Actively promoting workplace safety is an important ABILITY GROUP function. At times we unfortunately need to manage tragic consequences of workplace accidents. Businesses that adopt a safety first approach are making an important step towards avoiding accidents and injuries. A court recently found a leading Australian paper manufacturer liable for the death of an employee fining them $400,000. (more…)
On 1 September 2015, the regulatory and insurance functions of WorkCover NSW are assumed by 3 new discrete organisations. State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) for workers compensation regulation, SafeWork NSW for work health and safety regulation and Insurance and Care NSW (icare) for workers compensation insurance. Following the 30 June 2015 scheme changes, these new changes are aligned with making the NSW Workers Compensation scheme more commercially focused and aligned with needs.
Social media is embedded throughout society as people throughout the day are connecting to others via an mediums like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and others. If work related incidents are discussed or an employee is bullied, the employer liability is considered. Social media policies are consequently becoming increasingly important for all businesses as connections to workers compensation grow.
According to NSW Government’s Get Healthy At Work, Australians spend one third of their lives at work, so being healthy at work can have some big benefits. Healthier employees are alert, fitter and more resilient against illness. A successful workplace health program improves productivity, attracts new employees, enhances business image and reduces absenteeism.
After being involved with numerous degenerative disease claims, a business can be held unfairly liable for such claims. The workers compensation system, processes and insurers often hold the employer liable for the full claims costs.
At ABILITY GROUP we advocate for clients and partners in securing the best possible outcome for their business and injured workers. In our experience businesses are often wrongfully held liable for the actions and decisions made by an individual during the years prior to being employed by the current business. Regrettably if proactive or preventative actions are not adopted by businesses, then the ability to have such degenerative disease related claims declined becomes extremely difficult.
There is growing evidence sitting or a sedentary lifestyle can result in chronic and even deadly health conditions. Many assume it is mostly office workers who are spending increasing time sitting yet there are many jobs that are also at risk. Majority of time sitting is work related yet once people leave work they also spend significant time sitting watching TV or the likes. What does the research say and what can be done?