> under section 28 (1) (a) of the Child’s Rights Act is an offence punishable with a fine or imprisonment. But in the informal sector of urban areas, Nigeria’s government has not made serious efforts to enforce this law to protect children.</p>
<p>A concerted effort is needed by government, civil society, and international organisations to eradicate waste picking by children. Financial aid could be offered to the children’s families so that they don’t feel they have no option but to let children work. And free, compulsory primary and secondary education is key to keeping children in the classroom rather than working.</p>
<h2>Huge health and safety risks</h2>
<p>Access to Olusosun landfill is unregulated, but there are informal systems in place to manage who can and cannot engage in waste picking. Our <a href="https://doi.org/10.3844/ajessp.2022.69.80">survey</a> confirmed that before any person could pick waste on this site, they had to register with an association. Unregistered people were not allowed to work on the site and if they did without permission, there would be a quarrel. </p>
<p>An informal association formed by the operators oversees the registration process. It is funded by membership fees and only registers adults. But once they are registered, those adults can hire children to do the work for them. They do this, we were told, to keep their costs low because they could pay children less than they would pay adults.</p>
<p>Information we obtained showed that child waste pickers’ minimum daily income was N500 (US$1.20); the maximum was N1,600 (US$3.85). The average daily revenue was N1,180 (US$2.84) – more than N30,000 (about US$72.20) per month. Although this amount is higher than the <a href="https://doi.org/10.3844/ajessp.2022.69.80">national minimum monthly wage</a> (N30,000) in the public sector, the work and the environment are hazardous and detrimental to the children’s health.</p>
<p>Children usually sorted the waste manually, with no protective equipment like gloves and face masks. They operated in an unsheltered environment regardless of conditions like rain, hot sun and cold weather. These conditions had resulted in gastrointestinal illnesses, skin diseases, stings and bites from insects. Many talked about suffering regular headaches.</p>
<p>Child waste pickers were also at risk of being pricked by sharp objects such as syringes, needles, surgical blades and broken bottles.</p>
<p>Despite all these hazards, the children continued working at the landfill because of chronic poverty. Some of the children’s parents were waste
pickers themselves. Many came from areas without <a href="https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/469581-less-than-40-of-lagos-residents-have-access-to-water-governor.html">potable water</a>, sanitation facilities or basic healthcare services. </p>
<h1>Recommendations</h1>
<p>In addressing the use of children for forced or exploitative labour, integrated approaches have
<a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5984577fe5274a1707000067/105-Interventions-on-Child-Labour-in-South-Asia.pdf">demonstrated</a> the most success in South Asian countries. (Afghanistan is an important exception.) These approaches can include, for example, conditional cash transfers combined with interventions such as providing education and healthcare services. </p>
<p>Thus, a pragmatic regulatory framework should be developed whereby different actors (government, civil society and international organisations) focus on eliminating the practice of waste picking by children. Such efforts require strong political backing and financial support. </p>
<p>Such a regulatory framework should also make provision for financial aid to the children’s parents through a direct assistance programme. </p>
<p>There is a need for a well-thought-out plan by the government to introduce free and compulsory primary and secondary education for every child. Making education compulsory, especially at the secondary level, is a way to keep children learning and, ideally, setting themselves up for safe, decently-paid future work.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/192619/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Amos Oluwole Taiwo does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Employing children as waste pickers lowers costs but exposes them to hazards.Amos Oluwole Taiwo, Lecturer, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria, Olabisi Onabanjo UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1798142022-04-03T12:14:23Z2022-04-03T12:14:23ZCreative sentencing improves workplace safety: Why don’t we use it more?<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/455858/original/file-20220401-20-k19rhz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=24%2C85%2C8108%2C5328&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Creative sentencing uses funds to promote better workplace safety, like better industry training, instead of paying punitive fines.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">(AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>Hundreds die each year from workplace-related incidents in Canada. Alberta, in particular, has seen its fair share of recent deaths, like <a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/8225483/cochrane-worker-death/">the man who was killed at a construction site</a> in Cochrane last September, and <a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/7927747/syncrude-employee-killed-aurora-oilsands-site-alberta/">the oilsands worker who was killed</a> in northern Alberta last June. </p>
<p>The most recent <a href="https://www.uregina.ca/business/assets/faculty_staff/2021-Report-on-Workplace-Fatalities-and-Injuries-2021-Oct-21.pdf">Report on Workplace Fatalities and Injuries</a> found that 590 workers in Canada died from occupation-related diseases, and 335 died from workplace injuries in 2019.</p>
<p>Besides the loss of life and environmental damage, these incidents are expensive; the associated production losses, absenteeism, medical costs and workers’ compensation payouts <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15459624.2013.863131">equate to four to five per cent of the annual global gross domestic product (GDP)</a>. </p>
<h2>Learning from past mistakes</h2>
<p>As researchers with an interest in workplace safety, we wanted to understand: How do companies learn from their mistakes? What motivates them, and their industries, to change their ways? Monetary penalties? Deeper reflection from analyzing the causes of the infraction? Public scrutiny? </p>
<p>To answer these questions, we (an engineering professor, an economics professor and a business professor) developed a testable model of how different types of regulations affect companies’ safety performance. We examined the injury rates of 87 Albertan employers found guilty and sentenced for environmental and occupational, health and safety infractions from 2005 to 2018. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Workers in construction uniforms stand at a railing overlooking a steel factory" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/455336/original/file-20220330-6008-cafgv5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/455336/original/file-20220330-6008-cafgv5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/455336/original/file-20220330-6008-cafgv5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/455336/original/file-20220330-6008-cafgv5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/455336/original/file-20220330-6008-cafgv5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/455336/original/file-20220330-6008-cafgv5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/455336/original/file-20220330-6008-cafgv5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">A Regina steelmaker was fined $935,000 last year for breaking Saskatchewan health and safety rules linked to two serious workplace injuries. Evraz Inc. pleaded guilty on Feb. 9, 2021, to two charges in Regina provincial court.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">THE CANADIAN PRESS/Michael Bell</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Our work is among the earliest to quantitatively examine the effect of incidents and sentencing type on companies’ safety performance, for two reasons. First, is a lack of data access, which we overcame by connecting with several forward-looking government ministries: Alberta Justice and Solicitor General, Alberta Environment and Parks, Alberta Labour and Immigration.</p>
<p>Second, our approach is interdisciplinary, meaning it combines research from several fields. There are a few assumptions each field tends to make: economists expect companies to maximize expected profit, management researchers expect companies to avoid incidents that create public scrutiny and engineers expect companies to adopt the best technical solutions. </p>
<p>Individually, all these perspectives have blind spots. For example, economists might fail to see the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2011.05.006">hidden costs associated with incidents, such as reputational impact</a>, or management researchers might overlook how <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2019.1613211">incidents are under-reported</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1179/2049396715Y.0000000003">unevenly covered by media</a>. Together, our research is able to overcome these shortcomings.</p>
<h2>Fines are not (always) the way to go</h2>
<p>Our results suggest that <a href="https://www.alberta.ca/environmental-compliance-creative-sentencing-overview.aspx">creative sentencing</a> provided more effective and longer lasting deterrence for offending companies. Instead of paying fines, creative sentencing <a href="https://www.ohscanada.com/opinions/creative-sentencing-penalties-can-improve-workplace-safety/">uses funds to promote better workplace safety</a>, like better industry training.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Bar graph illustrating the compensation claims rates for creative sentences versus traditional sentences." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/455077/original/file-20220329-19-1g7a647.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/455077/original/file-20220329-19-1g7a647.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=348&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/455077/original/file-20220329-19-1g7a647.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=348&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/455077/original/file-20220329-19-1g7a647.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=348&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/455077/original/file-20220329-19-1g7a647.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=437&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/455077/original/file-20220329-19-1g7a647.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=437&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/455077/original/file-20220329-19-1g7a647.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=437&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Worker’s compensation claims rates for creative sentences versus traditional sentences before the incident, between the incident and sentencing and after sentencing.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">(Lianne M Lefsrud)</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>When a serious incident happened, we found a small reduction in a company’s injury rate, even before they were sentenced. This suggests that incidents motivate companies to change their practices prior to prosecution and sentencing. </p>
<p>With traditional sentencing, like <a href="https://www.thesafetymag.com/ca/topics/convictions/alberta-employer-fined-for-workers-fatal-injury/326030">fines</a> or <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/new-mex-canada-directors-jailed-over-workplace-death-1.2900982">imprisonment</a>, companies’ injury rates rebounded within two years. With a creative sentence, companies’ injury rates remain lower for at least two years. In other words, our research suggests that <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/cjce.23813">creative sentencing and case-study learning improves performance</a>, while economic fines do not. </p>
<p>A possible explanation for this is that major incidents focus managerial attention on improving company practices, while creative sentences reinforce these improvements. </p>
<h2>Why isn’t creative sentencing used more often?</h2>
<p>This begs the question: If creative sentencing improves company behaviour, why don’t more jurisdictions use it? The answer is that fines are easy — justice departments collect money from offending companies and it goes into government general revenues. Fines are simpler for companies too — they just need to write a cheque. </p>
<p>In comparison, creative sentencing requires much more work. There needs to be a detailed examination of the incident’s root causes, agreement on the right creative fixes to put in place and appropriate follow-through to hold the company accountable for those changes. </p>
<p>The root causes, and subsequent fixes, are often complicated. Workers feel rushed and take shortcuts, or they might be contractors who don’t have access to their company’s work procedures. Perhaps work procedures are overly detailed, complicated and difficult to follow. Or only one specific person knows and they’re home sick that day. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Diagram of the workplace organizational system" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/455078/original/file-20220329-25-qdzrxc.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/455078/original/file-20220329-25-qdzrxc.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=442&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/455078/original/file-20220329-25-qdzrxc.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=442&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/455078/original/file-20220329-25-qdzrxc.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=442&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/455078/original/file-20220329-25-qdzrxc.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=555&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/455078/original/file-20220329-25-qdzrxc.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=555&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/455078/original/file-20220329-25-qdzrxc.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=555&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Solutions to workplace incidents are complicated because the organizations themselves are very complex.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">(Lianne M Lefsrud)</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A justice department has to monitor a company (sometimes for years) while it unravels the causes and enacts fixes, then check the company’s homework. </p>
<p>Our firsthand experience working with companies and creative sentencing is that this is time-consuming, technically and organizationally complicated and emotionally exhausting. Company operations are messier than our model portrays. </p>
<p>This work is incredibly important to do, despite how tedious and difficult it can be. Only by examining these complexities, and enacting creative solutions, can we learn from incidents and fix the causes. While a workplace fatality is a tragedy, an even greater tragedy is not learning from it.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/179814/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Lianne M Lefsrud receives data from the Government of Alberta Workers' Compensation Board and funding from the Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) of Canada, Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada, Alberta Justice and Alberta Occupational Health and Safety.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span><a href="mailto:heckert@ualberta.ca">heckert@ualberta.ca</a> receives funding from The Government of Alberta, Ministry of Labour and Immigration.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Joel Gehman is a co-investigator with Lianne M Lefsrud on grants related to this research program.</span></em></p>While a workplace fatality is a great tragedy, an even greater tragedy is not learning from it.Lianne M Lefsrud, Associate Professor, Engineering Safety and Risk Management, University of AlbertaHeather Eckert, Associate professor, Department of Economics, University of AlbertaJoel Gehman, Professor of Strategic Management & Public Policy, George Washington UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1704552021-10-22T05:40:54Z2021-10-22T05:40:54ZWe are filmmakers who work with firearms. This is what is important in on-set safety<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/427968/original/file-20211022-23-1w4hoz7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=31%2C0%2C3500%2C2321&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">In a tragic accident, Alec Baldwin has fatally fired a prop gun on a film set in America.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Evan Agostini/Invision/AP</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>In a horrendous accident, a cinematographer has died and a director has been injured after <a href="https://variety.com/2021/film/news/alec-baldwin-rust-incident-santa-fe-1235094931/">Alec Baldwin fired a prop gun</a> while filming in New Mexico.</p>
<p>When shooting a film with guns, there are many choices to make: each prop needs to be appropriate for the character, and appropriate for the scene. There is also the choice of whether you will use replica weapons, real weapons, or a mix.</p>
<p>But most importantly, everyone on set needs to know how to work alongside guns.</p>
<p>A gun with no ammunition – that is, a gun with neither a bullet nor blanks – is not dangerous. But even so, on set there is always an armourer, a safety officer, and a stunt coordinator: at least three people who always have an eye on the guns on set.</p>
<p>We recently finished shooting Darklands, a psychological thriller staring Nadine Garner about a policewoman who fails to stop a shooting and is then pursued by a journalist determined to use the policewoman’s story to resurrect her own flagging writing career.</p>
<p>We used real weapons, but we only used blanks in one scene. The night we fired the blanks was a very controlled situation, working with a very experienced crew. The safety of our cast and crew was of utmost importance to us. Here are some of the things we kept in mind.</p>
<h2>Shooting with blanks</h2>
<p>When the worst thing happens and someone dies on set, the impact resonates profoundly throughout the industry and the lives of those affected. Two big stories in the 1980s, in particular, changed how occupational health and safety is approached on sets. </p>
<p>In 1982, three actors – two of them children – were killed on the set of Twilight Zone, when special effects explosions caused a <a href="https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/actor-and-two-children-killed-on-twilight-zone-set">helicopter to crash</a>. Their deaths will echo through film sets forever.</p>
<p>In 1984, the actor Jon-Erik Hexums put a gun filled with blanks to his head, and, joking about delays to filming, <a href="https://ew.com/article/1994/10/14/jon-erik-hexums-fatal-joke/">he pulled the trigger</a>. The force of the wadding was enough to fatally injure him.</p>
<p>Instead of using a bullet, <a href="https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/71752/how-do-blanks-work-compared-regular-bullets">blanks use wads</a> of paper, plastic, felt or cotton – this wadding ensures you get a certain level of flame out of the gun.</p>
<p>But this wadding is the thing which can cause a lot of injury: just because a gun is using blanks, that doesn’t mean it isn’t dangerous.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/explainer-the-rules-for-shooting-on-film-sets-71797">Explainer: the rules for shooting on film sets</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>An abundance of caution</h2>
<p>For all elements of shooting a film, you have to sit and worry about all possible scenarios and have a plan for any risks, and the safety officer will work elbow to elbow with the director and first assistant director to ensure the safety of the set. </p>
<p>While scouting for locations, the safety officer will consider elements such as trip hazards, road safety, how the set will be lit at night and the supply of electricity. </p>
<p>When you are filming on public land, such as parks, the council will ask for a risk assessment: this can detail where people will park, where bathroom facilities will be located, where equipment will be, as well as considering potential problems like what would happen if a limb was to fall from a tree.</p>
<p>Even an actor carrying a cup of hot coffee on screen will be considered for safety.</p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1451386884916015104"}"></div></p>
<p>Filming this year, we also added an on-set nurse/COVID officer to consider the health of everyone on set.</p>
<p>When a scene is set, the safety officer will check everything, down to the safety mats on the ground to the gel padding hidden by costumes.</p>
<p>On film sets, guns are supplied by an armourer. They will have access to both real and replica weapons, with real weapons costing more to hire than replicas.</p>
<p>Any moment you are using weapons on set, you must treat them with the utmost respect. Safety has to be paramount. In Australia, guns are so rarely handled we found they are highly respected: people are very conscious of the weapon.</p>
<p>All of the protocols surrounding gun use are well established. Everything on set around a gun must be treated with an abundance of caution. The weapon with the blank was never fired at anyone, all cast and crew are briefed multiple times about safety. The police are always notified, as are any neighbours adjacent to the filming location. </p>
<h2>A tragedy</h2>
<p>We chose to shoot with real weapons, but we only used blanks in one scene. In every other scene, visual effects (VFX) will be used.</p>
<p>The blanks were chosen because of the importance of the weapon to the storytelling in that scene. We needed the reflections on the actor’s face to be real, her physical response to be real. Like when Alan Rickman <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/alan-rickman-got-tricked-die-hard-fall-1280396/">was dropped while shooting Die Hard</a>: sometimes the moment just calls for that palpable truth.</p>
<p>But many gun effects can be done well through VFX, and companies even sell VFX gunfire packages. Adding these effects is a very specialised field: they can add different muzzle flares, different smoke patterns, and you can even make a gun recoil in someone’s hand.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/auteur-vs-computer-the-frightening-complexity-of-visual-effects-131458">Auteur vs computer: the frightening complexity of visual effects</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>Our sympathies go out to the families of those affected by this incident. We can only imagine what Alec Baldwin would be feeling right now. It is a horrendous situation for everyone involved. </p>
<p>This is an issue of workplace safety. When things go fatally wrong in any workplace, it is a tragedy. </p>
<p>In Australia, we have always found film to be a really well regulated environment. On our set, we all understand making a movie is not worth putting someone’s life or health at risk.</p>
<p>We can only imagine most filmmakers feel the same.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/170455/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>In an on-set accident, Alec Baldwin has fatally fired a prop gun. When using weapons on screen, safety must always be paramount.Christopher Gist, PhD Candidate, University of South AustraliaSarah Mayberry, Tutor, VCA, The University of MelbourneLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1618522021-06-14T17:59:33Z2021-06-14T17:59:33ZTackling burnout: How to deal with stress and safety in the workplace<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/406029/original/file-20210613-73475-1iofw11.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C585%2C4950%2C2704&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta activated its emergency operations centre in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. </span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">(Centers for Disease Control/Unsplash)</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>When I began working in disaster and emergency management, there was a funny anecdote suggesting the job was 98 per cent paperwork and two per cent adrenalin.</p>
<p>Looking around at my office environment, I failed to see much adrenalin. To make sense of this, I researched some major disasters and discovered that when they strike, emergency managers transition to working in <a href="https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/topics/Page17116.aspx">emergency co-ordination centres</a>. These nerve centres often look like something out of the movies, with people staring intently at their computers while large screens everywhere display critical information. </p>
<p>During the devastating <a href="https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/longform/fort-mcmurray-five-years-on-from-disaster">Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016</a>, which destroyed entire subdivisions and caused more than $1 billion in damage, I finally understood the “two per cent adrenalin” aspect of our work. For months, the work was non-stop and around the clock. Soon, I noticed the initial state of exhilaration was replaced by a state of exhaustion.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A helicopter is seen in the smoke of a wildfire." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/406028/original/file-20210613-73866-1pw9bjx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C3000%2C1998&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/406028/original/file-20210613-73866-1pw9bjx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/406028/original/file-20210613-73866-1pw9bjx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/406028/original/file-20210613-73866-1pw9bjx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/406028/original/file-20210613-73866-1pw9bjx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/406028/original/file-20210613-73866-1pw9bjx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/406028/original/file-20210613-73866-1pw9bjx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">A helicopter battles a wildfire in Fort McMurray, Alta., in 2016. The wildfire forced nearly 90,000 to flee Canada’s oilsands region — and resulted in serious workplace stress for emergency workers.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>At that time, I was reminded of <a href="https://drgabormate.com/book/when-the-body-says-no/">the 2004 book, <em>When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress</em></a>, written by Canadian physician Gabor Maté, that outlines the four most stressful stimuli: Lack of information, uncertainty, lack of control and conflict. I observed that during a disaster, all of these factors are present in droves. </p>
