The Implementation of Process Regulation in Occupational Health and Safety: A Comparative Study of Policy and Practice. The shift from prescriptive to process regulation of occupational health and safety (OHS) over the past 25 years represents the most significant transformation of OHS law since the nineteenth century. OHS regulators hoped process standards would provide a comprehensive and adaptable regulatory framework to address hazards at work. Yet the implementation and enforcement of proce ....The Implementation of Process Regulation in Occupational Health and Safety: A Comparative Study of Policy and Practice. The shift from prescriptive to process regulation of occupational health and safety (OHS) over the past 25 years represents the most significant transformation of OHS law since the nineteenth century. OHS regulators hoped process standards would provide a comprehensive and adaptable regulatory framework to address hazards at work. Yet the implementation and enforcement of process standards and systematic OHS management has been little researched. This project will analyse the development and implementation of process standards in six jurisdictions, assessing their evolution, effectiveness and ability to meet changing workplace circumstances. It will provide knowledge and tools for improving interventions.Read moreRead less
Working wounded or engaged? Australian work conditions and consequences through the lens of the Job Demands- Resources Model. Australian researchers will participate in high quality theory driven longitudinal research of crucial practical importance nationally and of theoretical importance internationally. Specifically the study will assist in understanding workplace health and productivity in terms of job conditions, demands and resources. It will underscore costly consequences of stressful j ....Working wounded or engaged? Australian work conditions and consequences through the lens of the Job Demands- Resources Model. Australian researchers will participate in high quality theory driven longitudinal research of crucial practical importance nationally and of theoretical importance internationally. Specifically the study will assist in understanding workplace health and productivity in terms of job conditions, demands and resources. It will underscore costly consequences of stressful jobs e.g. depression related workplace productivity loss in dollar terms. Australian governments, unions, and OHS organisations will have access to high quality evidence to: design and evaluate OHS interventions; inform prevention campaigns, policies and practice; benchmark progress at national levels; monitor changing trends; and develop national standards.Read moreRead less
Promoting resilience in employees working in high-stress occupations. Promoting positive mental health in the workplace has been identified as a national research priority. Mental health problems such as depression and stress now give rise to social and economic burdens comparable to those due to physiological conditions such as heart disease. Prevention strategies are strongly endorsed by both Government and peak health bodies as a necessity if this burden is to be addressed. Effective workpl ....Promoting resilience in employees working in high-stress occupations. Promoting positive mental health in the workplace has been identified as a national research priority. Mental health problems such as depression and stress now give rise to social and economic burdens comparable to those due to physiological conditions such as heart disease. Prevention strategies are strongly endorsed by both Government and peak health bodies as a necessity if this burden is to be addressed. Effective workplace strategies for positive mental health promotion will greatly reduce burdens on the health care system and the community whilst increasing productivity in the workplace and quality of life for individuals and their families.Read moreRead less
The psychological effects of wasting in Australian jockeys. It is well known that many jockeys engage in short-term, unhealthy cycles of weight loss and gain, known as 'wasting', to maintain consistent low riding-weight. The use of saunas is specially popular, with other known practices including food avoidance, laxative abuse, ingestion of diuretics and appetite suppressants, excessive exercise and self-induced vomiting. The adverse physiological effects of 'wasting' are well documented. This i ....The psychological effects of wasting in Australian jockeys. It is well known that many jockeys engage in short-term, unhealthy cycles of weight loss and gain, known as 'wasting', to maintain consistent low riding-weight. The use of saunas is specially popular, with other known practices including food avoidance, laxative abuse, ingestion of diuretics and appetite suppressants, excessive exercise and self-induced vomiting. The adverse physiological effects of 'wasting' are well documented. This investigation seeks to explore and describe the ways in which these pathogenic forms of weight control used the jockeys effect their psychological health. The primary outcome focus of the research is the formulation of recommendations for the adoption of healthy weight management practices by Australian jockeys that promote psychological well-being.Read moreRead less
An empirical evaluation of an innovative occupational stress intervention to improve the health and retention of high-risk employees. Occupational stress costs Australian organisations $105.5m, accounts for 6.5% of workplace injuries and 18.4 weeks absenteeism, per annum. This project introduces an occupational stress intervention in a State Government Department to improve the health and retention of employees who have experienced stress or who are a high risk for submitting a stress claim. The ....An empirical evaluation of an innovative occupational stress intervention to improve the health and retention of high-risk employees. Occupational stress costs Australian organisations $105.5m, accounts for 6.5% of workplace injuries and 18.4 weeks absenteeism, per annum. This project introduces an occupational stress intervention in a State Government Department to improve the health and retention of employees who have experienced stress or who are a high risk for submitting a stress claim. The intervention will reduce occupational stress costs by 40% and will be generalisable to other public and private organisations. The project will demonstrate how Australian employers can meet their legal and ethical obligations to protect employee's psychological health, with a view to ultimately reducing the occurrence and financial consequences of occupational stress claims.Read moreRead less
