Soils, potting mix, and compost products typically contain basic ingredients, including water, gas, minerals, and organic matter. While these ingredients occur naturally in the environment, they provide a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus which can potentially cause rare illnesses, such as Legionnaire’s Disease or Mucormycosis.
If your occupation involves work with soil, potting mix, and/or compost, it is important to follow appropriate safety measures and monitor for any symptoms.
Approximately 135,000 Australians currently live with blood cancer or a related blood disorder, and it is expected that more than 19,400 people will be newly diagnosed each year. With approximately 16 people will losing their life each day, blood cancer and …
Breast cancer is among the most commonly diagnosed cancers in Australia, and the second most common in women. Around 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer by the time they are 85, most often in women older than 40.
Although 99% of breast cancer diagnoses are in women, breast cancer also affects many men, with 1 in 667 men likely to be diagnosed by the age of 85. Gender diverse people taking female hormones are also at an increased risk of breast cancer.
PFAS, the subject of the movie ‘Dark Waters’ and recently released documentary ‘How to Poison a Planet Revealed’ are a group or ‘family’ of over 15,000 man-made chemicals that are not readily bio-degradable, widespread with numerous avenues for exposure and are toxic to environments and animals including humans.
PFAS repeal heat, water, oil, and grease; properties which caused them to become a common ingredient in a large range of products and industries over the years. They were initially used for non-stick and waterproof coatings such as Teflon.
Australia is known for having one of the highest rates of skin cancer worldwide. Statistically, two out of three Australians will develop skin cancer by the time they are 70.
In 2019, it was estimated that 1.6 billion people were exposed to UV radiation while working outdoors. According to the Cancer Council, people who are required to work outdoors due to the nature of their occupation are five to ten times more likely to develop skin cancer.
On the 18th of January the Work Health and Safety Ministers agreed to an immediate reduction in the workplace exposure standards for welding fumes. The exposure standard for welding fumes has been reduced from an 8- hour time weighted average of 5mg/m3 to 1mg/m3.
Since 2019, three Victorian workers have died due to diseases caused by being exposed to welding fumes. Zaparas Lawyers currently act for a number of terminal welders suffering from lung cancer and therefore unfortunately this death rate will continue grow.
These reductions of the previous standards have been made to protect those who work within industries that are exposed to the fumes. WorkSafe Victoria have used this announcement of the changes as an opportunity to urge Victorian employers to assess their control measures for managing welding fumes.
A Paint Factory in Dandenong was recently engulfed in a fire as a delivery of solvents and chemicals were being unloaded when a large explosion and subsequent fire occurred. Unfortunately, three workers were in the proximity of the blast, which lead to two of the workers being taken to hospital for injuries and one fatality. This occurrence is another reminder of the dangers of the risk workers can face when working within these factory settings, especially one containing an array of chemicals.
Safe Work Australia has recently published “the Decision Regulation Impact Statement: Prohibition on the use of engineered stone”. A report in which recommends a prohibition on the use of all engineered stone to protect the health and safety of workers. This report was preceded by an announcement of the Australian Council of Trade Unions that they will ban the use of Engineered Stone on Union worksites with or without federal assistance by July 2024.
As Safe Work Australia states “Engineered Stone workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica are significantly over-represented in silicosis cases and they are being diagnosed with silicosis at a much younger age than workers from other industries”. This action toward an Engineered Stone Ban comes as many Australians are developing silicosis as a result of working with these materials, being cited by many as a health epidemic.
National Asbestos Awareness Week 2023 runs from the 20th to the 26th of November. It is a week where we raise awareness for the very real risks the Australian public still face with Asbestos and its related diseases. This National Asbestos Awareness Week marks the 20-year anniversary since Asbestos was completely banned in Australia. Throughout this week, we will reflect on the progress that has occurred since the ban, but also highlight the threats asbestos can still pose to us today.
Trade occupations represent nearly 60% of serious workers’ compensation claims in Australia despite only making up about 30% of the workforce.
Pesticides are used domestically as well as occupationally to control, repel and destroy pests. Pesticides are commonly dispersed as an aerosol on crops. They are also used around the home and garden to control insects.
Benzene, an aromatic hydrocarbon, is mainly derived from petroleum and is used as an intermediate in the chemical industry as well as a solvent in paint, inks, dyes, thinners, adhesives, and coatings. It is also commonly used in the production of polymers, resins, synthetic fibres, and rubber products.