<p>In a disaster, critical decisions must be made with incomplete or contradictory information. Lack of control and uncertainty emerge when navigating policies, guidelines and laws. There’s often conflict with resource allocation and conflicting priorities. </p>
<p>Other notable factors include atypical working hours, extremes of activity and a sedentary work environment. While some features are unique to our profession, I’m under no illusion that we’re alone in our experiences. Many other professions and positions face similar challenges.</p>
<h2>Exhaustion follows exhilaration</h2>
<p>While short-term workplace stress is to be expected, the problem emerges with long-term sustained stress. </p>
<p>As Hungarian scientist Hans Selye described in 1950 in his seminal <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK349158/#:%7E:text=Conflicting%20reactions%20to%20Selye's%20account,in%20London%20in%20June%201950">general adaptation syndrome</a> about workplace stress, after sustaining a period of exhilaration, stressed employees eventually reach the exhaustion phase and can no longer sustain additional pressure. Today in my clinical psychology practice, my clients who work in various fields tell me about exhaustion, irritability, impatience, trouble concentrating and taking in new information and feeling under-appreciated at work, with some even contemplating quitting their jobs. </p>
<p>In 2019, the World Health Organization identified a syndrome <a href="https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases">it labelled “burnout”</a> resulting from chronic workplace stress. Now people who report feeling depleted of energy or exhausted, mentally distanced from or cynical about their jobs and experiencing problems getting their work done can be diagnosed with a workplace injury. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A woman with her head in her hands in front of a laptops" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/406030/original/file-20210613-64042-ttj6a8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/406030/original/file-20210613-64042-ttj6a8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/406030/original/file-20210613-64042-ttj6a8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/406030/original/file-20210613-64042-ttj6a8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/406030/original/file-20210613-64042-ttj6a8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/406030/original/file-20210613-64042-ttj6a8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/406030/original/file-20210613-64042-ttj6a8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The WHO labelled chronic workplace stress ‘burnout’ two years ago.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Elisa Ventur/Unsplash</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Burnout as the result of workplace stress carries significant implications for employers. Canadian occupational health and safety standards <a href="https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/psychosocial/mentalhealth_checklist_phs.html">require employers to protect the physical and mental health of their workers</a>. If people are meeting the criteria for burnout, organizations may be neglecting their legislated duty to ensure psychologically safe workplaces. </p>
<h2>Preventing, mitigating stress</h2>
<p>The good news is something can be done. While it will require genuine organizational commitment, prevention and mitigation are key. But to get at the heart of the problem, we must first ask if employers are even tracking psychological safety in the workplace. </p>
<p>Of those that do, most merely encourage staff to exercise more, meditate, sleep better and eat a more balanced diet. This is, quite simply, passing the buck onto an already depleted workforce and does nothing to address the core of the problem. The answer is not to recommend Band-Aid solutions, suggesting employees try even harder in their downtime to compensate for organizational neglect. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/406031/original/file-20210613-17-me8m1k.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="A woman in an office pores over a document." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/406031/original/file-20210613-17-me8m1k.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/406031/original/file-20210613-17-me8m1k.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/406031/original/file-20210613-17-me8m1k.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/406031/original/file-20210613-17-me8m1k.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/406031/original/file-20210613-17-me8m1k.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/406031/original/file-20210613-17-me8m1k.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/406031/original/file-20210613-17-me8m1k.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Workplaces must implement clear policies to reflect their commitment to workplace mental health and safety, including appointing a wellness champion.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">(Unsplash)</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>For meaningful change, organizations must first implement clear policies reflecting their commitment to workplace mental health and psychological safety, and appoint a wellness champion and leaders who model these values.</p>
<p>The next step is identifying workplace hazards through employee engagement surveys, workplace risk assessments, incident investigations, exit interviews and disability claim data if available. Identifying controls to prevent psychological harm is also necessary.</p>
<h2>Respectful workplace policies</h2>
<p>Once hazards have been identified, prevention and mitigation measures must follow. Organizations must define and train employees on their duties and responsibilities, monitor workload, consider flexible work arrangements, clearly communicate priorities and ensure respectful workplace policies are understood and that managers who defy them are held accountable. </p>
<p>Organizations must address environmental risks by encouraging movement, breaks and getting sunlight. Finally, documenting and reporting hazards as a measure for ongoing program development is necessary because it helps inform company policy as part of holistic continuous improvement efforts. </p>
<p>Throughout the entire cycle, I remind organizational leaders to remain present to support staff through the execution of all tasks — and of the value in fostering happy and engaged teams. </p>
<p>Research shows that the highest performing workplace teams <a href="https://hbr.org/2017/08/high-performing-teams-need-psychological-safety-heres-how-to-create-it">have one thing in common: psychological safety</a>. When people feel safe, they are engaged and committed to their work, and this builds organizational resilience. Employers who manage to get ahead of the burnout curve will gain a distinct advantage over other organizations.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/161852/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Kristen Deuzeman does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Burnout as the result of workplace stress has big implications for employers. Occupational health and safety standards require employers to protect both the physical and mental health of workers.Kristen Deuzeman, Industrial/Organizational Psychologist, Northern Alberta Institute of TechnologyLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1617662021-06-07T18:13:10Z2021-06-07T18:13:10ZTo create a better work environment after COVID-19, we must truly hear employees<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/404682/original/file-20210606-23-1vbw9ht.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C3000%2C2187&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">A man heads past a clothing store where mannequins sport face masks in Halifax. Retail workers, long-term care workers and teachers say the media has failed to reflect their pandemic experiences.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan </span></span></figcaption></figure><p>When the third wave of COVID-19 hit Canada and the benefits of <a href="https://canadiangrocer.com/hero-pay-fading-away">the short-lived hero pay</a> had long passed, <a href="https://theconversation.com/a-year-of-covid-19-has-illuminated-the-urgent-need-for-paid-sick-days-154224">workers’ advocates made renewed calls for a paid sick leave policy</a>. </p>
<p>In Ontario, where the third wave was particularly devastating for working-class and racialized people, advocates pointed out that while many workers from these communities were disproportionately deemed “essential,” they were also the least likely to be able to access <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/federal-sickness-benefit-paid-sick-leave-1.5872913">paid sick leave benefits</a>.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Workers manufacture cardboard petitions." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/404870/original/file-20210607-28173-9hohd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/404870/original/file-20210607-28173-9hohd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=427&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/404870/original/file-20210607-28173-9hohd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=427&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/404870/original/file-20210607-28173-9hohd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=427&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/404870/original/file-20210607-28173-9hohd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=537&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/404870/original/file-20210607-28173-9hohd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=537&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/404870/original/file-20210607-28173-9hohd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=537&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Workers manufacture partitions made from cardboard and chipboard material in Mississauga, Ont., during the pandemic.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Media coverage of the pandemic has focused public attention on these and other important workplace issues, such as the <a href="https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/burning-out-remote-workers-report-paying-a-price-for-increased-productivity-1.5427741">opportunities and challenges of remote work</a>, the impact of the pandemic on <a href="https://www.chatelaine.com/news/task-force-women-economy-canada/">women’s</a> <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/longterm-female-unemployment-1.5935882">employment</a> and the health and safety of <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-peel-region-covid-19-essential-1.6030283">essential workers</a>. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/survey-shows-some-bosses-are-using-the-pandemic-as-an-excuse-to-push-workers-159417">Survey shows some bosses are using the pandemic as an excuse to push workers</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>As we hopefully near the end of the pandemic and collectively consider how to transform the workplace in ways that are safer, more equitable and humane, it’s important that the voices and experiences of essential workers are heard.</p>
<p>While media coverage has been crucial in fuelling public discussions about the workplace, our research shows that there’s a disconnect between the way media covered work issues during the pandemic and the stories workers felt were important for the public to understand. </p>
<h2>Survey of workers</h2>
<p>During the first wave of the pandemic, <a href="https://sociology.acadiau.ca/well-being-and-work-in-ns-during-a-pandemic.html">our research team</a> conducted a survey of three groups of essential workers in Nova Scotia — long-term care workers, retail workers and teachers. </p>
<p>Our survey focused primarily on how working conditions had an impact on their health and well-being, but because essential workers were receiving more media attention, we also asked participants to reflect on how the media covered their occupations. </p>
<p>We asked survey participants if the media focused on the most important issues of their work, and 69 per cent of participants responded “no” versus 31 per cent who said “yes.” Broken down by group, retail workers were the most likely to say that the media was not covering the most important issues (75 per cent) followed by teachers (70 per cent) and long-term care workers (58 per cent).</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Graphic showing responses" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/404325/original/file-20210603-13-azizvy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/404325/original/file-20210603-13-azizvy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=191&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/404325/original/file-20210603-13-azizvy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=191&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/404325/original/file-20210603-13-azizvy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=191&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/404325/original/file-20210603-13-azizvy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=239&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/404325/original/file-20210603-13-azizvy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=239&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/404325/original/file-20210603-13-azizvy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=239&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Breakdown by sector of those who responded ‘No’ to the question: Did the media focus on the most important issue of your work?</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Author provided</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>When asked to describe how they felt about media coverage of their work, some participants expressed gratitude. One long-term care worker told us:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“I think some of the coverage has been good and it has brought to light the ‘gaps’ in the system and how some of the most vulnerable people in society are treated and prioritized.” </p>
</blockquote>
<p>However, about half of the open-ended responses stated that coverage was incomplete, one-sided or that the tone became more critical over time. For example, some long-term care workers felt that coverage focused disproportionately on residents, ignoring workers: </p>
<blockquote>
<p>“They have focused on the impact to residents but have not talked about the tremendous work the staff did in LTC facilities in NS to keep everyone safe. The staff were viewed as the carriers [of COVID-19] and would be blamed publicly if an outbreak occurred.” </p>
</blockquote>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A paramedic walks around an ambulance at a nursing home." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/404684/original/file-20210606-28232-et9r39.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/404684/original/file-20210606-28232-et9r39.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=440&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/404684/original/file-20210606-28232-et9r39.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=440&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/404684/original/file-20210606-28232-et9r39.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=440&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/404684/original/file-20210606-28232-et9r39.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=553&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/404684/original/file-20210606-28232-et9r39.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=553&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/404684/original/file-20210606-28232-et9r39.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=553&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">A paramedic walks around an ambulance at Northwood Manor, one of the largest nursing homes in Atlantic Canada with 585 residents, in Halifax in May 2020, where dozens of residents died of COVID-19.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Retail workers, teachers</h2>
<p>Retail workers noted that media coverage was largely silent on what some saw as unnecessary risks to their health. According to one participant:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“They show us as these lifesavers and glamourize us when in reality, we’re risking our health and safety so Karen can buy Doritos and ice cream at 10 p.m.” </p>
</blockquote>
<p>Teachers noted that they were often portrayed as complaining, whining or lazy, especially when they expressed concerns about working conditions. As one teacher commented:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“It has been interesting to see praises sung as the extent of our jobs was discussed, and then to be referred to in a negative light as we look for clarification of safety measures for returning to school.” </p>
</blockquote>
<p>Our participants’ frustrations with media coverage of their work during the first wave of the pandemic underscore the importance of intentionally including workers’ experiences in public dialogue about the economy and public policy. </p>
<p>After all, workers’ lived experiences are not interchangeable with broader questions about business and the labour market, nor can we understand workers’ experiences through a near exclusive focus on policy. Ignoring workers’ experiences leads to missed opportunities for understanding how policy and working conditions can improve. </p>
<h2>Blaming the benefits</h2>
<p>As a case in point, some Republican governors in the United States recently attributed labour shortages in the food services and hospitality sector to <a href="https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2021/05/14/gop-governors-reject-extra-federal-unemployment-payments">overly generous COVID-19 unemployment benefits</a> provided by the <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/american-rescue-plan/">American Rescue Plan.</a></p>
<figure class="align-left ">
<img alt="Joe Biden signs a bill at his desk in the Oval Office." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/404685/original/file-20210606-21-a0i8t0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/404685/original/file-20210606-21-a0i8t0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/404685/original/file-20210606-21-a0i8t0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/404685/original/file-20210606-21-a0i8t0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/404685/original/file-20210606-21-a0i8t0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/404685/original/file-20210606-21-a0i8t0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/404685/original/file-20210606-21-a0i8t0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">U.S. President Joe Biden signs the American Rescue Plan, a coronavirus relief package, in the Oval Office of the White House in March 2021.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>While economists rejected that connection, <a href="https://www.mississippifreepress.org/12527/breaking-point-restaurant-workers-push-back-amid-unemployment-benefit-crackdown/">worker-centred media coverage</a> provided important insight into why workers were turning away from food services. </p>
<p>In post-pandemic Canada, media will also play a crucial role in shaping public understanding of labour conditions. If we’re committed to creating a future of work that is safe and equitable, workers themselves must be a central voice in the stories that media tell.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/161766/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Elisabeth Rondinelli receives funding from Acadia University/ SSHRC Small Institution Grant. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Rachel K. Brickner receives funding from Acadia University / SSHRC Small Institution Grant. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span><a href="mailto:rebecca.casey@acadiau.ca">rebecca.casey@acadiau.ca</a> receives funding from Acadia University/SSHRC Small Institution Grant.</span></em></p>In post-pandemic Canada, the media will play a big role in shaping public understanding of labour conditions. A future of work that is safe and equitable requires the voices of workers.Elisabeth Rondinelli, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Acadia UniversityRachel K. Brickner, Professor of Politics, Acadia UniversityRebecca Casey, Assistant Professor, Sociology, Acadia UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1594662021-05-06T13:59:56Z2021-05-06T13:59:56ZHearing loss is a neglected hazard for miners in South Africa<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/397794/original/file-20210429-16-m8n7ka.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">The issue of occupational noise-induced hearing loss is prominent in the mining industry.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>South Africa’s mining industry has long been an important part of the country’s economy. </p>
<p>In 2020 alone, despite COVID-19, mining contributed <a href="https://www.mineralscouncil.org.za/industry-news/publications/facts-and-figures">R361.6 billion</a> (almost 20 billion US dollars) towards South Africa’s gross domestic product, a share of over <a href="https://www.mineralscouncil.org.za/industry-news/publications/facts-and-figures">8%</a>. The industry employs 451,000 people. </p>
<p>But despite its value and the <a href="https://www.dmr.gov.za/mine-health-and-safety/overview">regulations</a> in place to protect workers, it has been criticised for a poor record of <a href="https://www.news24.com/health24/news/public-health/r14-billion-settlement-for-miners-with-silicosis-tb-20180508">health and safety</a>. </p>
<p>The South African constitution <a href="https://journals.co.za/doi/10.10520/EJC160901">guarantees</a> workers’ right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or wellbeing. Employers must provide a reasonably practicable working environment that is safe and without risk to the health of employees. </p>
<p>The mining sector has been accused of <a href="https://www.iol.co.za/sunday-tribune/news/probe-into-struggles-of-ex-miners-11515422">neglecting the fundamental rights</a> of most mineworkers. It has <a href="https://journals.co.za/doi/10.10520/EJC160901">failed</a> to implement adequate occupational health and safety regulations on a number of fronts, including monitoring new occupational diseases and injuries. </p>
<p>The country’s miners face a number of hazards. These include <a href="https://www.miningreview.com/southern-africa/south-african-mining-industry-improves-health-and-safety-performance-2016/">fatalities</a>, <a href="https://www.news24.com/health24/news/public-health/r14-billion-settlement-for-miners-with-silicosis-tb-20180508">silicosis</a> (a lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust in gold mines) and occupational noise-induced hearing loss.</p>
<p>Hearing conservation programmes were introduced nationwide in 2003 by the <a href="https://mhsc.org.za/">Mine Health and Safety Council</a>, an organisation comprising labour, the state and employers. But in 2013 the industry <a href="https://www.miningweekly.com/article/noise-induced-hearing-loss-worrying-com-2013-05-20/rep_id:3650">conceded</a> that these were not having the desired impact of reducing the new cases of occupational noise induced hearing loss. </p>
<p>As a response to this admission, we conducted a <a href="http://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10539/27177/FINAL%20SUBMISSION%2023%20Oct%202018.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y">study</a> to understand how these programmes were being implemented in the industry and to identify areas for improvement. </p>
<p>We found a number of gaps in these programmes. There were no clearly defined action plans. We also found flaws in the formulation of hearing conservation programmes. Intervention programmes need to include occupational audiologists. Furthermore, the mining industry needs to be accessible for research purposes. </p>
<h2>Noise-induced hearing loss</h2>
<p>The <a href="https://www.dmr.gov.za/Portals/0/Resource%20Center/Reports%20and%20Other%20Documents/2003_Leon%20Commission_Volume%201.pdf?ver=2018-03-13-020431-270">Leon Commission</a> in 1995 was the first inquiry into occupational health and safety in South Africa’s mining industry for more than 30 years. Eventually, in 2003, hearing conservation programmes were rolled out throughout the industry. </p>
<p>The programmes <a href="http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2225-62532012001000006">targeted two key areas</a>. The first stated no employee’s hearing should deteriorate by more than 10% from the baseline by December 2008. The second was to ensure that, by December 2013, the total noise emitted by all equipment would not be higher than a sound pressure level of 110 dB(A). </p>
<p>Hearing conservation programmes are complex and need an integrated approach. These programmes require a range of <a href="https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/osha3074.pdf">actions to be taken</a>. For example employers must monitor the workers’ noise exposure levels. And employees’ hearing must be monitored over time. </p>
<p>At the summit to review the milestones in 2013, the chairperson of the Mining Council <a href="https://www.miningweekly.com/article/noise-induced-hearing-loss-worrying-com-2013-05-20/rep_id:3650">admitted</a> that the industry was not making the desired progress with noise-induced hearing loss. </p>
<p>The issue of occupational noise-induced hearing loss is <a href="https://www.miningweekly.com/article/noise-induced-hearing-loss-worrying-com-2013-05-20/rep_id:3650">prominent</a> in the mining industry. But there is a lack of information on the extent of hearing loss – this is part of the problem. </p>
<p>Occupational noise-induced hearing loss is not life-threatening. But it has long-lasting health, psychosocial and economic <a href="https://journalotohns.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40463-017-0219-x">effects</a>. </p>
<p>Our research <a href="http://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10539/27177/FINAL%20SUBMISSION%2023%20Oct%202018.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y">investigated</a> the management of occupational noise-induced hearing loss in the South African mining industry from policy formulation to implementation, monitoring and evaluation. We interviewed members of the Mine Health and Safety Council and analysed regulations and policies on the management of occupational noise-induced hearing loss since 1994. </p>
<p>There was a lack of comprehensive studies addressing all the pillars of hearing conservation programmes. Some stakeholders were excluded from the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6176025/">formulation and implementation</a> of these programmes. We also identified gaps in the role of occupational audiologists in the mining sector. </p>
