Workplace injuries and illnesses have a significant impact on individuals, workplaces and our community. Our research aims to reduce work-related injury and illness in Victoria and to help workplaces and compensation systems manage incidents effectively.
Work-related stress
Psychological health at work has the potential to impact not only work performance and levels of absenteeism, but also the overall health and wellbeing of workers. To assist WorkSafe in developing policy and practice in this area, ISCRR researchers have completed several evidence reviews on the topic of job stress and other work-related psychological issues.
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal injuries are the most common of workplace compensation claims. ISCRR research has aimed to develop new ways to prevent, report, and investigate musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace.
Defining safety communication in the workplace: An observational study Research Report
This observational study examined the impact of everyday workplace conversations about safety in creating and nurturing safe working environments. This project looks at the importance of effective communication in this area, particularly in terms of social settings and language choices for supervisors.
Keywords: workplace risk; work environment; safety communication; safety culture; safety climate
Date published: February 2016
Integrated approaches to worker health, safety and wellbeing: Review update Evidence Review
This update of the review shows that the evidence emerging in the last two years focuses on a set of new outcomes to build on the argument that an integrated approach to worker health, safety and wellbeing has multiple benefits at both an individual and organisational level
Keywords: occupational health and safety; OHS
Date published: December 2015
A whole of supply chain systems approach to addressing workplace safety risk management Research Report
This project reviewed the evidence around a whole of supply chain systems approach to risk management. From the evidence, three key sets of interventions were characterised: auditing instruments, regulation/legislation, and supply chain risk management tools. There is a need to develop tools for measuring and monitoring occupational health and safety practices along a supply chain.
Keywords: occupational health and safety; OHS; workplace risk; prevention
Date published: December 2015
Are improvements in occupational health and safety for hospital staff associated with improvements in patient health and safety? Evidence Review
This review aims to identify whether there is evidence of a potential association between improvements in occupational health and safety for hospital staff and patient health and wellbeing outcomes
Keywords: occupational health and safety; OHS; manual handling; musculoskeletal injury; work environment; safety climate; safety culture; occupational violence and aggression
Date published: December 2015
Carpentry apprentices, work and noise Research Report
This research project examined the experiences, beliefs and practices of trade apprentices who work in the construction sector in relation to their risks at work, with a focus on noise. It was found that this group considered Personal Protective Equipment as the best approach to preventing hearing loss and reported significant differences in access to such equipment, largely related to organisational size. The study also identified a lack of interest from management in this issue.
Keywords: workplace risk; workplace injury; hearing loss
Date published: October 2014
Guidebook: Integrated approaches to worker health, safety and well-being Guideline
The Guidebook to Integrated Approaches to Worker Health, Safety and Wellbeing was published in conjunction with WorkSafe and is also available on the WorkSafe website. This guidebook represents the application of best-practice approaches to these issues.
Keywords: occupational health and safety; OHS
Date published: December 2013
Integrated approaches to worker health, safety and wellbeing Research Report
Integrated approaches to worker health combine occupational safety and injury prevention with health promotion to advance worker health, safety and wellbeing. The research confirmed that integrated approaches are effective in terms of both physical and mental health outcomes, and particularly useful for reaching 'high risk' workers.
Keywords: occupational health and safety; OHS
Date published: December 2013
Quad bike crush protection devices: Update Oct 2012 Evidence Review
In 2011, ISCRR commissioned a literature review on behalf of WorkSafe Victoria, to assess the efficacy of crush protection devices for use on quad bikes, in response to growing concerns about the number of injuries and deaths attributed to these vehicles. It was considered necessary to reassess these findings and recommendations in light of an updated work recently self-published by the company Dynamic Research, Inc. relating to the effectiveness of an Australian designed and manufactured crush protection device, the QuadBar.
Keywords: workplace risk; workplace injury; work-related death
Date published: October 2012
Managing workplace safety risks: A supply chain perspective Evidence Review
This review analysed several workplace safety models proposed in the academic literature and those used in practice. These models were compared to the concept of supply chains and supply chain risk management to investigate gaps and opportunities. Based on the findings, a model of workplace safety risk management encompassing the supply chain perspective was developed. The effectiveness of the new workplace safety risk management model requires testing.
Keywords: workplace safety; workplace risk; best practice
Date published: July 2012
Quad bike safety devices: A snapshot review Evidence Review
Following growing concern about the numbers of injuries and deaths occurring as a result of the use of all-terrain vehicles quad bikes, WorkSafe Victoria requested ISCRR to conduct a literature review to assess the efficacy of crush protection devices which can be fitted to quad bikes, such as the Quad Bar.
Keywords: workplace risk; workplace injury; work-related death
Date published: February 2012
The futures of safety, compensation and recovery: Final report on the Futures Research Initiative Research Report
The ISCRR Futures Research Initiative has been designed to provide a rich information context and opportunity for debate for its stakeholders about knowledge needs in safety, compensation and recovery over the next 25 years. Information on national and global trends and futures writing across 11 areas of interest was generated by a Horizon Scanning Project. These articles became the catalyst for the first stage in the Stakeholder Dialogue project - 11 online discussions (blogs) involving invited contributors. This report draws together the outcomes of the Horizon Scanning Project and the Stakeholder Dialogue Project. The ISCRR analysis of the Horizon Scanning Project points to the intersection between alternative global futures and the forces shaping them, and Futures Workshop participants' preferred futures of safety, compensation and recovery and the means of achieving them. Findings will be an important resource for ISCRR planning and its future research agenda.
Keywords: best practice ; safety climate
Date published: August 2011