Many of the refrigerants traditionally used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems in Australian work places are non-flammable, non-toxic , synthetic greenhouse gases (SGGs) that have a high global warming potential (GWP). The use of alternative low GWP refrigerants is increasing due to the growing national and international concern regarding the resulting atmospheric effects of SGGs. Some low GWP alternative refrigerants are flammable and this represents a significant change for work health and safety standards.

Promoting a safer, more productive workplace, can help minimise employee turnover and absenteeism, reduce employer risk, and lower workers' compensation incidence rates. Employment drug testing is a powerful risk tool that brings far-reaching organisational benefits. The safety of workplace likewise hinge on a drug free zone. It has been mandatory in majority of the companies to undergo drug testing, either for pre-screening or random suspicion-less testing. Work in a place that is prone to drug buy bust operations or inhabited by discrete drug lords is satirically and obviously unsafe. Safety is not only confined to the physical well being of the worker, but the mental state of the people surrounding you as well. The very people who have strong influence to an employee’s actions and relationships with co-workers, peers and family, are the very people who may have possible access points to prohibited drugs. Take for instance, some people take methamphetamine outside of work occasionally. However, the stimulant effect of these drugs can last anywhere between seven and 24 hours and the “coming down” time may have a serious effect on their ability to perform at optimum levels.

WorkCover NSW launched a new online competition today to get workplaces thinking about safety in the lead up to Safe Work Australia week.

The Australian Comcare Conference this year, 19^th to 21^st September, at the Sydney Convention Centre has a theme of Build, Connect and Support – Lead the Conversation, and more than 500 delegates from around Australia are expected to attend.