<p>In addition, we faced restrictions when trying to gain access to the mining industry for research purposes. At the core of the problem was the fact that hearing conservation programmes are complex interventions. They have multiple pillars. These <a href="https://sajcd.org.za/index.php/sajcd/article/view/670/1108#:%7E:text=These%20pillars%20include%20periodic%20noise,as%20well%20as%20record%20keeping%20">include</a> periodic noise exposure measurement and monitoring, engineering controls as well as personal hearing protection. Hearing conservation programmes are also influenced by the behaviour of various actors such as mine management and mineworkers. Additionally, there are few studies focusing on understanding the processes followed in the implementation of hearing conservation programmes.</p>
<p>Our original review of hearing conservation programmes was published in 2018. But <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7136819/">more recent research</a> I’ve done shows that the problems persist. Hearing conservation programmes are fragmented. For example, workers were not <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7136819/">adequately trained</a> on using hearing protection devices.</p>
<h2>Way forward</h2>
<p>Currently, hearing conservation programmes are not successful and this may not change unless contextually relevant changes are adopted. </p>
<p>These changes include embracing innovative and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7136823/">evidence-based advances</a> in hearing conservation programmes. Objective stakeholders such as audiologists must be allowed to evaluate the cost versus the benefit of <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7136827/">implementing hearing conservation programmes</a>. </p>
<p>Existing programmes need <a href="https://implementationscience.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1748-5908-7-33">realistic reviews</a> to understand what works, for whom, and under what circumstances. This is key to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16053581/">evaluating</a> the status of these programmes.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/159466/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Nomfundo Moroe does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Noise-induced hearing loss is an occupational health hazard. It remains a prevalent condition in the South African mining industry.Nomfundo Moroe, Lecturer at the Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of the WitwatersrandLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1580622021-03-30T05:24:09Z2021-03-30T05:24:09ZDepression, burnout, insomnia, headaches: how a toxic and sexist workplace culture can affect your health<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/392417/original/file-20210330-13-1chk6w2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C1000%2C667&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>As allegations of rape and sexual assault engulf Australian federal politics, several current and former female staffers and politicians have come forward to share their stories of a culture of toxic masculinity within Australia’s political bubble.</p>
<p>It’s unfortunate that while gender roles are evolving at home, gender inequality and overt sexism remain prevalent in Australian political culture and in many workplaces across the country.</p>
<p>While the effects of a culture of toxic masculinity are most detrimental for the victims, other employees in workplaces and the wider community can also be negatively impacted.</p>
<p>This opens up a broader question: how does a toxic and sexist workplace culture affect the health and well-being of employees and organisations?</p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1376288850314633217"}"></div></p>
<h2>What does a toxic and sexist workplace look like?</h2>
<p>A culture of toxic masculinity is a hostile work environment that undermines women. It’s also known as “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.12284">masculinity contest culture</a>”, which is characterised by hyper-competition, heavy workloads, long hours, assertiveness and extreme risk-taking. It’s worth noting this type of culture isn’t good for men, either.</p>
<p>Such workplaces often feature “win or die” organisational cultures <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.12284">that focus on</a> personal gain and advancement at the expense of other employees. Many employees embedded in such a culture adopt a “mine’s bigger than yours” contest for workloads, work hours and work resources.</p>
<p>These <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1461355716638361">masculinity contest cultures</a> are prevalent in a wide range of industries, such as medicine, finance, engineering, law, politics, sports, police, fire, corrections, military services, tech organisations and increasingly within our universities.</p>
<p>Microaggressions are common behaviours in workplaces steeped with a masculinity contest culture. These include getting interrupted by men in meetings or being told to dress “appropriately” in a certain way. There are also overtly dominating behaviours such as sexual harassment and violence. </p>
<p>These behaviours tend to keep men on top and reinforce a toxic leadership style involving abusive behaviours such as bullying or controlling others.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Boss upset with employee" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/392418/original/file-20210330-15-1n6f115.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/392418/original/file-20210330-15-1n6f115.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/392418/original/file-20210330-15-1n6f115.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/392418/original/file-20210330-15-1n6f115.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/392418/original/file-20210330-15-1n6f115.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/392418/original/file-20210330-15-1n6f115.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/392418/original/file-20210330-15-1n6f115.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">A hyper-masculine work environment might look like huge workloads, long hours, hostility, assertiveness, dominance and an extremely competitive culture.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>At a very basic level, workplaces should afford women safety and justice. But women’s issues are left unaddressed in many workplaces, and many fail to provide women employees with psychological safety or the ability to speak up without being punished or humiliated.</p>
<p>This might be because leaders in the organisation are ill-equipped to deal with these issues, feel uncomfortable bringing them up or, in some cases, are sadly not interested at all.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/toxic-boss-at-work-here-are-some-tips-for-coping-38778">Toxic boss at work? Here are some tips for coping</a>
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</em>
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<hr>
<h2>How does a toxic culture affect our health?</h2>
<p>Evidence suggests a toxic workplace culture can negatively affect employees’ psychological, emotional and physical health.</p>
<p>Emotional effects <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/smi.2626">include</a> a higher likelihood of negative emotions such as anger, disappointment, disgust, fear, frustration and humiliation.</p>
<p>As these negative emotions build, they can <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/smi.2626">lead to</a> stress, anxiety, depression, burnout, cynicism, a lack of motivation and feelings of self-doubt.</p>
<p>Research also points to increased chances of physical symptoms, <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/smi.2626">such as</a> hair loss, insomnia, weight loss or gain, headaches and migraines. </p>
<p>Employees in toxic workplaces tend to have poorer overall well-being, and are more likely to be <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/buy/2014-05059-001">withdrawn and isolated</a> at work and in their personal lives. Over time, this leads to absenteeism, and if problems aren’t addressed, victims may eventually leave the organisation.</p>
<p>For some victims who may not have advanced coping skills, a toxic culture can lead to a downward mental and physical health spiral and contribute to severe long-term mental illness. They may also engage in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-04-2019-0177">displaced aggression</a>, in which they bring home their negative emotions and experiences and take out their frustrations on family members.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Woman stressed and isolated at work" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/392420/original/file-20210330-15-opzmje.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/392420/original/file-20210330-15-opzmje.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=406&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/392420/original/file-20210330-15-opzmje.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=406&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/392420/original/file-20210330-15-opzmje.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=406&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/392420/original/file-20210330-15-opzmje.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=510&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/392420/original/file-20210330-15-opzmje.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=510&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/392420/original/file-20210330-15-opzmje.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=510&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Employees in toxic work environments are more likely to be withdrawn and isolated, both in the office and outside of work.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>How can workplaces change?</h2>
<p>Workplaces aiming to make a real change should start by promoting an open culture where issues can be discussed via multiple formal and informal feedback channels.</p>
<p>One option is formal survey mechanisms that are anonymous, so employees can be open about their concerns and feel less intimidated by the process.</p>
<p>A good first step is having leaders trained to address these issues.</p>
<p>Traditionally, workplace interventions have focused on victims themselves, putting the onus on them to do the work and come forward. However, a healthy workplace culture should see leaders actively seeking feedback to make sure any forms of toxic masculinity are stamped out.</p>
<p>It’s a shared responsibility, and the onus shouldn’t be solely on employees, but leaders, too.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/bad-times-call-for-bold-measures-3-ways-to-fix-the-appalling-treatment-of-women-in-our-national-parliament-157683">Bad times call for bold measures: 3 ways to fix the appalling treatment of women in our national parliament</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/158062/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Paula Brough receives research funding from The Australian Research Council.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Xi Wen (Carys) Chan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Toxic and hyper-masculine workplaces are linked with a variety of health issues including anxiety, depression, burnout, hair loss, insomnia, and headaches.Xi Wen (Carys) Chan, Lecturer in Organisational Psychology, Griffith UniversityPaula Brough, Professor of Organisational Psychology, Griffith UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1455902020-09-11T15:32:43Z2020-09-11T15:32:43ZGreencore factory: timeline of a coronavirus outbreak shows staff must be listened to<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/356755/original/file-20200907-16-1bgooy2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Nearly 300 workers at Northampton's Greencore factory tested positive for coronavirus.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Google Street View</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>The coronavirus outbreak at the Greencore factory was so bad that the UK government recently published new health and safety legislation for England <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/921/made">in direct response to it</a>. The sandwich factory based in Northampton had nearly 300 workers test positive for COVID-19 in mid-August. </p>
<p>As researchers of employment and management who’ve been following this case, we suggest this situation was by no means destined to unfold as it did. Indeed, we believe it could have been prevented had the voice of workers, articulated through their union, the <a href="https://www.bfawu.org/">Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU)</a>, been listened to and acted upon by the management in the lead-up to the outbreak.</p>
<p>A timeline of the outbreak at Greencore reveals some of the missed opportunities to properly listen to staff concerns – something our research shows has a big impact on workplace health and safety. This case also presents lessons for the economic recovery ahead for how to return to workplaces safely and prevent mass outbreaks.</p>
<ul>
<li><p><strong>March 31:</strong> BFAWU starts <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BfawuGreencoreNorthampton/posts/131572775078083">to campaign</a> for full pay for furloughed workers after the company announced it will not top up pay beyond the 80% provided by the government. According to a BFAWU official, this <a href="https://www.socialistalternative.net/2020/08/25/support-the-campaign-justice-for-greencore-workers/">resulted in 60% of Greencore workers</a> receiving less than minimum wage during the lockdown, which made it harder for them to comply with subsequent requirements for self-isolation as staff were compelled to continue working to make ends meet. </p></li>
<li><p><strong>April:</strong> In a series of meetings, BFAWU <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BfawuGreencoreNorthampton/posts/142693623965998">raises concerns</a> about staff access to risk assessments, testing, distancing, personal protective equipment (PPE), temperature checks and the impact of distancing on the pace of work.</p></li>
<li><p><strong>May 7:</strong> BFAWU <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BfawuGreencoreNorthampton/photos/pcb.143403540561673/143403490561678">raises concerns</a> about the effectiveness of the company’s contact-tracing process, the lack of a written COVID-19 procedure and the lack of company sick pay for most workers during self-isolation because of their “flexi-contracts”. </p></li>
<li><p><strong>July 27:</strong> Four Greencore workers <a href="https://thoughtsofaleicestersocialist.wordpress.com/2020/08/29/how-not-to-handle-a-covid-19-outbreak-the-example-of-greencore-food-group/">test positive</a>, followed by another four two days later. By August 4 there are <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGIy6MNSIWU&">24 cases</a>.</p></li>
<li><p><strong>August 10-12:</strong> <a href="https://www.greencore.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Coronavirus-testing-for-all-colleagues-at-Northampton-English-final.pdf">Greencore arranges</a> for private company Randox to test 1,100 workers, which together with NHS testing identifies <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGIy6MNSIWU&">287 cases of COVID-19</a>. Those who test positive and their households are told to self-isolate but the factory remains open.</p></li>
<li><p><strong>August 18:</strong> BFAWU submits a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BfawuGreencoreNorthampton/posts/174746164094077">formal grievance</a> over the lack of sick pay. While it seems that most managers receive company sick pay, many shop floor workers had to rely on statutory sick pay of £95.85 a week.</p></li>
<li><p><strong>August 21:</strong> It emerges that there are links between Greencore cases and cases <a href="https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/health/coronavirus/greencore-employees-were-car-sharing-staff-another-northampton-workplace-has-also-had-coronavirus-outbreak-2949914">at other nearby factories</a>. Greencore says it has seen no evidence of this. Meanwhile, employment agencies are asked to <a href="https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/health/coronavirus/recruitment-agencies-asked-restrict-workers-bid-stop-covid-19-transmission-2949863">stop sending workers</a> to multiple factories to prevent the spread of the virus. </p></li>
<li><p><strong>August 21:</strong> Following pressure from BFAWU, Greencore announces an immediate cease to production at its Northampton site to allow staff to self-isolate for 14 days. It <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-53907729">later emerges</a> that some workers in security and dispatch continued working to “monitor and maintain the site” under official agreement. This is despite claims they mixed with workers in other departments.</p></li>
<li><p><strong>August 28:</strong> The government publishes <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/921/made">new regulations</a> requiring anybody who worked at Greencore between August 7 and August 21, and other members of their household, to self-isolate until September 5, under threat of a £100 fine, unless they meet criteria for an exemption.</p></li>
<li><p><strong>September 1:</strong> BFAWU <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BfawuGreencoreNorthampton/posts/178841550351205">submits a collective grievance</a> stating that some health and safety procedures are not being followed and that the full results from a second round of COVID-19 testing, <a href="https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/health/re-testing-greencore-employees-who-tested-negative-still-ongoing-says-public-health-northants-2951731">which started on 19 August</a>, have still not been shared.</p></li>
</ul>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Factory worker takes temperature of colleague and holds out hand sanitiser." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/356825/original/file-20200907-22-1d2e4ev.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/356825/original/file-20200907-22-1d2e4ev.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=396&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/356825/original/file-20200907-22-1d2e4ev.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=396&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/356825/original/file-20200907-22-1d2e4ev.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=396&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/356825/original/file-20200907-22-1d2e4ev.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=498&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/356825/original/file-20200907-22-1d2e4ev.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=498&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/356825/original/file-20200907-22-1d2e4ev.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=498&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Health and safety has taken on new meaning since coronavirus.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/factory-worker-man-checking-fever-by-1733743910">Shutterstock.com</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Protecting staff and the public</h2>
<p>Since March, workers at Greencore challenged the adequacy of COVID-19 protections through the BFAWU union. Although they were not able to prevent a serious outbreak of COVID-19, they won improvements, setting up a <a href="https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/greencoreoutbreak">hardship fund</a> to provide immediate support, and advising on the importance of contact tracing beyond the household. To the extent that Greencore listened to them, this helped protect workers and the wider public.</p>
<p>Greencore <a href="https://www.greencore.com/update-regarding-covid-19-outbreak-in-northampton-20-august-2020/">says</a>: </p>
<blockquote>
<p>We have worked closely with the Department of Health & Social Care, Public Health England and other government bodies, who have been hugely <a href="https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/health/coronavirus/northants-director-public-healths-comments-about-greencore-staff-are-unacceptable-says-campaign-group-2945000">supportive of our response</a>. If there was any sense that we weren’t implementing the necessary protections then they would of course not allow us to continue to operate. All of our sites have wide-ranging social-distancing measures, stringent hygiene procedures and regular temperature checking in place. </p>
<p>We have also engaged tirelessly with the BFAWU to answer their questions and concerns throughout this process and indeed have valued their input. We have a number of union representatives who are now supplementing our regular safety teams and supervisors to ensure that all of extensive measures that we have in place are being adhered to.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>However, the fact that workers felt the need to resort repeatedly to formal grievances suggests the company could have acted more quickly and the union suggests that some issues are still not resolved.</p>
<h2>‘On mute’</h2>
<p>When the gradual lifting of the UK lockdown was announced in early May, the prime minister encouraged people who had been unable to work remotely to begin talking to their employers about the practicalities of a safe return to the workplace. Given the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925753518307239">growing amount of research</a> on the benefits of employees being able to voice their concerns for a company’s health and safety, the wider importance of these conversations and managing the return to work is vital to recognise. </p>
<p>Greencore workers had a voice through their union representatives. But for many others elsewhere, airing concerns can be difficult, or even impossible, if managers do not make the space for it. </p>
<p>People in low-paid manual work are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/11/manual-workers-likelier-to-die-from-covid-19-than-professionals">up to four times more likely to die</a> from the virus than professionals. Many of these workers were <a href="https://www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/news/articles/frontline-workers-less-able-to-raise-safety-concerns-research-shows">“on mute”</a> before the pandemic and continue to lack a voice at work. </p>
<p>The consequences have been devastating for some, with low voice contributing to high mortality within the <a href="https://www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releases/uk-among-highest-covid-19-health-worker-deaths-world">UK health and social care sector</a> and curtailing the influence of those from black and ethnic minority groups who are <a href="https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/articles/coronaviruscovid19infectionsinthecommunityinengland/characteristicsofpeopletestingpositiveforcovid19inenglandaugust2020">up to 50% more likely to die</a> from the virus than white counterparts. </p>
<p>The Greencore case highlights the importance of organised workers’ voices in this crisis. It also suggests that without sufficient economic security, crucially including full sick pay for all workers who need to self-isolate, other measures to encourage or enforce self-isolation are unlikely to be effective.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/145590/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Tom Vickers is Convenor of the Work Futures Research Group and a member of the Centre for People, Work and Organizational Practice at Nottingham Trent University. He has received funding from the Economic and Social Research Council, the British Academy, the Leverhulme Trust and the British Sociological Association.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Helen Shipton is Co-Director of the Centre for People, Work and Organisational Practice in Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University and Vice Chair of the British Academy of Management. She has received funding from the Economic and Social Research Council, the British Academy/ Leverhulme Trust, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and the Lloyds Foundation.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Wilson Wong has received research funding from the EU Objective 2 programme. He is a member of the CIPD, Prospect Trade Union, and Chair of the Human Capital Standards 1 and Deputy Chair Knowledge Management Standards 1 Committees at the British Standards Institution.</span></em></p>The Greencore case also presents lessons for the post-coronavirus economic recovery ahead.Tom Vickers, Senior Lecturer in Sociology and Convenor of the Work Futures Research Group, Nottingham Trent UniversityHelen Shipton, Professor of International Human Resource Management, Nottingham Trent UniversityWilson Wong, Visiting Professor, Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1447182020-09-02T14:02:26Z2020-09-02T14:02:26ZUnionized workers are more likely to assert their right to a safe and healthy workplace<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/355889/original/file-20200901-16-zikxo7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=49%2C40%2C2946%2C2043&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Many essential workers believe joining a union could provide more protections. </span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/CORRECTIONVirusOutbreakCaliforniaMcDonalds/61f94f359a0a4a6a8fb6a5e8a0a399d1/photo?Query=coronavirus%20worker%20safety&mediaType=photo&sortBy=&dateRange=Anytime&totalCount=118&currentItemNo=21">AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes</a></span></figcaption></figure><p><em>The <a href="https://theconversation.com/us/topics/research-brief-83231">Research Brief</a> is a short take about interesting academic work.</em></p>
<h2>The big idea</h2>
<p>Unionized workers are more likely than their non-union peers to speak up about health and safety problems in the workplace, according to a <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/0019793920953089">just-published, peer-reviewed study</a> I conducted with <a href="http://eng.kiet.re.kr/optional/engemployee/view_pop.jsp?idx=3303">Jooyoung Yang</a>, who was a Ph.D. student in applied economics at the time of the research. </p>
<p>To reach this conclusion, we examined over 70,000 unionization votes from 1985 to 2009 and focused on elections where the tally in favor or against was very small. This allowed us to zero in on the impact of unionization itself on worker behavior. We then compared these workplaces with the number of inspections conducted by state or federal occupational health and safety enforcement agencies that resulted from an employee complaint. We found that unionized workplaces were 30% more likely to face an inspection for a health or safety violation. </p>
<p>The likely reasons why, in my view, are that unions can help organized workers <a href="https://www.coshnetwork.org/know-your-rights">learn about their rights</a>, file complaints and provide greater protections against illegal retaliation by employers. </p>
<p>[<em>Deep knowledge, daily.</em> <a href="https://theconversation.com/us/newsletters/the-daily-3?utm_source=TCUS&utm_medium=inline-link&utm_campaign=newsletter-text&utm_content=deepknowledge">Sign up for The Conversation’s newsletter</a>.]</p>
<h2>Why it matters</h2>