Optimal Resourcing: A longitudinal study of work demands, resourcing, and psychological well-being in Australian frontline police officers. Expanding the Job Demands-Resources model of job stress to include upstream pressures on the organisational system, this research will provide important insights into the relationships between psychosocial risks (current resources and demands) and police wellbeing. Using 3 wave longitudinal designs, and 'objective' measures of demands and resources, the rese ....Optimal Resourcing: A longitudinal study of work demands, resourcing, and psychological well-being in Australian frontline police officers. Expanding the Job Demands-Resources model of job stress to include upstream pressures on the organisational system, this research will provide important insights into the relationships between psychosocial risks (current resources and demands) and police wellbeing. Using 3 wave longitudinal designs, and 'objective' measures of demands and resources, the research will extend the stress development literature by exploring exposure (cross-sectional, 1 year) and time lag (2 year) causal pathways. The findings will make a significant contribution to contemporary job demand/resource theories of occupational stress and assist in the development of policies to enhance the occupational health and safety of frontline police officers.Read moreRead less
The effectiveness of health impact assessments conducted in Australia and New Zealand. Health impact assessment (HIA) has been internationally recognised as one of a limited number of preventive interventions that can be used to enhance the health benefits of health and other sector activities - policies, programs and projects - before they are implemented. The issue of how effective HIA is in changing decision-making and implementation remains largely unresolved however. This study will exami ....The effectiveness of health impact assessments conducted in Australia and New Zealand. Health impact assessment (HIA) has been internationally recognised as one of a limited number of preventive interventions that can be used to enhance the health benefits of health and other sector activities - policies, programs and projects - before they are implemented. The issue of how effective HIA is in changing decision-making and implementation remains largely unresolved however. This study will examine the effectiveness HIAs that have been completed in Australia and New Zealand between 2005 and 2009. The findings will guide the use of HIA by the public and private sectors in Australia and internationally, and improve HIA's ability to strengthen Australia's social and economic fabric.Read moreRead less
Time of day, time awake and alcohol: the effects on fatigue and performance. The results of this study will clarify the effects of sleep deprivation and time of day on the experiences of fatigue and on performance. This information will have a direct impact on policy and practice relating to the management of fatigue. The results will have a direct impact on community safety, especially on the road and in the workplace. The study therefore has direct relevance for guidelines and regulations de ....Time of day, time awake and alcohol: the effects on fatigue and performance. The results of this study will clarify the effects of sleep deprivation and time of day on the experiences of fatigue and on performance. This information will have a direct impact on policy and practice relating to the management of fatigue. The results will have a direct impact on community safety, especially on the road and in the workplace. The study therefore has direct relevance for guidelines and regulations deveoped by bodies such as national and state road safety and workplace health and safety bodies.Read moreRead less
Micro- and nano-particulate delivery systems for chemical and biological weapons: physical characterisation and risk assessment. Inert solid powder has been used as a carrier for chemical and biologically-active agents to increase their effectiveness in a range of applications such as chemical weapons, pesticides and insecticides. The aim of this research is to determine the influence of the physical characteristics of particulate delivery systems on their ability to deliver potentially toxic s ....Micro- and nano-particulate delivery systems for chemical and biological weapons: physical characterisation and risk assessment. Inert solid powder has been used as a carrier for chemical and biologically-active agents to increase their effectiveness in a range of applications such as chemical weapons, pesticides and insecticides. The aim of this research is to determine the influence of the physical characteristics of particulate delivery systems on their ability to deliver potentially toxic substances to exposed skin and through protective clothing. This data will provide the first step in the design and development of effective protective clothing/products and safety protocols to safeguard the health of Australians involved in the defence of Australia.Read moreRead less
In vivo Assessment of Radiation Dose from Inhalation of Radioactive Dust in the Mining and Milling of Radioactive Ores. The project will use a combination of in vivo gamma-ray spectrometry measurements and modelling to determine quantities of retained radioactive materials in mine workers exposed to long-lived radioactive dust and the radiation doses from those materials. These studies will provide better indications of dose in a range of mining environments. Current indirect dose estimation tec ....In vivo Assessment of Radiation Dose from Inhalation of Radioactive Dust in the Mining and Milling of Radioactive Ores. The project will use a combination of in vivo gamma-ray spectrometry measurements and modelling to determine quantities of retained radioactive materials in mine workers exposed to long-lived radioactive dust and the radiation doses from those materials. These studies will provide better indications of dose in a range of mining environments. Current indirect dose estimation techniques will be tested and improved. This benefits both industry and workers as it allows greater optimisation of work practices and greater confidence for workers and their communities about the real risks from radiation exposure. Our project will enhance the viability of the Australian mining industry.Read moreRead less