Webinar Recording – What does good health look like? – Recording 24/05/24
Presenter(s): Presenter/s: Dr Carmen Naylor, Chair Jane Whitelaw
Recorded 24 May 2024
Occupational Health metrics are an important component of Work Health and Safety (WHS) performance indicators. Recent articles on the increasing prevalence of silicosis and resurgence of “black lung” has increased awareness of work related health impacts. Yet, despite the critical impact of occupational illness and disease, workplace health and safety reporting commonly focus on workplace injury reduction.
If PCBU’s had a framework of leading indicators for health, they could monitor health impacts in the workplace and also demonstrate year upon year progress. It is acknowledged that lagging indicators for occupational health outcomes – such as worker compensation statistics are inadequate in identifying the true extent of worker illness and disease.
The Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH) aims to identify a set of leading and lagging occupational health indicators that can support PCBU’s to identify and track the workplace conditions and factors that can adversely and positively affect worker health. The goal of this AIOH scheme is to support Business Leaders and Occupational Health and Safety Professionals in choosing internal occupational health indicators, developing an external tool which will be useful in benchmarking Australia’s Occupational Health performance and thus “Raising the Standards” for worker health protection. We will also be using this as an opportunity to consult with you to get an idea of what you think need to be focused on in health risk management and what you think represents good practice.
Dr Carmen Naylor
Dr Carmen Naylor holds degrees in Exercise Science and Rehabilitation, Masters in Science (Research) and Masters in Occupational Hygiene Practice and is currently Leader of Human Health monitoring, High Reliability at ANSTO. Carmen is a passionate advocate for occupational health and safety research, which was the incentive for completion of a PhD in the field of occupational hygiene and toxicology at the University of Wollongong Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) academic program. Her area of research addressed routes of exposure and health effects of metals.
Carmen is also a sessional tutor at the University of Wollongong for the Work Health & Safety Program, General Councillor and active volunteer for the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH), a mother of two and enjoys encouraging aspiring scientists to pursue a career in Occupational Hygiene, the science behind worker health protection. In 2019 she was awarded the AIOH Drager Safety Pacific Young Hygienist Award.
The storyline of this presentation would be presented from the perspective of a newly recruited occupational hygienist who is preparing for their first turnaround, how they play a pivotal role during every stage of the process and how they must adapt to dynamic conditions. Additionally, this would serve as a refresher for seasoned professionals, enriching their understanding and application of best practices during critical turnaround periods.
TSI will provide a brief update on future PortaCount™ Respirator Fit Tester software developments around improvement to centralised record-keeping capabilities as well as a brief update on the AS/NZS ISO Suite of Standards Adoption and Transition.
The panel will discuss the recent change to the welding fume (not otherwise specified) exposure standard, how can exposure to welding fumes be controlled, how can occupational hygienists help the industry understand the risks associated with welding fumes and what does the future hold with the announced Workplace Exposure Limits
Recorded 19 April 2024
Update on mould - the Qld regulators perspective - 19 April 24 This webinar will include topics including: Legislative requirements in relation to managing the risks of exposure to mould. What does compliance look like? What would the inspectorate look for in relation to a complaint?
Isocyanate Resins Exposure Monitoring- 22nd March 24 Isocyanate-based polymeric chemicals are used extensively in mining and construction to fill cavities and reinforce or stabilise strata in the underground environment. Methylene diphenyl isocyanate (MDI) is a common ingredient and is a known respiratory sensitiser and skin allergen which can be inhaled or absorbed through direct skin contact. RSHQ has been investigating the adequacy of current atmospheric and biological monitoring techniques.
Winner - 2023 AIOH Conference 3M Best Paper Award.
This paper discusses the controversy over the use of the linear non-threshold (LNT) model and presents the case for the existence of a threshold of effect for both asbestos and crystalline silica. The existence of threshold affect does not support the suggested need to further reduce the current OELs for these substances and others. Presented by Ian Firth
The presentation by Dr Rebecca Newton, Manager, Chemicals, Occupational Hygiene and High Risk Work Policy, will cover the Safe Work Australia review of the Workplace Exposure Standards and the next steps.
This webinar will provide an update on the ISO Respiratory Protective Devices Standards, bringing this global Standard back to home.
Standards are used to demonstrate conformance to local regulations / laws. There is a new set of globally harmonised standards for respiratory protective devices (RPD) that changes the focus from performance by design to performance required by the wearer. The work on these standards started more than 20 years ago; with several RPD standards already published.
The webinar will cover some of the new developments and some older concepts that are new to occupational health safety and hygiene that we can use when considering skin exposure in the workplace.
The Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH) launched Breathe Freely Australia in 2018, which provides readily available information for workers and supervisors about the hazards of toxic dust and prevention of lung diseases in various industries. In 2020, the AIOH started the RESP-FIT program, which is relevant to those who rely on respirators as protection against harmful dust. As many lung diseases are serious and irreversible, the focus must be on prevention of harm. Workers in the manufactured stone sector rely on many control measures to protect them from lung diseases such as silicosis, with one of them being respiratory protection.
This webinar will look at virtual reality as a means of helping workers to see what they otherwise cannot. Virtual reality is an administrative control, that can be used to provide a powerful message to workers to help them reduce their exposure by being able to understand where an unseen hazard exists. We will look at a case study in an underground coal mine and how the training was developed, providing tips along the way of how this can be achieved.