<p>The health and safety of workers is always a concern, but the current pandemic makes the issue more important than ever, especially for essential workers in <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/pdfs/mm6935e2-H.pdf">health care</a>, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/grocery-food-retail-workers.html">retail</a> and <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/index.html">child care centers and schools</a>. But beyond them, all workers – including those with typically safe office jobs – are at increased risk of catching the coronavirus. </p>
<p>The costs of providing sufficient protective gear or taking other steps to ensure worker safety can be high, which means <a href="https://www.vox.com/coronavirus-covid19/2020/5/7/21250387/essential-worker-ppe-amazon-walmart-employees-protection-hazard-pay">some companies have at times resisted</a> doing all they can to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jul/24/covid-19-workers-dangers-unions">protect their employees</a>. What’s more, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-08-27/covid-pandemic-u-s-businesses-issue-gag-rules-to-stop-workers-from-talking">they are trying to prevent</a> their workers from learning about cases of coronavirus in their workplace and <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/07/20/how-trump-is-helping-tycoons-exploit-the-pandemic">have been lobbying governments</a> for immunity from any liability. </p>
<p>That means it’s even more vital that workers are able to raise their voices when they feel that their workplace is unsafe. Our research suggests belonging to a union can play a big role in ensuring those voices are heard. </p>
<p>This may also be why we’ve seen more workers <a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/k7e4gn/coronavirus-has-caused-more-than-150-strikes-this-map-is-tracking-them-all">going on strike</a> and <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/28/opinion/coronavirus-amazon-wildcat-strikes.html">asserting their rights</a> to safer and healthier workplaces. </p>
<h2>What’s next</h2>
<p>Currently, I am working on two related follow-up projects.</p>
<p><a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3673495">One aims to build</a> and analyze more comprehensive measures of labor rights violations by connecting records from the various federal agencies that protect workers, such as
the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Labor Relations Board. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3596666">The other</a> studies how workers share information with one another about their employers on Glassdoor and how useful the job search site is to job seekers.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/144718/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Aaron Sojourner receives funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the McKnight Foundation and the study discussed here received funding from the U.S. Department of Labor. He is affiliated with the Constellation Fund.</span></em></p>The coronavirus pandemic highlights the importance of ensuring safe workspaces, and a new study suggests unionization leads workers to speak up about poor conditions.Aaron Sojourner, Associate Professor and Labor Economist, University of MinnesotaLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1452102020-08-28T12:23:56Z2020-08-28T12:23:56ZReturning to the office: how to stay connected and socially distant<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/355290/original/file-20200828-24-1gqpyix.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Two metres apart.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/young-people-face-masks-back-work-1751409953">Shutterstock.com</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Companies around the world are debating how and when to return to the office. Health and safety has taken on a whole new significance in the era of coronavirus. To bring people back safely, the options for office redesign are bewildering. How should desks be arranged to enable social distancing alongside the benefits of being in the same room? And do people need to return for five days a week?</p>
<p>Many companies are looking to have some employees work from home, some of the time. But unless careful thinking goes into this, companies run the risk of getting stuck in the middle, achieving neither the benefits of the traditional office nor the safety conferred by the home. </p>
<p>Consider, for instance, the <a href="https://www.cushmanwakefield.com/en/netherlands/six-feet-office">6 Feet Office</a>. This concept, developed by a commercial real estate multinational, Cushman and Wakefield, aims to ensure that employees remain six feet apart at all times. It is achieved by spacing desks, creating one-way people circulation, and including visual signs in the carpeting around each desk so as to nudge people to keep their distance.</p>
<p>This idea runs the risk of throwing the baby out with the bathwater. As architecture scholar Kerstin Sailer <a href="https://brainybirdz.net/2020/06/18/configurational-thinking/">has noted</a>, its combination of distanced furniture, nudges, and warnings can also stigmatise social interaction, pushing all communication online, even in the office. If that is the case, why not just work from home? </p>
<p>Companies need to incorporate an essential lesson from the COVID-19 lockdown: Zoom works surprisingly well. But there are also lots of benefits to informal interaction – something a prearranged video call cannot replicate. In light of this, we propose a hybrid system of the best of both worlds. If fewer people are coming in to maintain social distancing, it is best to have all teams represented. And the office layout must facilitate connections between people rather than keeping them apart.</p>
<h2>Planned vs unplanned communication</h2>
<p>There’s an important distinction between planned and unplanned communication at work. Unplanned communication typically takes place via serendipitous encounters and, importantly, involves conversations across teams. Here proximity is needed.</p>
<p>This is because different teams are typically not part of the same reporting line, and so communication depends on unplanned engagements like overhearing each other talk or chance encounters in the corridor. This can have real business benefits. As one of us has documented in our <a href="https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691162812/taking-the-floor">recent book</a>, unplanned social interaction across nearby desks in a Wall Street trading floor improved the use of financial models.</p>
<p>In the case of planned communication, remote conferencing technology has made proximity less important. The reason is that within-team communication typically happens on a planned and routine basis, so all it needs is a digital platform. </p>
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<img alt="Back view of woman on video call with lots of people." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/355302/original/file-20200828-22-1ytjiuh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/355302/original/file-20200828-22-1ytjiuh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/355302/original/file-20200828-22-1ytjiuh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/355302/original/file-20200828-22-1ytjiuh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/355302/original/file-20200828-22-1ytjiuh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/355302/original/file-20200828-22-1ytjiuh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/355302/original/file-20200828-22-1ytjiuh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">Video calls work well for planned communication.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/back-view-female-employee-speak-talk-1689338029">Shutterstock.com</a></span>
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<p>This message came out clearly from a panel event we organised <a href="https://www.systemicrisk.ac.uk/events/market-stability-social-distancing-and-future-trading-floors-after-covid-19">at the LSE’s Systemic Risk Centre</a>. Charles Bristow, global head of rates trading at investment bank JP Morgan, and one of the panellists, explained that “a team of people trading together on a single product are getting incoming inquiries through the same channels” and “use the same tools”. For that reason, communicating remotely is incredibly easy and can even be more efficient.</p>
<p>So physical proximity is primarily needed for unplanned communication. It means remote working can continue at little cost to planned communication. And it potentially means that if companies want to bring limited numbers of people back to the office, they should focus on having at least one member from every team. This will enable cross-team communication, which relies on physical proximity.</p>
<h2>Keeping everyone engaged</h2>
<p>Another important element of office design to take into account is the extent that it facilitates employee engagement – whether people leave their desks to come into face-to-face contact. This is important for building better relationships between colleagues and company culture.</p>
<p>To facilitate this, the focus on social distancing must distinguish between distance and accessibility. While distance reduces the extent that people can engage with each other and collaborate, research in architecture shows that ease of access and facilitating movement can partly compensate for distance. </p>
<p>As Sailer <a href="https://brainybirdz.net/2020/06/18/configurational-thinking/">has established</a>, in a house where every room is accessible to every other room via a door, connection is far easier than in one where you can only access a given room from the adjoining one. The same degree of distancing between people, in other words, can lead to vastly different levels of engagement. </p>
<p>To achieve this connectivity (while maintaining social distance), companies can leverage the staggered return of employees to remove some desks and create a corridor around the periphery of their open plan offices, giving employees the chance to easily access each other. Encounters and conversations can be further facilitated by nooks and corners outside such a corridor, so that employees can have quick one-on-ones without blocking circulation. </p>
<p>The return to the office after months of remote working gives companies a chance to make their setups more effective. They can incorporate the benefits of remote working, while ensuring people can interact and exchange ideas in a safer way than if they blindly replicated their pre-COVID work arrangements.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/145210/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>There’s an important distinction between planned and unplanned communication.Daniel Beunza, Associate Professor of Management, City, University of LondonDerin Kent, Postdoctoral Researcher in Management, Aalto UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1450922020-08-26T08:14:37Z2020-08-26T08:14:37ZHere’s the proof we need. Many more health workers than we ever thought are catching COVID-19 on the job<p>Yesterday, the Victorian government <a href="https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/protecting-our-healthcare-heroes">released much-anticipated figures</a> showing the proportion of the state’s health-care workers who caught COVID-19 at work.</p>
<p>Victoria’s chief medical officer Andrew Wilson <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-25/health-workers-covid-coronavirus-case-numbers-victoria/12582468">said</a> yesterday that 70-80% of health workers testing positive to COVID-19 were infected at work. That’s <a href="https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/protecting-our-healthcare-heroes">compared with 22%</a> in the first wave. </p>
<p>That figure, which equates to at least 1,600 people infected in the workplace, is shocking and tragic. This is because occupational exposure of health-care workers to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, represents a failing of hazard control in many workplaces — across multiple locations, in hospital and in aged care.</p>
<p>We also need to acknowledge this problem is fundamentally an occupational health and safety issue rather than simply an infectious disease problem. This means experts in occupational health and safety need to be intrinsically involved in recommendations and guidance to government and employers.</p>
<h2>What else did the report find?</h2>
<p>The report found infection of health-care workers was greatest in areas where there were many patients with COVID-19 being cared for together (known as “cohorting”), and where health-care workers congregated, such as tea rooms.</p>
<p>Other contributing factors were the increased risk associated with putting on and taking off (donning and doffing) personal protective equipment (PPE), staff moving between health-care facilities, and poor ventilation systems with inadequate air flow.</p>
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<p>The report tells us health-care workers in aged care accounted for around two in five infections, and hospital workers around one-third.</p>
<p>However, further details were not provided. These include the actual number of health-care workers infected at work, and a detailed breakdown of the category of health-care worker infected, as well as their age ranges and gender. </p>
<p>We also don’t know the severity of health-care worker infections (number of people who are or have been hospitalised, in ICU, or died).</p>
<h2>How big a problem is this?</h2>
<p>The number of health-care workers infected with COVID-19 in Victoria has reached <a href="https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-update-victoria-26-august-2020">2,799</a>. That makes a seven-day average of 43 new cases each day.</p>
<p>This means that while the state’s total number of new cases continues to decline, health-care worker infections make up around 30% of new cases each day. </p>
<p>Controlling the number of new health-care worker infections is essential, not only for health-care workers but for the <a href="https://theconversation.com/rising-coronavirus-cases-among-victorian-health-workers-could-threaten-our-pandemic-response-142375">sustainability</a> of our health-care system, and to reduce the overall number of cases.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/rising-coronavirus-cases-among-victorian-health-workers-could-threaten-our-pandemic-response-142375">Rising coronavirus cases among Victorian health workers could threaten our pandemic response</a>
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<p>As the total number of health-care worker infections has risen, <a href="https://amavic.com.au/news---resources/stethoscope/-207-covid-19-is-an-occupational-health-and-safety-issue">key</a> <a href="https://otr.anmfvic.asn.au/categories/news-features">groups</a> representing doctors and nurses have called on the government to produce data on the number of health-care workers infected at work and a breakdown of the data by health-care worker type, age, location and severity. </p>
<p>Yesterday the government released its keenly awaited <a href="https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/protecting-our-healthcare-heroes">analysis</a>. </p>
<h2>What should we do about it?</h2>
<p>In light of the report, the Victorian government has established a new health-care worker infection prevention and well-being taskforce. </p>
<p>This is an important step forward and hopefully includes representation from all expert groups, especially occupation health and safety exerts.</p>
<p>Data from <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7172566/">earlier in the year</a>, and indeed prior experiences with SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), have already given us a <a href="https://theconversation.com/ppe-unmasked-why-health-care-workers-in-australia-are-inadequately-protected-against-coronavirus-143751">blueprint</a> for how to protect health-care workers today.</p>
<p>The blueprint includes implementing a system of hazard control measures (called a hierarchy of control model) in all health-care settings using experts in the field of occupational health and safety, including occupation hygienists.</p>
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<p>The government report also outlines plans to develop ventilated and heated marquee-type tents for workers to have their tea breaks in, which is also good news. This recognises the contribution poor air flow makes to the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. </p>
<p>The planned introduction of PPE “spotters” in workplaces is also positive but further details are needed to understand exactly what they will do.</p>
<p>This will hopefully reduce staffing pressure in the workplace and ensure correct donning and doffing of PPE.</p>
<h2>What about ‘fit testing’ respirators?</h2>
<p>The report also included the surprising announcement that the government was going to undertake a fit-testing trial of respirators.</p>
<p>Testing that respirators, such as N95 face masks, fit and that staff are trained to use them are essential parts of workplace safety, in any industry. It is required as part of <a href="https://www.standards.org.au/standards-catalogue/sa-snz/publicsafety/sf-010/as-slash-nzs--1715-2009">Australian standard</a> AS 1715.</p>
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<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/ppe-unmasked-why-health-care-workers-in-australia-are-inadequately-protected-against-coronavirus-143751">PPE unmasked: why health-care workers in Australia are inadequately protected against coronavirus</a>
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<p>So, there is no need to <em>trial</em> fit testing. This is clear from experience in other industries where workers are exposed to hazards such as asbestos or dangerous laboratory fumes. </p>
<p>What is needed is immediate <em>implementation</em> of fit testing and training so health-care workers can be assured their masks fit correctly and do not allow the virus in. This is especially important for females, with many reporting the standard respirator size does not fit properly.</p>
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<h2>The government needs to do more</h2>
<p>The government’s report acknowledged the likelihood of aerosol spread as a mechanism for the transmission of SARS-COV-2. So it has engaged the Victorian Health and Human Services Building Authority to conduct a study aimed at investigating aerosols and their spread on surfaces. </p>
<p>We do not have to wait for the results of this research. The government can act now and take the next step and immediately change its guidelines for PPE for health-care workers.</p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/is-the-airborne-route-a-major-source-of-coronavirus-transmission-141198">Is the airborne route a major source of coronavirus transmission?</a>
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<p>The <a href="https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/personal-protective-equipment-ppe-covid-19">Victorian PPE guideline for health-care workers</a> still does not recommend universal PPE designed to protect health workers from aerosols when caring for COVID-19 suspected or positive patients. </p>
<p>The guidelines instead recommend PPE to protect against droplet transmission (such as surgical masks), even in the situation where a person with COVID-19 is severely coughing.</p>
<p>Disappointingly, <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/07/guidance-on-the-use-of-personal-protective-equipment-ppe-in-hospitals-during-the-covid-19-outbreak.pdf">national guidance</a> still remain unchanged regarding its advice for health-care workers caring for COVID-19 suspected or positive patients. It too does not recommend universal aerosol precaution PPE (including respirators) when health-care workers care for patients with COVID-19.</p>
<p>These guidelines need to be urgently updated to protect health-care workers. </p>
<p>There is also an urgent need for a comprehensive, publicly accessible state and national registry of health-care worker infections that provides regularly updated disaggregated data about health-care worker infections.</p>
<p>This is essential so the magnitude of the problem can continue to be addressed and immediate preventative strategies put in place.</p>
<p>Finally, now the problem of occupational exposure of health-care workers to SARS-CoV-2 has been acknowledged, we must make all these changes immediately.</p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/goodbye-brain-scrapers-covid-19-tests-now-use-gentler-nose-swabs-144416">Goodbye, brain scrapers. COVID-19 tests now use gentler nose swabs</a>
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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/145092/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Alicia Dennis receives funding from The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists and received funding from National Health and Medical Research Council Australia (NHMRC) 2016-2020. She is a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, a member of the Australian Society of Anaesthetists, the Australian Medical Association and the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD). She is the Australasian Representative on the Scientific Affairs Committee of the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists.</span></em></p>Some 70-80% of health-care workers testing positive to COVID-19 in Victoria’s second wave were infected at work, compared with 22% in the first wave.Alicia Dennis, Associate Professor MBBS, PhD, MPH, PGDipEcho, FANZCA, The University of MelbourneLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1426412020-07-15T20:01:10Z2020-07-15T20:01:10ZCan Australian businesses force customers to wear a mask? Here’s what the law says<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/347509/original/file-20200715-27-herz7f.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=128%2C149%2C2636%2C1670&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Loren Elliott/AAP</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>Many Victorians are now being asked to <a href="https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/face-masks-covid-19">wear a mask in public</a> if they can’t socially distance. </p>
<p>It is possible this practice may be encouraged more widely across Australia, amid a push from health professionals to <a href="https://theconversation.com/victorians-and-anyone-else-at-risk-should-now-be-wearing-face-masks-heres-how-to-make-one-141980">increase mask-wearing</a>. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/victorians-and-anyone-else-at-risk-should-now-be-wearing-face-masks-heres-how-to-make-one-141980">Victorians, and anyone else at risk, should now be wearing face masks. Here's how to make one</a>
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<p>People will of course still want to visit private spaces, including offices, GP clinics and churches. They will want to go shopping and visit cafes. </p>
<p>So, can businesses refuse entry to customers who are not wearing a mask? Similarly, can they refuse entry to anyone not sanitising their hands? </p>
<p>What are our rights and obligations when it comes to mask wearing?</p>
<h2>Business owners can set the rules</h2>
<p>Australian law, quite simply, says that private landowners or occupiers can take reasonable steps to protect themselves, their employees and people <a href="https://www.australianacademicpress.com.au/books/details/250/Professional_Practice_in_Crime_Prevention_and_Security_Management">on their property</a>. </p>
<p>So it would be legal for businesses - including cafes and supermarkets - to make it a condition of entry that customers wear a mask and sanitise their hands. </p>
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<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/347512/original/file-20200715-17-1m4grqy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/347512/original/file-20200715-17-1m4grqy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/347512/original/file-20200715-17-1m4grqy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/347512/original/file-20200715-17-1m4grqy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/347512/original/file-20200715-17-1m4grqy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/347512/original/file-20200715-17-1m4grqy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/347512/original/file-20200715-17-1m4grqy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">Supermarkets and other shops can take ‘reasonable steps’ to keep people safe on their premises.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Loren Elliott/ AAP</span></span>
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<p>It makes little difference whether the business is a GP clinic rather than, say, a greengrocer, in establishing their right to exclude patrons. However, in practical terms, people should realise the increased potential for catching/transmitting COVID-19 in a healthcare facility makes it even more important for the business owner to exclude those failing to wear a mask.</p>
<h2>Entry conditions are nothing new</h2>
<p>Entry rules and safety requirements are concepts we are already very familiar with in Australia.</p>
<p>We know and accept that nightclubs and private bars can enforce dress codes without fear of running afoul of the law. Indeed, you cannot board a plane or enter big public arenas without a bag check. </p>
<p>Schools have been instructing students’ families to accept “no hat, no play” for years due to the dangers of children being sunburnt.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/which-face-mask-should-i-wear-142373">Which face mask should I wear?</a>
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<p>Moreover, the law mandates seatbelts in cars and helmets for cyclists. These infringements on personal liberty are seen as acceptable - in both practice and law - because they protect both individuals and community safety.</p>
<h2>It’s also about occupational health and safety</h2>
<p>When it comes to businesses making customers wear a mask, there are important occupational health and safety considerations as well. The <a href="https://www.ohchr.org/en/professionalinterest/pages/cescr.aspx">International Covenant</a> on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights notes employees have a right to “safe and healthy working conditions”. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/347518/original/file-20200715-29-1y2tip5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/347518/original/file-20200715-29-1y2tip5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=395&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/347518/original/file-20200715-29-1y2tip5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=395&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/347518/original/file-20200715-29-1y2tip5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=395&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/347518/original/file-20200715-29-1y2tip5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=497&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/347518/original/file-20200715-29-1y2tip5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=497&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/347518/original/file-20200715-29-1y2tip5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=497&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Victorians under ‘stage 3’ restrictions have been encouraged to wear a mask in public.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Scott Barbour/ AAP</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The United Nation’s 2011 <a href="https://www.ohchr.org/documents/publications/guidingprinciplesbusinesshr_en.pdf">Protect Respect and Remedy Framework</a> also emphasises the need for businesses to take adequate preventive measures to ensure the health and safety of workers. </p>
