Wednesday, September 4th, 2024 marked World Leukemia Day and World Lymphoma Day is approaching on 15th September, 2024. Along with raising awareness and showing support for those living with blood cancer, these World Awareness Days are a timely reminder of the …
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Posted onShedding Light on Lymphoma & Leukemia: Why this Month Matters
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Posted onNew National Laws to protect Workers from Silica risk
New national laws have taken effect that give workers the right to demand multiple safety control measures, such as PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), water suppression, on – tool extraction systems and exhaust ventilation systems. Workers can now also demand a silica …
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Posted onAm I at risk of Raynaud’s Disease?
Raynaud’s disease (also known as Raynaud’s syndrome or Raynaud’s phenomenon) affects around 5% of men and 10% of women in Australia. Raynaud’s disease is a condition that restricts blood flow to your fingers and toes in response to cold weather or …
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Victoria Posted onWorkCover Entitlements for Occupational Diseases
If a worker contracts a disease as a result of exposure to risk factors arising from the nature of employment, that disease may be classified as an occupational disease. Are there any entitlements?
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Occupational Asthma – What you need to know
BACKGROUND: Approximately 2.8 million Australians live with asthma, which causes around 400 deaths every year. Up to 25% of adult-onset asthma cases are caused by occupational exposures, with as many as 3000 new cases of occupational asthma each year in Australia. …
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New study finds 90% of welders exposed to Carcinogens
A recent joint study between the University of Sydney and Curtin University found that as many as 46,000 Australian welders are exposed to high levels of dangerous, potentially cancer-causing fumes at work. In addition, the fumes can also cause neurological disorders …
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Soil, Potting Mix and Compost. The risks you may face at work.
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.
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National Blood Cancer Day: What you need to know about Occupational Blood Cancer
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 …
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Occupational Breast Cancer – What you need to know
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.
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Victoria Posted onPFAS – have I been exposed to ‘Forever Chemicals’?
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.
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Occupational Skin Cancer: What you need to know
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.
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Victoria Posted onWelding Safety: A new standard for fume control
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.