<p>Following a <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-03/R2002-001_Law_Neg_Final.pdf">major 2002 report</a> to the federal government on negligence law reform, civil liability amendments were enacted in all jurisdictions across Australia.</p>
<p>South Australia’s <a href="https://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/LZ/C/A/CIVIL%20LIABILITY%20ACT%201936/CURRENT/1936.2267.AUTH.PDF">Civil Liability Act</a> provides a useful example of the scope of the reforms. It says when examining “standard of care”, a court must take into account, among other matters,</p>
<blockquote>
<p>the measures (if any) taken [by the building occupier] to eliminate, reduce or warn against the danger; and the extent (if at all) to which it would have been reasonable and practicable for the occupier to take measures to eliminate, reduce or warn against the danger.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>We don’t need ‘mask rage’ here</h2>
<p>In the United States - where the political and COVID-19 situations are admittedly quite different from Australia’s - there is a <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53378439">heated debate</a> about mask wearing. This has involved multiple cases of “<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2020/07/10/coronavirus-surges-republican-territory-so-does-rage-over-masks/5411981002/">mask rage</a>”, featuring full-on scuffles in shops over people’s refusal to wear a mask. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/mask-resistance-during-a-pandemic-isnt-new-in-1918-many-americans-were-slackers-141687">Mask resistance during a pandemic isn't new – in 1918 many Americans were 'slackers'</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>This ongoing mask conflict recently gave rise to a sign, <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/us-news/bar-praised-best-sign-ever-22333922">reportedly</a> put up by a Portland bar, that was then shared widely on social media. It captures the essence of the legal position here in Australia, too. </p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1281041562420383746"}"></div></p>
<h2>We can also use common sense</h2>
<p>It is also important to note that that businesses, in setting their rules, cannot act in a discriminatory way. The law protects us against a range of discriminatory behaviours. The potential for, say, <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2018C00125">disability</a> or <a href="http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/consol_act/cohrara2006433/s14.html">religious</a> discrimination might allow a person to legitimately refuse to wear a mask. </p>
<p>In that event, the shop would need to make alternative arrangements for that customer.</p>
<p>Ultimately, however, when it comes to taking protective action, as a community we need to rely as much on commonsense and common courtesies as anything else.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/142641/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Rick Sarre is a member of the ALP State Council (SA).</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Juliette McIntyre does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>As Melburnians are encouraged to wear masks in public, shops and cafes around Australia can already make mask-wearing a condition of entry.Rick Sarre, Adjunct Professor of Law and Criminal Justice, University of South AustraliaJuliette McIntyre, Lecturer in Law, University of South AustraliaLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1294322020-01-12T20:14:28Z2020-01-12T20:14:28ZWhat employers need to know: the legal risk of asking staff to work in smokey air<p>Amid thick bushfire smoke in cities including Canberra and Melbourne, employers need to consider their legal obligations.</p>
<p>Some have directed their workers not to turn up in order to avoid to occupational health and safety risks. Among them is the Commonwealth <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-05/nsw-fires-blanket-canberra-in-thick-smoke/11841546">department of home affairs</a> which last week asked most of its staff to stay away from its Canberra headquarters for 48 hours.</p>
<p>Other employers want to know where they stand.</p>
<hr>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/309183/original/file-20200109-138653-1g0zb74.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/309183/original/file-20200109-138653-1g0zb74.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/309183/original/file-20200109-138653-1g0zb74.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=176&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/309183/original/file-20200109-138653-1g0zb74.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=176&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/309183/original/file-20200109-138653-1g0zb74.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=176&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/309183/original/file-20200109-138653-1g0zb74.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=221&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/309183/original/file-20200109-138653-1g0zb74.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=221&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/309183/original/file-20200109-138653-1g0zb74.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=221&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption"></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<hr>
<p>Each state and territory has its own occupational health and safety laws.<br>
However most line up with the so-called Model Act, intended to harmonise state laws.</p>
<p>Under section 17 it imposes on employers a duty to, so far as is <a href="http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/whasa2011218/s17.html">reasonably practicable</a>, ensure health and safety by eliminating or minimising risks. </p>
<p>This employer’s duty applies not only to its employees, but also to other types of workers including independent contractors.</p>
<h2>Meaning of ‘reasonably practicable"</h2>
<p>Under the section 18 of the Model Act, “reasonably practicable” <a href="http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/whasa2011218/s18.html">means</a> </p>
<blockquote>
<p>that which is, or was at a particular time, reasonably able to be done in relation to ensuring health and safety, taking into account and weighing up all relevant matters</p>
</blockquote>
<p>By themselves, these words aren’t much of a guide, so the Act includes examples of “relevant matters”, among them:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>the likelihood of a hazard or risk occurring</p></li>
<li><p>the degree of harm that might result</p></li>
<li><p>what the employer knows or ought reasonably know about the hazard or risk, and ways of eliminating or minimising hazard or risk</p></li>
<li><p>the availability and suitability of ways to eliminate or reduce hazard or risk</p></li>
<li><p>the cost associated with available ways of eliminating or minimising the risk, including whether the cost is grossly disproportionate to the risk</p></li>
</ul>
<h2>Meaning of 'likelihood’</h2>
<p>Employers should make themselves aware of the risk of an air quality hazard.<br>
This can be achieved by checking the most up to date air quality index in the location on an environment protection authority website:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/">NSW</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/for-community/airwatch">Victoria</a></p>
<p><a href="https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/air-quality/">Queensland</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.epa.sa.gov.au/data_and_publications/air_quality_monitoring">South Australia</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.der.wa.gov.au/your-environment/air/air-quality-index">Western Australia</a></p>
<p><a href="https://epa.tas.gov.au/epa/air/monitoring-air-pollution/real-time-air-quality-data-for-tasmania">Tasmania</a></p>
<p><a href="http://ntepa.webhop.net/NTEPA/Default.ltr.aspx">Northern Territory</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.health.act.gov.au/about-our-health-system/population-health/environmental-monitoring/monitoring-and-regulating-air">Australian Capital Territory</a></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Workers who work outdoors are more likely to be subject to harmful effects of bushfire smoke than indoor workers. </p>
<p>They are more likely to experience irritation to their airways, nose and eyes. </p>
<p>They might also experience low visibility which might make their work more dangerous. </p>
<p>The machines they operate could also be impacted by the smoke and dust in a way which would make operating them more dangerous.</p>
<p>Special measures should be taken to protect workers who work outdoors, such as providing them with face masks or rescheduling their work.</p>
<figure>
<iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ENk1gWbsbL4?wmode=transparent&start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<figcaption><span class="caption">Smoke emissions from the Australian bushfires from 1 December 2019 to 4 January 2020.</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Meaning of ‘degree of harm’</h2>
<figure class="align-right zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/309230/original/file-20200109-80107-gc35i9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/309230/original/file-20200109-80107-gc35i9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/309230/original/file-20200109-80107-gc35i9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=900&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/309230/original/file-20200109-80107-gc35i9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=900&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/309230/original/file-20200109-80107-gc35i9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=900&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/309230/original/file-20200109-80107-gc35i9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=1131&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/309230/original/file-20200109-80107-gc35i9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=1131&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/309230/original/file-20200109-80107-gc35i9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=1131&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Asthma suffers might be at greater risk.</span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>It is certainly arguable the likelihood of harm for indoor workers is much lower, especially if the air quality in their workplace is the same or even better than the air quality in their homes. </p>
<p>Employers should have up-to-date information about the health of their workers, especially those workers who have pre-existing conditions that might predispose them to harm from smoke. </p>
<p>Among these would be workers who have asthma or other respiratory disorders.</p>
<p>Special steps should be taken to protect them, taking into account their pre-existing conditions.</p>
<h2>Meaning of ‘reasonably ought to know’</h2>
<p>Employers should be checking up-to-date information on an environment protection authority website and on the website of <a href="https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/media-centre/news/bushfires-and-air-pollution">Safe Work Australia</a>.</p>
<p>It’s very likely law enforcers will presume the information on these websites constitute information the employer ought to have known in determining the appropriate action to take. </p>
<p>For example, it would be difficult for an employer to argue they didn’t know P2 rated face masks should be provided to workers when the Safe Work Australia website <a href="https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/media-centre/news/bushfires-and-air-pollution">specifically mentions them</a> as an appropriate way of eliminating or reducing air quality hazards.</p>
<h2>Meaning of ‘availability of ways to reduce risk’</h2>
<p>Safe Work Australia says employers should have in place <a href="https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/topic/weather#working-in-air-pollution">measures</a> to manage the risks to health and safety of working outdoors when air quality is reduced, including:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>working indoors (where possible)</p></li>
<li><p>rescheduling outdoor work until conditions improve</p></li>
<li><p>ensuring buildings and equipment are functioning correctly and have not been affected by dust or debris</p></li>
<li><p>cleaning dust and debris off outdoor surfaces</p></li>
<li><p>providing personal protective equipment such as eye protection and correctly fitted P2-rated face masks.</p></li>
</ul>
<h2>Meaning of ‘cost of minimising hazard’</h2>
<p>The cost of elimination or minimising hazard will be higher for some measures than others. </p>
<p>For example, it might cost more to direct workers to stay home than to provide face masks. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/our-buildings-arent-made-to-keep-out-bushfire-smoke-heres-what-you-can-do-129367">Our buildings aren't made to keep out bushfire smoke. Here's what you can do</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>These costs need to be weighed up against the likelihood and degree of potential harm. </p>
<p>If the likelihood and degree of harm is high, it’s unlikely law enforcers will be particularly sympathetic to arguments about cost.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/129432/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Elizabeth Shi does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Employers obligations are set out clearly. What’s important is what they “know or reasonably ought to know”.Elizabeth Shi, Senior Lecturer, Graduate School of Business and Law, RMIT UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1181522019-11-21T13:58:23Z2019-11-21T13:58:23ZNail salon workers suffer chemical exposures that can be like working at a garage or a refinery<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/294623/original/file-20190927-185403-1nhy7sj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">The chemicals in nail products put nail salon workers at risk for cancer and other illnesses. </span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Angie Chung/Flickr</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>Anyone who has walked past a nail salon is familiar with the noxious odors that emanate from acrylic nails, polishes and removers. Customers getting manicures and pedicures endure the smell temporarily, but manicurists who inhale these evaporating chemicals for hours expose themselves to health risks. </p>
<p>The smells come from volatile organic compounds, or VOCs – compounds that <a href="https://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/chemicals-and-contaminants/volatile-organic-compounds-vocs">easily become vapors or gases</a>. These substances have been <a href="https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/volatile-organic-compounds-impact-indoor-air-quality#Health_Effects">linked to health problems</a> ranging from headaches and respiratory irritation to reproductive complications and cancer. In a normal room-temperature environment, VOCs evaporate and humans breathe them in. </p>
<p>Our research team, along with colleagues at Colorado State University, recently investigated <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.03.086">chemical exposures in six Colorado nail salons</a> and found that employees spent their days exposed to high levels of VOCs. Participating technicians, who had worked in salons for up to 19 years, reported suffering headaches and skin and eye irritation. </p>
<p>We measured levels of benzene and formaldehyde in the salons, and determined that exposure to these known human carcinogens was increasing the workers’ lifetime cancer risks above one in one million – the level that <a href="https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/iwachap10.pdf">many U.S. agencies consider acceptable</a> in regulating exposure to harmful substances.</p>
<figure>
<iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R20A0iQYc4o?wmode=transparent&start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<figcaption><span class="caption">Nail salon workers in New York City rally for safer working conditions.</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Identifying health hazards</h2>
<p>A 2015 <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/10/nyregion/at-nail-salons-in-nyc-manicurists-are-underpaid-and-unprotected.html">New York Times exposé</a> highlighted underpayment and poor working conditions in New York nail salons. However, it failed to address chemical exposures that salon workers experience daily.</p>
<p>Several research groups have sought to <a href="https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2010.300099">characterize</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2012.755152">quantify</a> VOC exposures <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-018-1353-0">in the nail salon environment</a>, using standard measurement techniques and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-007-9084-4">self-reported health surveys</a>. Their research shows that nail salon workers are exposed to higher levels of VOCs than they would typically be expected to encounter in most homes, occupations or urban environments. As a result, these workers frequently experience work-related health symptoms.</p>
<p>Our study measured 10 VOCs, including the carcinogens <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.03.086">benzene and formaldehyde</a>. We found that VOC levels in the six salons where we monitored regularly exceeded common threshold levels for <a href="https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/iris_drafts/atoz.cfm?list_type=alpha">odor and inhalation risk</a>. In some cases this posed a significant risk of cancer over a 20-year exposure period.</p>
<p>Twenty workers answered questionnaires about their personal health. Among them, 70% reported some form of short-term health symptom related to their employment, while 40% reported multiple related symptoms.</p>
<p>We worked closely with salon owners to enlist volunteer nail technicians to participate. Having owners’ support was instrumental, since it allowed salon workers to accurately report on their health and working conditions without fear of reprisal. </p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"311522432605372416"}"></div></p>
<h2>Like working at an oil refinery</h2>
<p>Many people view cosmetology as a relatively safe profession, but it isn’t. We found that exposures to aromatic hydrocarbons like benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes – collectively referred to as BTEX – resembled those previously reported in studies of <a href="https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Ambient-Air-Quality-Monitoring-in-Terms-of-Volatile-Singh-Ramteke/7089e7068ccb85bca9d05f36598e2b5fb92ae910">oil refinery workers</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10807031003670071">auto garage technicians</a>. </p>
<p>Our results aren’t unique. A 2018 Iranian study found similar concentrations of benzene, ethylbenzene, and xylene in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1186/s12995-018-0213-x">Tehran beauty salons</a>. Another study conducted that year in Michigan found concentrations of toluene at <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-018-1353-0">over 100 parts per billion</a>, which is roughly 30 times higher than <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/toluene.pdf">reported urban outdoor levels</a>.</p>
<p>Regulation of this kind of workplace exposure has not kept pace with science. Many U.S. occupational safety and health exposure limits have not been updated <a href="https://ohsonline.com/Articles/2014/12/01/Can-OSHA-Update-the-PELs.aspx">for nearly 50 years</a>. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, readily acknowledges that many of its permissible exposure limits are “<a href="https://www.osha.gov/dsg/annotated-pels/">outdated and inadequate</a> for ensuring protection of worker health.” </p>
<p>OSHA offers only guidance and recommendations for businesses, effectively shifting the burden of worker protection onto private industry. This is especially problematic in the nail salon industry, where over 90% of salons are small businesses that <a href="https://www.labor.ucla.edu/publication/nail-files/">employ fewer than 5 people</a> and do not have safety personnel on staff. </p>
<p>Inadequate cosmetic product regulations and labeling requirements make it hard to know which products are actually safe. A 2012 study by the California Environmental Protection Agency found that 10 out of 12 nail products labeled “toluene free” still contained <a href="https://dtsc.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2018/04/DTSC-Summary-of-Data-Findings-from-Testing-a-Limited-Number-of-Nail-Products-April-2012.pdf">up to 17% toluene</a>. Products labeled free of the so-called “toxic three” ingredients – dibutyl phthalate or DBP, toluene and formaldehyde – actually contained <a href="https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/nailsalons/chemicalhazards.html#resources">greater concentrations of DBP</a>, an endocrine-disrupting compound, than products that made no claims at all.</p>
<figure class="align-right zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/301604/original/file-20191113-77326-6pwnbo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/301604/original/file-20191113-77326-6pwnbo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/301604/original/file-20191113-77326-6pwnbo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=390&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/301604/original/file-20191113-77326-6pwnbo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=390&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/301604/original/file-20191113-77326-6pwnbo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=390&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/301604/original/file-20191113-77326-6pwnbo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=490&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/301604/original/file-20191113-77326-6pwnbo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=490&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/301604/original/file-20191113-77326-6pwnbo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=490&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Options for managing toxic exposures in the workplace.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hazardoustoxicsubstances/control.html">OSHA</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Solving the problem</h2>
<p>Owners often work in nail salons, so they generally support efforts to improve air quality inside their businesses. Those who we interviewed typically had some understanding of the problem and wanted to fix it, but didn’t always know how. </p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-05/documents/nailsalonguide.pdf">U.S. Environmental Protection Agency</a>, the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/99-112/pdfs/99-112.pdf?id=10.26616/NIOSHPUB99112">National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health</a> and <a href="https://www.osha.gov/Publications/3542nail-salon-workers-guide.pdf">OSHA</a> all publish healthy nail salon guides. Yet owners in our study had never heard of them – perhaps because the guides are only published in English, while many nail salon workers are Asian and Latino immigrants with limited English language skills.</p>
<p>Several grassroots community organizations have published guides to improving salons’ air quality in both <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5783e9b9be6594e480435ffe/t/58f447f903596ebd7ca8f6f3/1492404219566/Nail-Salon-Booklet-FINAL-Vietnamese-March-26-2014-adjusted-for-color-copier-and-single-pages.pdf">Vietnamese</a> and <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5783e9b9be6594e480435ffe/t/58f447e386e6c023e6aff51c/1492404197241/Chinese-FINAL-Version-2-2012.pdf">Chinese</a>. These references discuss ventilation and use of personal protective equipment, which are paramount for mitigating chemical exposures in the workplace. </p>
<p>Small changes, such as running ventilation continuously, wearing <a href="http://safety-zone.com/products/nitrile-gloves/">nitrile gloves</a> and utilizing proper <a href="https://www.firstaidglobal.com/product-page/carbon-filter-masks-n95-with-exhalation-valve">charcoal face masks</a>, can significantly reduce worker exposure. Results from <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2019.106499">our most recent study</a> also suggest that placing large activated carbon sinks in salons could effectively remove VOCs from the air. We are currently experimenting with embedding these chemical-absorbing materials into <a href="https://cen.acs.org/environment/pollution/Environmental-engineer-Lupita-Montoya-scrutinizes/97/i32">pieces of art</a> that can hang on salon walls.</p>
<p>Another priority is conveying information to larger audiences and advocating for more safety training in cosmetology certification programs. Education and training are particularly important for ethnic minority groups.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/299354/original/file-20191029-183151-1ouw8w0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/299354/original/file-20191029-183151-1ouw8w0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=419&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/299354/original/file-20191029-183151-1ouw8w0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=419&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/299354/original/file-20191029-183151-1ouw8w0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=419&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/299354/original/file-20191029-183151-1ouw8w0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=527&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/299354/original/file-20191029-183151-1ouw8w0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=527&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/299354/original/file-20191029-183151-1ouw8w0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=527&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Lan-Anh Truong, right, who owns a nail salon in Alameda County, California was honored in 2016 for her efforts in a grassroots campaign to improve conditions for workers.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Eric Risberg/AP</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Many workplace standards enforced by OSHA, such as those regulating exposure to toxic and hazardous substances, <a href="https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/nailsalons/standards.html">apply to nail salons</a>. However, cosmetic manufacturers are <a href="https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-laws-regulations/fda-authority-over-cosmetics-how-cosmetics-are-not-fda-approved-are-fda-regulated#Who_is_responsible">not required</a> to obtain federal approval for products or ingredients before they go on the market, or to file product information with the agency. </p>
<p>In contrast, California passed a bill in 2018 that will require manufacturers to <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180AB2775">provide ingredient labels</a> on any professional cosmetic products manufactured after July 1, 2020 and sold in the state. The campaign for this common-sense reform was largely led by advocacy groups like the <a href="https://cahealthynailsalons.org/">California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative</a>. Practical steps like this can improve conditions for workers who receive little attention but are exposed to serious health risks on the job every day.</p>
<p>[ <em>Deep knowledge, daily.</em> <a href="https://theconversation.com/us/newsletters?utm_source=TCUS&utm_medium=inline-link&utm_campaign=newsletter-text&utm_content=deepknowledge">Sign up for The Conversation’s newsletter</a>. ]</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/118152/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Lupita Montoya received funding from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and from the University of Colorado.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Aaron Lamplugh receives funding from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health</span></em></p>The technician who gave you that shiny manicure may be inhaling dangerous levels of toxic chemicals on the job.Lupita D. Montoya, Research Associate, Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering Department, University of Colorado BoulderAaron Lamplugh, Research Scientist, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado BoulderLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1264892019-11-07T19:03:31Z2019-11-07T19:03:31ZEngineered stone benchtops are killing our tradies. Here’s why a ban’s the only answer<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/300381/original/file-20191106-88403-1i4frk7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=6%2C7%2C1016%2C674&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">If we can't afford natural stone, like marble, it's tempting to choose engineered or artificial stone instead. But at what cost to those who breathe in the silica dust when cutting it?</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/happy-smiling-caucasian-family-kitchen-preparing-347647706">from www.shutterstock.com</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>The <a href="https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ohp-nat-dust-disease-taskforce.htm">National Dust Disease Taskforce</a> is preparing to read submissions next week on how best to handle the resurgence of the fatal lung disease silicosis. This can develop after breathing in silica dust when cutting artificial stone — also known as engineered, composite or manufactured stone — the type used for kitchen benchtops.</p>
<p>But this is not the first time we’ve been alerted to the long-term effects of exposure to hazardous dust. Think asbestos.</p>
<p>So what lessons can Australia learn from tackling asbestos to manage this latest preventable occupational hazard?</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/explainer-what-is-silicosis-and-why-is-this-old-lung-disease-making-a-comeback-80465">Explainer: what is silicosis and why is this old lung disease making a comeback?</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>We’ve known about hazardous dust at work for centuries</h2>
<p>Centuries ago, we recognised dust in mines badly damaged workers’ lungs. In 1713, Italian physician Bernardino Ramazzini <a href="https://www.ajconline.org/article/0002-9149(59)90174-2/pdf">wrote</a> how miners’ bodies:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>[…] are badly affected, the lungs especially since they take in with the air mineral spirits.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ajim.22528">More evidence</a> led to a 1930 conference in South Africa agreeing the lung disease silicosis was caused by silica dust. A few years later, the International Labour Organisation included silicosis in a list of diseases workers could be compensated for.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/black-lungs-back-how-we-became-complacent-with-coal-miners-pneumoconiosis-57718">Black lung's back? How we became complacent with coal miners' pneumoconiosis</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>Control measures to reduce the risk of silicosis were well-recognised even in the mid-1930s; <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hawks-Nest-Incident-Americas-Industrial/dp/0300035225">lawsuits were filed</a> against the Union Carbide company for not protecting construction workers. </p>
<p>At that time, breathing protection was fairly basic. But in the decades since then, <a href="https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/silica">we established</a> that any activity generating silica dust (such as cutting, blasting or grinding concrete or rock) needed water spray systems, extraction fans and respirators.</p>
<h2>The dangers of cutting engineered stone</h2>
<p>So how, in a country like Australia, do we suddenly see young workers dying of this completely preventable disease? </p>
<p>The cases seem to be arising from cutting artificial stone. This can contain up to 95% silica, <a href="https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/injury-prevention-safety/alerts/whsq/2018/prevent-exposure-to-silica-for-engineered-stone-benchtop-workers">compared with</a> less than 40% silica in natural stone.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/300387/original/file-20191106-88382-15fxzpd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/300387/original/file-20191106-88382-15fxzpd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/300387/original/file-20191106-88382-15fxzpd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/300387/original/file-20191106-88382-15fxzpd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/300387/original/file-20191106-88382-15fxzpd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/300387/original/file-20191106-88382-15fxzpd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/300387/original/file-20191106-88382-15fxzpd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/300387/original/file-20191106-88382-15fxzpd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Cutting engineered stone exposes workers to higher levels of silica dust than cutting natural stone.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/stone-cutting-tool-evening-1232151553">from www.shutterstock.com</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Cutting artificial stone has emerged as a major hazard. <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-16/silicosis-surge-prompts-call-for-ban-on-engineered-stone-product/11516138">The ABC reports</a> there have been 260 cases of silicosis in Australia, mostly in Queensland. </p>
<p>And there are likely to be more cases developing. <a href="https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/announcements/spotlight-silica-proactive-inspection-program">Regulators’</a> <a href="https://www.finance.nsw.gov.au/about-us/media-releases/nation-leading-program-fight-silicosis-0">responses</a> — proactively inspecting workplaces to see if they comply with safe work practices and issuing prohibition notices and fines to individual workplaces if not — are very welcome.</p>
<p>But these responses come too late for those hundreds of young workers who have lost their health, some of whom may die without a lung transplant.</p>
<h2>What can we learn from asbestos?</h2>
<p>We have been here before. Asbestos mining and manufacturing and the importation of asbestos products into Australia started in the 1880s. Over the next century, it developed into a major industry, peaking in the decades after the second world war.</p>
<p>Over the same time, medical knowledge about the diseases caused by asbestos was growing. The first recorded case of asbestosis (a progressive lung disease) was <a href="https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/100760626">described in London in 1906</a> (although, reports of ill health in asbestos workers had been reported <a href="https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/002130771">from as early as 1899</a>). </p>
<p>In 1928 the Journal of the American Medical Association <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/253232">published an editorial</a> on asbestosis. And, in Australia from 1945, standards for exposure to asbestos <a href="https://publishing.monash.edu/books/aa-9781925835618.html">were introduced</a> as controlling dust levels was thought the best way to prevent disease. </p>
<p>If Australia had stopped the use of asbestos in 1928, the ill health and death associated with asbestos would not be at levels we’ve seen since.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/health-harms-of-asbestos-wont-be-known-for-decades-14845">Health harms of asbestos won't be known for decades </a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>Instead, <a href="https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/system/files/documents/1702/literaturereview_airborneasbestosfibres_2008_pdf.pdf">Australia only stopped using</a> blue asbestos (the most carcinogenic form) in the late 1960s, brown asbestos (the next most carcinogenic) in the 1980s, and all asbestos in 2003.</p>
<p>By 2020, there will have been an estimated <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ajim.10047">18,000 cases of mesothelioma</a>, <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/bjc2011563">108,000 cases of lung cancer</a> and <a href="https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/asbestos-related-disease-indicators-2014">an unknown</a> but substantial number of cases of asbestosis in Australia.</p>
<h2>How best to protect workers?</h2>
<p>The standard response to the silicosis epidemic is that workers should use control measures and personal protection. However, there is <a href="https://academic.oup.com/annweh/article/59/1/122/2464381">increasing</a> <a href="https://oeh.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15459624.2013.789706">evidence</a> dust control measures do not reduce the levels of silica to non-hazardous levels. </p>
<p>Many companies also use a mixture of dry and wet cutting, particularly when installing the products. As with asbestos, there simply is no way to safely use this material.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/dying-for-work-the-changing-face-of-work-related-injuries-40328">Dying for work: the changing face of work-related injuries</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>We need to go back to the basics of occupational health — <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hierarchy_of_hazard_controls">the hierarchy of control</a>. This means, if there is a hazard, we first see if we can eliminate it by banning the dangerous product.</p>
<p>This basic principle, taught to all occupational health and safety professionals, seems to have been forgotten for silica. For example, SafeWork Australia does not mention elimination in its online information on controlling <a href="https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/silica">silica</a>, although it does mention substitution with products containing lower levels of silica.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.breathefreelyaustralia.org.au/">Breathe Freely Australia</a> public health campaign, <a href="https://www.breathefreelyaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/bf-cmt-Hiearchy-of-Control.pdf">notes</a> elimination:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>[…] is the preferred method of control as it completely eliminates the hazard, but unfortunately it is not often feasible. </p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Yes, a ban is feasible</h2>
<p>We argue it is feasible to ban artificial stone, which is not made in Australia but imported. There are many alternatives, such as natural stone, or <a href="https://www.bettastone.com.au/">Betta Stone</a> made from recycled glass.</p>
<p>The National Dust Disease Taskforce is <a href="https://consultations.health.gov.au/ohp-regulatory-policy-branch/national-dust-disease-taskforce/">taking submissions</a> until November 11, 2019.</p>
<p>We suggest:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>a total ban on importing, making and using engineered stone with a crystalline silica content of more than 80%</p></li>
<li><p>immediate regulation (in every jurisdiction) banning dry cutting, grinding or polishing of all artificial stone</p></li>
<li><p>a reduction of the workplace exposure standard for respiratory crystalline silica to half current levels by January 2020 (from 0.10mg/m³ to 0.05mg/m³). Disappointingly, a recent SafeWork Australia meeting rejected the opportunity to reduce the level to 0.02mg/m³.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>It took 70 years for Australia to ban all forms of asbestos. We need to learn from that disaster and immediately ban artificial stone. We just can’t continue to let young Australian workers die just so we can have cheap, fashionable kitchens.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/126489/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Lin Fritschi is a member of the Occupational and Environmental Cancer Subcommittee for Cancer Council Australia. She is also an expert member on the Western Australian Commission for Occupational Safety and Health. She has made a submission to the National Dust Disease Taskforce. The opinions expressed are her own.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Alison Reid will be making a submission to the National Dust Disease Taskforce.
</span></em></p>What lessons can Australia learn from tackling asbestos to manage this latest preventable occupational hazard?Lin Fritschi, Professor of Epidemiology, Curtin UniversityAlison Reid, Associate Professor, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Curtin UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1222732019-08-27T01:52:42Z2019-08-27T01:52:42ZWhat Tim Fischer’s cancer tells us about the impact of Agent Orange on other Vietnam veterans<p><a href="https://pressfrom.info/au/news/australia/-142267-former-deputy-prime-minister-tim-fischer-73-is-gravely-ill-in-hospital-with-acute-leukaemia-just-months-after-saying-he-was-almost-in-remission.html">Much loved</a> former deputy prime minister Tim Fischer, who died last week from leukaemia, has talked about the possible link between his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam and his various cancers. </p>
<p>Mr Fischer had <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/former-deputy-prime-minister-tim-fischer-73-is-gravely-ill-in-hospital-with-acute-leukaemia-just-months-after-saying-he-was-almost-in-remission/ar-AAG24NI">reportedly</a> been dealing with cancer for the past ten years, starting with bladder cancer, then prostate cancer, two melanomas, and finally, a blood cancer called <a href="https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/acute-myeloid-leukaemia/">acute myeloid leukaemia</a>.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/tim-fischer-a-man-of-courage-and-loyalty-dies-from-cancer-122188">Tim Fischer – a man of courage and loyalty – dies from cancer</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>While his is a classic instance of the challenge in definitively linking a specific exposure to a specific cancer, Mr Fischer <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-12/former-deputy-pm-tim-fischer-proud-of-autistic-son-harrison/10312854">told the ABC TV’s Australian Story last year</a>, “at least one specialist has suggested my immunity broke down a lot more quickly as a direct consequence” of exposure to Agent Orange. </p>
<p>Fischer’s death is a timely reminder of the long-term implications of Agent Orange to our Vietnam veterans and the many other hazards to which defence force personnel, and other Australian workers, are exposed.</p>
<h2>What is Agent Orange and how does it affect your health?</h2>
<p><a href="https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/history/conflicts/australia-and-vietnam-war/events/aftermath/agent-orange">Agent Orange</a> was a mixture of two herbicides, 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T, and kerosene or diesel fuel. Each herbicide contained small amounts of dioxin, a highly toxic and carcinogenic compound. </p>
<p>US aerial spraying of jungle aimed to expose Viet Cong and North Vietnamese troops who sheltered under the jungle’s thick canopy. It also sought to destroy “the enemy’s” food crops.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/289346/original/file-20190826-170910-d7sc7u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/289346/original/file-20190826-170910-d7sc7u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/289346/original/file-20190826-170910-d7sc7u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=409&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/289346/original/file-20190826-170910-d7sc7u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=409&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/289346/original/file-20190826-170910-d7sc7u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=409&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/289346/original/file-20190826-170910-d7sc7u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=514&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/289346/original/file-20190826-170910-d7sc7u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=514&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/289346/original/file-20190826-170910-d7sc7u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=514&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">US Army spraying Agent Orange in Vietnam.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Agent_Orange#/media/File:US-Army-APC-spraying-Agent-Orange-in-Vietnam.jpg">Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr. Collection: Agent Orange Subject Files, The Vietnam Archive, Texas Tech University</a></span>
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</figure>
<p>Some 60,000 Australians served in <a href="https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/event/vietnam">Vietnam</a> between 1962 and 1975. There were 521 Australian deaths and 3,000 wounded in the conflict. But the damage did not stop there. </p>
<p>Concerns about the effect of Agent Orange on Vietnam veterans emerged in the 1970s. A 1985 <a href="https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/from-the-archives-royal-commission-findings-clear-agent-orange-20190805-p52e0d.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed">Australian Royal Commission</a> recognised Agent Orange’s adverse health effects but could not find a definitive link to cancer in the veterans. It did, however, leave the door open to further investigation.</p>
<p>In 1991, the United States congress passed the <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/agent-orange-act-was-supposed-to-help-vietnam-veterans-but-many-still-dont-">Agent Orange Act</a>, which required a report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, updated every two years, of Agent Orange’s health effects. </p>
<p>The most recent <a href="https://www.nap.edu/catalog/25137/veterans-and-agent-orange-update-11-2018">report</a> from 2018, the 11th in the series, lists diseases that are clearly associated with exposure to this herbicidal chemical cocktail. This <a href="https://www.nap.edu/resource/25137/111318_VAO_summary_table.pdf">includes cancers</a> such as soft tissue sarcoma, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, as well as hypertension (high blood pressure). </p>
<p>Another 12 conditions including prostate and bladder cancer have “limited or suggestive evidence of association” with Agent Orange.</p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/what-can-go-wrong-in-the-blood-a-brief-overview-of-bleeding-clotting-and-cancer-76400">What can go wrong in the blood? A brief overview of bleeding, clotting and cancer</a>
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<p>The US Department of Veterans Affairs also <a href="https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/birth-defects/children-women-vietnam-vets.asp">recognises</a> more than 18 birth defects among the children of mothers who served in the military in Vietnam. These conditions have been linked to the birth mother’s service in Vietnam and not specifically to exposure to Agent Orange or a specific component of it.</p>
<h2>Exposure to cancer-causing agents at work</h2>
<p>Too many Australians are exposed to to cancer- and other disease-causing agents at work. </p>
<p>But the longer the time between exposure and the occurrence of a related health problem, the harder it is to establish any causation link, and then to respond constructively. </p>
<p>When it comes to occupational cancers more broadly, we have taken action on asbestos, but <a href="http://www.phrp.com.au/issues/april-2016-volume-26-issue-2/asbestos-related-mesothelioma-in-australia-cresting-the-third-wave/">more cases of cancer and lung disease</a> are likely to emerge in future. </p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/why-the-health-threat-from-asbestos-is-not-a-thing-of-the-past-52060">Why the health threat from asbestos is not a thing of the past</a>
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<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/289348/original/file-20190826-170922-jukr6q.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/289348/original/file-20190826-170922-jukr6q.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/289348/original/file-20190826-170922-jukr6q.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=452&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/289348/original/file-20190826-170922-jukr6q.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=452&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/289348/original/file-20190826-170922-jukr6q.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=452&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/289348/original/file-20190826-170922-jukr6q.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=569&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/289348/original/file-20190826-170922-jukr6q.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=569&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/289348/original/file-20190826-170922-jukr6q.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=569&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">James Hardie and Wunderlich float ready for the Victory Day procession in Brisbane, 1946. The float is advertising asbestos cement.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?search=james+hardie+asbestos&title=Special%3ASearch&go=Go&ns0=1&ns6=1&ns12=1&ns14=1&ns100=1&ns106=1#/media/File:StateLibQld_2_152895_James_Hardie_and_Wunderlich_float_ready_for_the_Victory_Day_procession_in_Brisbane,_1946.jpg">John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland</a></span>
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</figure>
<p>There is much more work to be done on other occupational health issues such as <a href="https://theconversation.com/explainer-what-is-silicosis-and-why-is-this-old-lung-disease-making-a-comeback-80465">silica dust</a> which can enter the lungs of joiners making kitchen benchtops from stone, causing silicosis, a type of lung disease. </p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/explainer-what-is-silicosis-and-why-is-this-old-lung-disease-making-a-comeback-80465">Explainer: what is silicosis and why is this old lung disease making a comeback?</a>
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</em>
</p>
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<h2>Specific hazards for defence personnel</h2>
<p>Defence force personnel are exposed to many more hazards in the course of their employment. </p>
<p>Death in battle, or in the course of <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/australian-soldier-dies-during-routine-training-drill-at-army-base-in-victoria-s-north-20190116-p50rlt.html">training</a>, are stark realities. </p>
<p>Exposure to physical, chemical and biological hazards is also greater than it is, on average, in civilian life.</p>
<p>Returned service personnel must also face the prospect of long-term health problems from exposures in their distant past, such as from nuclear radiation during <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10953817">nuclear weapons testing</a>. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/289350/original/file-20190826-170941-1ucn2hg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/289350/original/file-20190826-170941-1ucn2hg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/289350/original/file-20190826-170941-1ucn2hg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=315&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/289350/original/file-20190826-170941-1ucn2hg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=315&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/289350/original/file-20190826-170941-1ucn2hg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=315&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/289350/original/file-20190826-170941-1ucn2hg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=396&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/289350/original/file-20190826-170941-1ucn2hg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=396&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/289350/original/file-20190826-170941-1ucn2hg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=396&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Defence force personnel were exposed to cancer-causing radiation in the 50s and early 60s.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Operation_Crossroads_Baker_Edit.jpg">United States Department of Defense</a></span>
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<p>Nuclear radiation is known to cause cancer; Australian defence force and related staff were <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10953817">measurably exposed</a> during the conduct of these tests from <a href="https://www.dva.gov.au/factsheet-dp83-british-nuclear-test-participants-and-members-british-commonwealth-occupation-force">1952 to 1965</a>. </p>
<p>Tim Fischer’s commitment to help those who have, or may have, suffered long-term health consequences of their defence force experience should drive our efforts to openly, systematically and fairly address these issues.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/122273/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Terry Slevin is Chief Executive Office of the Public Health Association of Australia, which receives funding from the Commonwealth Department of Health. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Bruce Armstrong does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>More than 500 Australians died in the Vietnam war and 3,000 were wounded, but the damage from Agent Orange was much more far-reaching, as Tim Fischer’s death last week reminded us.Terry Slevin, Adjunct Professor, School of Psychology, Curtin University and College of Health and Medicine, Australian National UniversityBruce Armstrong, Professor of Public Health, University of SydneyLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1209132019-08-12T14:20:39Z2019-08-12T14:20:39ZSouth Africa’s construction industry could become safer. Here’s how<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/285516/original/file-20190724-110158-1w5wz55.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Construction workers in Cape Town. It's a dangerous job.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Nic Bothma/EPA</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>Construction is tough, sometimes dangerous work. Globally, the construction industry accounts for <a href="https://ascelibrary.org/doi/full/10.1061/%28ASCE%29CO.1943-7862.0000482?src=recsys">about 7%</a> of employment. But it’s responsible for between <a href="https://ascelibrary.org/doi/full/10.1061/%28ASCE%29CO.1943-7862.0000482?src=recsys">30% and 40%</a> of all work-related fatalities. The figure is at its highest in developing countries. This is because contractor organisations in those countries tend to lack a safety culture. Health and management systems are also less robust there than in developed nations.</p>
<p>This is obviously a huge problem. First, of course, there’s the loss of human life. But there’s an economic effect too. Accidents disrupt site activities. Projects can then run behind schedule, leading to cost overruns. This affects productivity and the industry’s reputation as a whole.</p>
<p>In South Africa, the construction industry accounts for around <a href="http://www.cidb.org.za/publications/Documents/Construction%20Monitor%20-%20October%202018.pdf">8%</a> of total formal employment and around <a href="http://www.cidb.org.za/publications/Documents/Construction%20Monitor%20-%20October%202018.pdf">17%</a> of total informal employment. It is also the <a href="http://www.cidb.org.za/publications/Documents/Construction%20Health%20and%20Safety%20in%20South%20Africa.pdf">third most dangerous</a> sector for workers after the transportation and fishing industries.</p>
<p>In a recent <a href="https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/105803">study</a>, I tried to find out why health and safety performance is not up to standard in South Africa’s construction industry. I looked at how contractor organisations manage health and safety. I also compared the effectiveness of different management arrangements. This is important: there’s no uniformity around health and safety management programmes and practices within the construction industry.</p>
<p>What emerged was that health and safety management within the construction industry has not developed at the same pace as in other industries. Additionally, it hasn’t kept up with technological advances like robotics, 3D printing and data analytics. These innovative technologies have been well adopted by the automobile and manufacturing industries – and have reduced employees’ exposure to dangerous tasks.</p>
<p>However, in a country beset by <a href="https://mg.co.za/article/2019-08-05-unemployment-in-south-africa-is-worse-than-you-think">high unemployment</a> and inequality, automation can be a sensitive subject.</p>
<p>Another problem I found is that legislation governing health and safety management in the construction industry focuses on individual projects. It doesn’t place any obligation on contractors to implement health and safety management systems, nor to maintain these competencies within their organisations in the long-term. </p>
<h2>Several problems</h2>
<p>One of the issues I identified was how South Africa’s medium and large contractor organisations manage their own health and safety systems. In some cases, they outsource this work to health and safety management consultants who provide advisory and administrative support. But such arrangements focus on legislative compliance. They don’t do much to drive continuous improvement in the organisation’s health and safety performance.</p>
<p>In other instances, safety management happens internally through contractors’ own organisational structures. This approach also has many problems. Companies just don’t allocate enough resources for proactive health and safety management. Accountability mechanisms are few and far between. There aren’t many incentives for employees to get involved in health and safety management activities. Health and safety training aren’t a priority, either.</p>
<p>Some of the other issues I identified related to the business environment. These included the widespread practice of subcontracting and price-based competition. Both have a negative effect on the industry’s safety performance.</p>
<p>There are critical deficiencies in the management of subcontractors. And the absence of a uniform basis for costing health and safety when tendering for a project means that contractors often under-budget for this crucial aspect of their work.</p>
<p>The country also doesn’t have enough suitably qualified health and safety professionals who are registered with the <a href="http://sacpcmp.org.za/">South African Council for Project and Construction Management Profession</a>. This body is statutorily mandated to regulate the practice of health and safety professionals within the construction industry. I was told by several interviewees that there just aren’t enough registered health and safety professionals for the number of ongoing construction projects. </p>
<p>So how can the country’s construction industry become a safer place to work in?</p>
<h2>Potential solutions</h2>
<p>First, specific policies are needed that will improve health and safety leadership by top management, safety professionals and operational managers within contractor organisations. Policies like this should provide guidance on the minimal requirement for systematic health and safety management to be voluntarily adopted by contractors. The country could draw from the European Union’s <a href="https://osha.europa.eu/en/legislation/directives/the-osh-framework-directive/1">framework directive</a> on occupational health and safety.</p>
<p>There should also be an industry-wide framework for pricing the cost of health and safety. Employer associations such as the <a href="https://www.safcec.org.za/">South African Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors</a> and the <a href="https://www.masterbuilders.org.za/">Master Builders Association</a> should collaborate with industry regulators and clients’ organisations to develop a framework for the just and efficient costing of health and safety management requirements in tender documents. </p>
<p>Subcontractor organisations should provide for the cost of health and safety management in their rates to principal contractors. They should also employ the services of a full-time health and safety management professional. Studies have found that several functions performed by such internal safety professionals promote <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022437510000794?via%3Dihub">safety culture within organisations</a>.</p>
<p>Stakeholders like the Department of Labour, employer associations, labour unions, tertiary institutions and industry bodies will need to come together to address the lack of suitably qualified and registered health and safety professionals. These bodies can facilitate the necessary training and accreditation to meet the construction industry’s needs. </p>
<p>Organisations which regulate the construction industry and labour unions must also work to limit the number of precarious short-term employment contracts within the industry.</p>
<h2>Effective interventions</h2>
<p>There’s also a lot of work to be done by principal contractors. These organisations need to introduce mechanisms that will manage their subcontractors’ health and safety more efficiently.</p>
<p>Such mechanisms need to do two things. First, they must satisfy legislation mandated documentation and audits. Second, they must track and demand demonstrated improvements in health and safety performance. </p>
<p>Contractor organisations should also have an annual budget that funds proactive health and safety management interventions.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/120913/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Patrick Nwabueze Okonkwo does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>There’s no uniformity around health and safety management programmes and practices within the construction industry.Patrick Nwabueze Okonkwo, Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Stellenbosch UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1213012019-08-02T05:33:05Z2019-08-02T05:33:05ZBeefing up security isn’t the only way to make hospitals safer<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/286679/original/file-20190802-169696-o41wvb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Specially trained hospital security guards are only part of the solution to making health-care workers and their patients feel safe.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/security-guard-controlling-indoor-entrance-gate-212528509?src=Z68NaKy0YlnsjELq9SZkMQ-1-2&studio=1">from www.shutterstock.com</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Yesterday’s <a href="https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6304366/nsw-hospital-workers-strike-over-safety/">strike by NSW hospital staff</a> over security concerns has highlighted just how serious the issue of workplace violence has become for health-care workers.</p>
<p>The Health Services Union, whose members include administration, cleaning and security staff, as well as paramedics and other health professionals, <a href="https://www.goulburnpost.com.au/story/6279463/hospital-workers-demand-more-security/">has reportedly called for</a> measures including 250 more security guards across the state to better protect workers.</p>
<p>But tackling the growing problems of violence in our hospitals is about more than beefing up security numbers. Violence in our health-care system is also not limited to inner city hospitals, and it doesn’t just affect staff in emergency departments.</p>
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<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/i-was-stabbed-14-times-at-the-hospital-where-i-work-i-survived-but-not-everyone-is-so-lucky-82824">I was stabbed 14 times at the hospital where I work. I survived, but not everyone is so lucky</a>
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<h2>How big a problem is violence in our hospitals?</h2>
<p>The levels of violence in hospitals have been <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-11/rates-of-violence-against-nurses-rising-rapildy/11196716">steadily increasing</a> across Australia. </p>
<p>For example, in NSW there was <a href="https://www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au/Documents/CJB/cjb116.pdf">a 50% increase</a> in the number of police-recorded assaults on hospital premises between 1996 and 2006. This number has <a href="https://www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au/Pages/bocsar_pages/Assaults-on-hospital-premises.aspx">continued to rise</a> with an average increase of 5.8% a year between 2010 and 2015. In Western Australia, there was a <a href="https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2019/06/Summit-to-crack-down-on-violence-against-health-staff.aspx">38% increase in assaults</a> on nurses between 2017 and 2018.</p>
<p>Patients are the main source of this violence, and this includes the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1755599X12000997">parents of children</a> admitted to hospital.</p>
<p>Violence against health-care workers is also recognised internationally. The World Health Organisation sees it as a <a href="https://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/violence/workplace/en/">significant issue</a>. And a US government report says many health-care workers see it <a href="https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hospitals/documents/1.2_Factbook_508.pdf">as an inevitable part of their job</a>.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/a-soldier-and-a-sex-worker-walk-into-a-therapists-office-whos-more-likely-to-have-ptsd-71464">A soldier and a sex worker walk into a therapist’s office. Who's more likely to have PTSD?</a>
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<p>Media attention is often focused on high-risk areas like the emergency department and mental health settings. However, <a href="https://www.nswnma.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Violence-in-Nursing-and-Midwifery-in-NSW.pdf">violence occurs everywhere in the health-care system</a>, from the community to hospital wards, even birthing suites.</p>
<p>The impact of violence on health-care staff includes physical and psychological reactions. Symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder such as sleeplessness, nightmares and flashbacks <a href="https://oem.bmj.com/content/61/6/495.short">have been reported</a> and can persist for up to 12 months.</p>
<p>Violence towards health-care staff has <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0277953600001465">also been linked to</a> perceived poorer patient care.</p>
<h2>Where do security guards fit in?</h2>
<p>Rising levels of violence against health-care workers suggest current security measures are not a sufficient deterrent.</p>
<p>Despite union calls for more security guards, <a href="https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Hospitals/securityreview/Documents/pa-interim-report.pdf">an interim report</a> NSW Health commissioned looking at how to improve hospital security did not recommend this.</p>
<p>But an increase in security guards is warranted when you consider that some rural and regional hospitals have minimal, or no security presence; staff in these facilities <a href="https://www.nswnma.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Violence-in-Nursing-and-Midwifery-in-NSW.pdf">have to rely on the police</a> for help if they encounter a violent patient.</p>
<p>In fact, staff in regional and remote areas <a href="https://www.nswnma.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Violence-in-Nursing-and-Midwifery-in-NSW.pdf">experience the same levels of violence</a> as their metropolitan colleagues.</p>
<p>A NSW Health spokesperson says the author of its hospital security report is visiting hospitals in rural and regional areas to understand their security challenges and this information will be included in the final report, due by the end of the year.</p>
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<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/the-problems-with-australias-hospitals-and-how-they-can-be-fixed-54248">The problems with Australia's hospitals – and how they can be fixed</a>
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<p>While an added security presence may be warranted in some circumstances, more security guards would not impact staff working outside hospitals, including paramedics and community nurses.</p>
<p>Then there’s the quality of security guards. Health is a unique environment where traditional security measures <a href="https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:15866?view=null&f0=sm_identifier%3A%22http%3A%2F%2Fhdl.handle.net%2F1959.13%2F1055325%22&sort=ss_dateNormalized+desc%2Csort_ss_title+asc">can be counter-productive</a>. For instance, if guards use inappropriate communication when people are anxious and stressed they can increase the chance of a situation escalating.</p>
<p>What’s needed are specially trained health security guards, working with doctors and nurses, as part of a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23142097">multidisciplinary rapid response team</a>. This doctor-led team would be called in to manage violent behaviour, for instance to “take down” a violent patient.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/alcohol-leads-to-more-violence-than-other-drugs-but-youd-never-know-from-the-headlines-72281">Alcohol leads to more violence than other drugs, but you'd never know from the headlines</a>
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<p>The Health Services Union has <a href="https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6306533/nsw-hospital-workers-strike-over-security/?cs=14231">reportedly called on</a> the NSW government to commit A$50 million for a proactive security team at hospitals, including staff trained in mental health, drug and alcohol abuse. </p>
<p>This makes sense as patients under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, including ice, and those with mental health issues, are the ones <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318333314_Antecedents_and_precipitants_of_patient-related_violence_in_the_emergency_department_Results_from_the_Australian_VENT_Study_Violence_in_Emergency_Nursing_and_Triage">most likely to be violent</a>.</p>
<h2>It’s not just about emergency departments</h2>
<p>A spokesperson for NSW Health says A$19 million has been invested to improve security in emergency departments at public hospitals, and more than A$5 million to upgrade duress alarms for staff in emergency departments.</p>
<p>However violence in health care extends beyond the emergency department to all clinical specialities and beyond the walls of a hospital.</p>
<p>In a <a href="https://www.nswnma.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Violence-in-Nursing-and-Midwifery-in-NSW.pdf">recent study</a> of NSW nurses and midwives, staff discussed the physical design and layout of wards, and areas that should be secure but aren’t, as reasons they felt unsafe at work. </p>
<p>In particular, they described feeling unsafe returning to the car park in the dark, often with no security personnel present and in poorly lit conditions. Lack of duress alarms, poor placement of duress alarms or non-functioning duress alarms were also an issue.</p>
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<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/violence-against-nurses-is-on-the-rise-but-protections-remain-weak-76019">Violence against nurses is on the rise, but protections remain weak</a>
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<h2>Time for governments to act</h2>
<p>The <a href="https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Hospitals/securityreview/Documents/pa-interim-report.pdf">NSW interim report</a> into hospital security acknowledges some shortcomings in the current management of violence in health care and as such is a positive step in reducing the risk to staff. </p>
<p>However, the persistent nature and increasing levels of the violence mean that the state government needs to prioritise the safety of all health-care staff.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/121301/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Jacqui Pich does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Security guards won’t protect paramedics and community nurses from violent patients. And in hospital, some security guards can unwittingly escalate violence, unless they’re specially trained.Jacqui Pich, Lecturer in Nursing, University of Technology SydneyLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1073552019-02-11T19:14:49Z2019-02-11T19:14:49ZKilled in the line of work duties: we need to fix dangerous loopholes in health and safety laws<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/256234/original/file-20190130-108364-1236fd0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Why welding in a confined space is so dangerous: argon gas, used commonly in welding, is 38% denser than air. It can displace oxygen close to the ground. Being undetectable, this can lead to loss of consciousness and asphyxiation.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>Dillon Wu died alone inside a metal tank. It is believed he was asphyxiated by argon gas, used in arc-welding steel.</p>
<p>He is the youngest employee to die in a recent run of deaths in confined spaces.
Aged just 20, he was in the second week of his apprenticeship. He should not have been alone or unsupervised, particularly in a confined space. </p>
<p>All such deaths raise questions about workplace safety. But Wu’s death, at a factory in Melbourne’s western suburbs on October 4 last year, also raises particular questions about responsibility in workplaces where traditional definitions of employment and employer obligations have been unwound.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/dying-for-work-the-changing-face-of-work-related-injuries-40328">Dying for work: the changing face of work-related injuries</a>
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<p>Wu’s apprenticeship was with Australian Industry Group (Ai Group or AiG) but he died at the Melbourne factory of “host employer” Marshall Lethlean Industries. </p>
<p>Both federal and state workplace health and safety laws say responsibility for a worker’s death lies with an employer. Four months on from Wu’s death no one has accepted that responsibility. </p>
<h2>Prior safety concerns</h2>
<p>The Australian Industry Group (AiG) is an employer organisation representing more than 60,000 businesses employing more than a million workers. It runs a major training and apprenticeship scheme (called the AiGTS) for its member organisations. It recruits, trains and pays apprentices, who learn their trades working at “host” companies. </p>
<p>One of those is Marshall Lethlean Industries, which builds and repairs road tankers to transport milk, oil, gases and the like. </p>
<p>AiG says the health and safety of apprentices and trainees “is <a href="https://www.aigroupapprentices.com.au/apprentices/safety-info-and-policies">our highest priority</a> at all times”. But Wu’s death raises questions about the effectiveness of this commitment in practice. </p>
<p>Even before he died, AiG had reason to be concerned about safety at the Marshall Lethlean factory. The ABC Investigations unit obtained a copy of a safety audit conducted by AiG at the factory about a month before Wu began working there. That audit identified 11 high-priority safety hazards, including the <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-14/ai-group-apprentice-dillon-wu-dies-in-unsafe-worksite/10429356">lack of procedures for staff working in confined spaces</a>.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/256241/original/file-20190130-108355-1m0tfud.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/256241/original/file-20190130-108355-1m0tfud.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/256241/original/file-20190130-108355-1m0tfud.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/256241/original/file-20190130-108355-1m0tfud.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/256241/original/file-20190130-108355-1m0tfud.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/256241/original/file-20190130-108355-1m0tfud.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/256241/original/file-20190130-108355-1m0tfud.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">The type of tank Dillon Wu was left alone in to weld at Marshall Lethlean.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.amwu.org.au/vic">AMWU</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/">CC BY-NC-SA</a></span>
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<p>AiG’s chief executive, Innes Willox, has downplayed any organisational culpability in sending Wu to work at a site with known dangers. The safety hazards identified by the audit, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-15/worksafe-inspector-visited-factory-minutes-before-dillon-wu-died/10472368">he said</a>, would be common in most workplaces: “All our indications were and continue to be that it was a safe place of work, but what occurred was a terrible tragedy, the details of which we don’t know.”</p>
<p>Wu’s death is being investigated by Worksafe Victoria. The agency is not well resourced and its investigations are routinely very slow. So its report could take months or even years. </p>
<p>Until then, it is unlikely either AiG or Marshall Lethlean will take responsibility. AiG, despite being Wu’s direct employer, has so far said it cannot be responsible for answering any questions. AiG had “very limited information relating to the circumstances of Dillon’s passing,” it <a href="https://safetyatworkblog.com/2018/11/14/ai-group-responds-to-media-report-on-apprentices-death/">said in a statement</a>. “We have sought this information from Marshall Lethlean Industries, however it has not been forthcoming.” </p>
<p>Marshall Lethlean, meanwhile, has made no public statements.</p>
<h2>Agreement, but only in principle</h2>
<p>The issue of workplace deaths was investigated by a recent <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Education_and_Employment/IndustrialdeathsinAus">Senate committee inquiry</a>, which issued its <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Education_and_Employment/IndustrialdeathsinAus/Report">report</a> less than two weeks after Dillon’s death.</p>
<p>One problem the report highlights is the need for more clarity and consistency in work health and safety laws. </p>
<p>Workplace health and safety regulation in Australia is a hotch-potch. Constitutionally the power to make such laws rests with the states and territories. Each has developed its own standards. </p>
<p>Governments, state regulatory agencies, employer organisations and unions all agree, at least in principle, on the need for greater consistency – a process known as harmonisation. In practice, however, there is disagreement on what the benchmark standards should be. </p>
<p>An example is what penalties should be imposed on negligent employers.</p>
<p>Queensland has the most severe penalties as a result of its “industrial manslaughter” law. The new law was passed in 2017, following some grievous workplace deaths. It makes employing organisations and individual senior officers of those organisations liable for workplace deaths through omission or fault. Penalties include fines up to A$10 million or even prison. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/why-industrial-manslaughter-laws-are-unlikely-to-save-lives-in-the-workplace-97459">Why industrial manslaughter laws are unlikely to save lives in the workplace</a>
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<p>In most states, employer failure is dealt with under criminal legislation where penalties are lower (maximum A$3 million) and legal processes less onerous for employers </p>
<p>The Senate committee inquiry has recommended the Queensland legislation become the national benchmark. Employer groups including the AiG strongly opposed this. So too did the four Coalition members of the Senate inquiry. In a dissenting report <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Education_and_Employment/IndustrialdeathsinAus/Report/section?id=committees%2freportsen%2f024170%2f26691">they expressed concern</a> that such laws “would expose employers and managers to the risk of lengthy prison terms even where they are unjustly accused of being responsible for incidents in the workplace”. </p>
<h2>Who is responsible must be clear</h2>
<p>But what penalties should apply is moot if laws provide no clarity on who can be held accountable as the employer. </p>
<p>There is a pressing need to define employer responsibility when there is a “triangulated” employment relationship – such as between a worker, labour hire organisation and a host employer. </p>
<p>There have been cases in Australia where the labour hire company <a href="https://www1.hays.com.au/HaysOnline/Help/Labour_hire-Duties_of_PCBU.pdf">has been deemed the employer</a>. But in other cases the host organisation <a href="https://www1.hays.com.au/HaysOnline/Help/Labour_hire-Duties_of_PCBU.pdf">has been deemed the employer</a>. </p>
<p>This is an area where unions have rightly been calling for greater clarity and specificity.</p>
<p>Current legislation appears to give both shared and non-delegable responsibility. But the lack of clarity about who is responsible for what has created the very real danger that either will leave it to the other to take full responsibility in ensuring workers are kept safe. </p>
<p>We don’t need the conclusions of the Worksafe Victoria investigation into Dillon Wu’s death to tell us that. </p>
<p>The grief of his family, left without answers or acknowledgement of an employer’s responsibility, makes that point clear enough.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/107355/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Diana Kelly does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>The death of apprentice Dillon Wu at a Melbourne factory raises questions about employer responsibility when a traditional employment relationship doesn’t exist.Diana Kelly, Associate Professor, School of History and Politics, University of WollongongLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1083802019-01-22T21:27:40Z2019-01-22T21:27:40ZWomen four times more likely to experience sexual assault at work<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/254879/original/file-20190122-100295-1q5z9ap.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">For women who work in education, the risks of workplace violence are especially high. New research shows rates of assaults have more than doubled between 2002 and 2015. </span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">(Shutterstock)</span></span></figcaption></figure><p><a href="http://www.divxy123.ca/ReportBuilder2017/Pages/report_builder.php">Violence-related injuries at work are on the rise</a> across Canada and this is especially the case for women, according to two recent studies we conducted at the not-for-profit Institute for Work and Health. </p>
<p>We found that women are four times more likely than men to experience sexual assault or unwanted touching on the job, no matter what occupation or industry they work in. </p>
<p>Women are also 13 per cent more likely than men to be physically assaulted at work — a difference largely explained by the sectors women tend to work in. </p>
<p>Finally, we also found that differences between men and women in the risk of violence at work have changed over time.</p>
<h2>Physical violence related to industry</h2>
<p>In the first study, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/annweh/wxy066">our team examined data</a> from two cycles of Statistics Canada’s General Social Survey on Victimization (from 2009 and 2014). </p>
<p>A total sample of 27,500 working respondents were asked whether they had experienced assault at work in the previous 12 months. This included physical assault (“anything from being hit, slapped, grabbed or knocked down, to being shot or beaten”) and sexual assault (“forced sexual activity and unwanted sexual touching or grabbing”).</p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1087329255564996608"}"></div></p>
<p>Out of every 1,000 female workers, 14 reported being assaulted in the past year. For every 1,000 male workers, eight reported being assaulted. The higher risk among women was largely due to sexual assault.</p>
<p>In terms of physical assault, the risk was 13 per cent higher for women than for men; 7.7 women per 1,000 women and 6.8 men per 1,000 men reported being physically assaulted in the previous year. </p>
<p>This difference in risks of physical violence at work faced by men and women can be mostly explained by differences in the types of work they do. That is, if men and women are doing the same shifts in the same job in most industries (not all), neither are more at risk than the other. The female security guard working nights in a building complex faces the same risk of physical assault as her male colleague doing that job the next night.</p>
<p>However, differences in the types of work men and women do are deeply entrenched in the Canadian labour market; many occupations and industries in Canada are still as <a href="https://www.iwh.on.ca/newsletters/at-work/78/iwh-to-explore-how-work-affects-health-of-women-and-men-differently">segregated on the basis of sex and gender</a> today as they were 20 years ago. </p>
<p>As a result, we still need to contend with gender imbalances in the risks of physical violence when thinking about workplace violence prevention.</p>
<h2>Men are mostly the perpetrators</h2>
<p>It’s a different story when it comes to sexual violence at work. Type of work does not explain the large differences between women and men: 6.7 women and 1.6 men per 1,000 workers reported being sexually assaulted at work in the previous year. </p>
<p>Women were four times more likely than men to experience sexual assault or unwanted touching on the job, no matter their occupation or industry.</p>
<p>In the vast majority of cases, men (whether clients, customers, patients, strangers or work colleagues) are the perpetrators of workplace violence. </p>
<p>Among the overall rate of 11 assaults per 1,000 workers — both physical and sexual against both men and women — nine are committed by men and only two by women. </p>
<p>Given the propensity for men to be perpetrators, we must think about prevention programs that squarely address the conditions triggering workplace violence among some men.</p>
<h2>More hospital emergency visits</h2>
<p>In our second study, we again saw divergent trends between men and women. This study looked at workplace violence trends in Ontario using two population-based data sources: lost-time claims due to assault accepted by Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) between 2002 and 2015, and emergency room visits due to assaults at work across all Ontario hospitals from 2004 to 2014.</p>
<p>According to both sources, while overall rates of workplace violence remained stable among men, they increased among women by about 2.7 per cent a year. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/254467/original/file-20190118-100292-wh7sgb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/254467/original/file-20190118-100292-wh7sgb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/254467/original/file-20190118-100292-wh7sgb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/254467/original/file-20190118-100292-wh7sgb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/254467/original/file-20190118-100292-wh7sgb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/254467/original/file-20190118-100292-wh7sgb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/254467/original/file-20190118-100292-wh7sgb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">Women educators are much more likely to need time off work because of physical assault on the job.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">(Shutterstock)</span></span>
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<p>In the 10 to 13 years covered by this study, violence-related injury claims accepted by the WSIB ranged from 0.3 to 0.4 per 1,000 full-time workers for men, and rose from 0.4 to 0.6 per 1,000 for women. </p>
<p>Hospital emergency visits due to work-related violence held steady for men at 0.24-0.28 per 1,000, but rose from 0.2 to nearly 0.3 per 1,000 among women. (Keep in mind that these were injuries serious enough to warrant time off work and/or hospital visits. That’s why the prevalence rates seen in these two sources were much smaller than what was reported in the StatsCan surveys.)</p>
<h2>Sharp rise in violence for women in education</h2>
<p>These two data sources also reveal a sharp rise in workplace violence among women who work in education. In this sector, rates of assaults more than doubled among women — from about 0.9 per 1,000 full-time workers in 2002 to 2.5 per 1,000 in 2015. </p>
<p>Indeed, women educators were four to six times more likely than their male counterparts to require time off work because of physical assault on the job.</p>
<p>In the health-care sector, the focus of much attention with respect to workplace violence, rates of workplace violence are plateauing for women (at about 1.0 per 1,000) and declining among men (from 2.7 per 1,000 in 2004 to 1.5 per 1,000 in recent years). </p>
<p>Whether this apparent turnaround is due to prevention efforts, we don’t have enough data to say. But our findings suggest we should be paying as much attention to workplace violence in the education sector, especially among women.</p>
<h2>We need cultures of reporting</h2>
<p>Our studies help paint a clearer picture of workplace violence and how it differs for women and men. But they don’t capture the full picture. </p>
<p>First, workplace violence is broader than just assaults, emergency department presentations and workers’ compensation claims. It includes assaults, attempted assaults and also threats (both in person or not). </p>
<p>Second, according to studies in the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.22629">health-care sector</a>, only a fraction of workplace violence gets reported. </p>
<p>To truly address workplace violence and know if efforts are effective in reducing it, we need to first understand the scope of the problem. </p>
<p>That means creating cultures of reporting by building awareness of what types of violence should be reported, creating systems that make reporting easy and ensuring that reporting will result in appropriate responses.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/108380/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Peter Smith receives funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Ontario Ministry of Labour's Research Opportunities Program; the Government of Alberta's OHS Futures program; Ontario's Workplace Safety and Insurance Board Research Program; and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.</span></em></p>Violence-related injuries at work are on the rise in Canada. New research shows that it is women who suffer the most and especially those working in education.Peter Smith, Senior scientist, Institute for Work & Health. Associate professor: Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto & School of Population Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, University of TorontoLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1038302018-09-27T05:13:01Z2018-09-27T05:13:01ZWe need to talk about the mental health of content moderators<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/238233/original/file-20180926-48665-kwn38m.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Facebook moderators sift through hundreds of examples of distressing content during their shifts.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>Selena Scola worked as a public content contractor, or content moderator, for Facebook in its Silicon Valley offices. She left the company in March after less than a year. </p>
<p>In <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4936519-09-21-18-Scola-v-Facebook-Complaint.html#document/p3">documents</a> filed last week in California, Scola alleges unsafe work practices led her to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from witnessing “thousands of acts of extreme and graphic violence”. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/facebook-is-all-for-community-but-what-kind-of-community-is-it-building-101254">Facebook is all for community, but what kind of community is it building?</a>
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<p>Facebook acknowledged the work of moderation is not easy in a <a href="https://newsroom.fb.com/news/2018/07/hard-questions-content-reviewers/">blog post</a> published in July. In the same post, Facebook’s Vice President of Operations Ellen Silver outlined some of the ways the company supports their moderators:</p>
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<p>All content reviewers — whether full-time employees, contractors, or those employed by partner companies — have access to mental health resources, including trained professionals onsite for both individual and group counselling. </p>
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<p>But Scola claims Facebook fails to practice what it preaches. Previous <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2017/may/25/facebook-moderator-underpaid-overburdened-extreme-content">reports about its workplace conditions</a> also suggest the support they provide to moderators isn’t enough.</p>
<h2>It’s not the first time</h2>
<p>Scola’s legal action is not the first of its kind. Microsoft have been involved in a similar case since December 2016 involving two employees who worked in their <a href="https://theconversation.com/facebook-turns-to-real-people-to-fix-its-violent-video-problem-77156">child safety team</a>. </p>
<p>In both cases the plaintiffs allege their employer failed to provide sufficient support, despite knowing the psychological dangers of the work. </p>
<p>Both Microsoft and Facebook dispute the claims.</p>
<h2>How moderating can affect your mental health</h2>
<p>Facebook moderators sift through hundreds of examples of distressing content during each eight hour shift. </p>
<p>They assess posts including, but not limited to, depictions of violent death – including suicide and murder – self-harm, assault, violence against animals, hate speech and sexualised violence.</p>
<p>Studies in areas such as <a href="https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/caring-our-frontline-child-protection-workforce">child protection</a>, <a href="http://eyewitnessmediahub.com/research/vicarious-trauma">journalism</a> and <a href="https://aic.gov.au/file/6008/download?token=0R4Cg24h">law enforcement</a> show repeated exposure to these types of content has serious consequences. That includes the development of PTSD. Workers also experience higher rates of burnout, relationship breakdown and, in some instances, suicide. </p>
<h2>Aren’t there workplace guidelines?</h2>
<p>Industries including journalism, law and policing have invested a significant amount of thought and money into best practice policies designed to protect workers.</p>
<p>In Australia, for example, those working in child safety <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-06/behind-the-scenes-at-the-child-abuse-squad/8593108">opt-in</a> to the work rather than cases being assigned. They are then required to undertake rigorous psychological testing to assess if they are able to emotionally compartmentalise the work effectively. Once working, they have regular mandated counselling sessions and are routinely reassigned into other areas of investigation to limit the amount of exposure.</p>
<p>The tech industry has similar guidelines. In fact, Facebook helped create the <a href="http://www.technologycoalition.org/">Technology Coalition</a>, which aims to eradicate online child sexual exploitation. In 2015, the coalition released its <a href="http://www.technologycoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/TechnologyCoalitionEmployeeResilienceGuidebookV2January2015.pdf">Employee Resilience Guidebook</a>, which outlines occupational health and safety measures for workers routinely viewing distressing materials. While these guidelines are couched as specific to workers viewing child pornography, they are also applicable to all types of distressing imagery. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/facebooks-moderation-rules-prove-its-ok-with-being-a-hostile-place-for-women-78200">Facebook's moderation rules prove it's OK with being a hostile place for women</a>
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<p>The guidelines include “providing mandatory group and individual counselling sessions” with a trauma specialist, and “permitting moderators to opt-out” of viewing child pornography. </p>
<p>The guidelines also recommend limiting exposure to disturbing materials to four hours, encouraging workers to switch to other projects to get relief, and allowing workers time off to recover from trauma.</p>
<h2>But it’s not just about guidelines</h2>
<p>Having support available doesn’t necessarily mean staff feel like they can actually access it. Most of Facebook’s moderators, including Scola, work in precarious employment conditions as outside contractors employed through third party companies. </p>
<p>Working under these conditions has <a href="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/theausinstitute/pages/2530/attachments/original/1508324769/Gig_Symposium_PrePub_Lewchuk.pdf?1508324769">been shown</a> to have a detrimental impact on employee well-being. That’s because these kinds of employees are not only less likely to be able to access support mechanisms, they often feel doing so will risk them losing their job. In addition, low pay can lead to employees being unable to take time off to recover from trauma. </p>
<p>Insecure work can also impact one’s sense of control. As I’ve <a href="https://theconversation.com/facebook-is-all-for-community-but-what-kind-of-community-is-it-building-101254">previously discussed</a>, moderators have little to no control over their work flow. They do not control the type of content that pops up on their screen. They have limited time to make decisions, often with little or no context. And, they have no personal say in how those decisions are made. </p>
<p>According to both the filing, and media reports around Facebook’s moderator employment conditions, employees are under immense pressure from the company to get through thousands of posts per day. They are also regularly audited, which adds to the stress.</p>
<h2>Where to from here?</h2>
<p>Adequate workplace support is essential for moderators. Some sections of the industry provide us with best case examples. In particular, the support provided to those who work in online mental health communities, such as <a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/">Beyond Blue</a> in Australia, is exemplary and provides a good blueprint. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/haters-gonna-hate-is-no-consolation-for-online-moderators-34603">'Haters gonna hate' is no consolation for online moderators</a>
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<p>We also need to address the ongoing issue of precarity in an industry that asks people to put their mental health at risk on a daily basis. This requires good industry governance and representation. To this end, <a href="https://www.meaa.org/mediaroom/australian-community-managers-partners-with-meaa/">Australian Community Managers have recently partnered with the MEAA</a> to push for better conditions for everyone in the industry, including moderators.</p>
<p>As for Facebook, Scola’s suit is a class action. If it’s successful, Facebook could find itself compensating hundreds of moderators employed in California over the past three years. It could also set an industry-wide precedent, opening the door to complaints from thousands of moderators employed across a range of tech and media industries.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/103830/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Jennifer Beckett does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>The news that a former moderator is suing Facebook over unsafe work practices suggests it’s time we finally took the mental health of moderators seriously.Jennifer Beckett, Lecturer in Media and Communications, The University of MelbourneLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1009022018-08-02T13:37:36Z2018-08-02T13:37:36ZWhy small businesses really do struggle to understand red tape<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/230214/original/file-20180801-136661-zdamz9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/red-tape-around-briefcase-labeled-brexit-1038794731?src=GDsjsSNbfh7p0UD3tCA6mw-1-6">Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Regulations are a part of everyday life. They cover everything from the <a href="https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/regulated-companies/price-review/">cost and quality</a> of the things we buy, to <a href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/employing-people/contracts">conditions of employment</a> and the way our <a href="https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200128/building_control">homes are constructed</a>. Yet most of the time they go unnoticed. </p>
<p>As a set of rules which specify the minimum standards companies and individuals should follow, regulations are put in place because they are deemed to be in the broad public interest. Yet they only work when they are followed – and this only happens when the people responsible for implementing them understand what they should be doing. </p>
<p>A gap in knowledge could be the difference between one firm correctly using safety equipment and another firm putting their employees and customers at risk by not even knowing such equipment exists. Part of the difficulty in complying with regulations is they can be complex and often changed. This means firms have to work hard to keep their knowledge and procedures up to date. What was required ten or 20 years ago is often no longer the case now. </p>
<p>Small firms often find regulation particularly challenging simply because they don’t have the capacity to devote time or money to learning about it. It doesn’t help that regulations are often considered as unnecessary “red tape”, full of rules which appear to lack common sense. Should it really be illegal, for example, for companies selling bottled water to inform potential customers that drinking it will <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/8897662/EU-bans-claim-that-water-can-prevent-dehydration.html">help with rehydration</a>?</p>
<p>Even the recent changes in General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – all those emails asking you to sign up to mailing lists – which were publicised for years before the deadline, were complex. There is still plenty of confusion about what is actually required, so unsurprisingly, many firms have <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44208456">struggled to meet</a> their new obligations.</p>
<p><a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1467-8551.12314">Our research</a> on some of the smallest firms in the UK tourist sector found that many owners and managers demonstrated considerable overconfidence when it comes to regulations. Many admitted having imperfect regulatory knowledge in areas fundamental to their operations, but still continued to run their businesses anyway. </p>
<p>This is worrying. All firms should have a functioning knowledge of the basic rules on employment, fire safety, discrimination, and health and safety. Would you prefer to stay at a bed & breakfast run by people who didn’t they should have conducted a <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/11085/payingguests.pdf">fire risk assessment</a> (and subsequently developed plans and installed equipment), or at an alternative establishment which complies with such requirements?</p>
<p>Trade associations are often considered a key source of support for small firms, assisting with limitations firms face because they are small. During our study we found that they do indeed provide lots of helpful information on things like rules and regulations. </p>
<h2>Understanding the rule book</h2>
<p>Yet, surprisingly, we found that membership of trade associations doesn’t really improve what micro-firm owners and managers actually <em>know</em> about regulation. It just makes them think they know more.</p>
<p>This means they risk making poor business decisions, potential prosecution for breaking the law, and even unnecessarily risk public safety – all because of their own misunderstanding of what the law really requires. This is likely to be caused by information overload and a false sense of security created by receiving – but not necessarily reading – the detailed information provided.</p>
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<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/230248/original/file-20180801-136661-p1r136.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/230248/original/file-20180801-136661-p1r136.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/230248/original/file-20180801-136661-p1r136.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/230248/original/file-20180801-136661-p1r136.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/230248/original/file-20180801-136661-p1r136.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/230248/original/file-20180801-136661-p1r136.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/230248/original/file-20180801-136661-p1r136.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">Pick the one which understands the regulations.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/traditional-bed-breakfast-sign-surrounded-by-141263332?src=FASAQXfRe3lFq4Gshl2eAg-1-0">Shutterstock</a></span>
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<p>We also found that firms with a positive approach towards regulation generally had greater knowledge, so perhaps a healthy attitude is an important part of learning more. </p>
<p>This all suggests that we need to move away from viewing rules and regulations as being meddlesome and unwelcome red tape. Instead, businesses need to consider them positively as sensible measures which protect them – and the public. Trade associations could play a key role here, given their regular communication and trusted status with member firms. But they also need to find new ways of making sure the information they provide is both understood and acted upon.</p>
<p>While the debate about <a href="https://theconversation.com/uk/eu-referendum-2016">Brexit continues</a> in the UK, politicians should keep in mind that firms are struggling to learn about and implement rules and regulations which already exist. </p>
<p>If Brexit results in significant changes in what companies should be doing – even if that means cutting red tape as some politicians claim – then the smallest companies are likely going to find it hugely challenging to make sure they know what they should be doing, never mind actually doing it.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/100902/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Phil Tomlinson receives funding from the Regional Studies Association under the RSA Expo scheme and from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to fund two business acceleration hubs in the South West of England.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>J. Robert Branston and Marc Betton do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>And Brexit could make things even more challenging.J. Robert Branston, Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Business Economics, University of BathMarc Betton, Researcher, University of BathPhil Tomlinson, Associate Professor in Business Economics, Deputy Director Centre for Governance, Regulation and Industrial Strategy (CGR&IS), University of BathLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.