Looking back at the highlights from the financial year 2021/22
It was a big year for the Centre as we continue to seek out opportunities in work health and safety, and deliver new, innovative solutions in our bid to make NSW workplaces safer for all workers.
Led by the Understanding the Changing World of Work: Horizon Scan, we’ve taken on current and emerging WHS issues with a view to explore research projects that deliver practical solutions and recommendations, and affect change in policies, regulation and behaviours across all industry sectors.
These are some of our highlights.
2021 National Work Health and Safety Colloquium
After setbacks from lockdowns over the previous years, we were able to host the annual National Work Health and Safety Colloquium in person and online. The event showcased the latest WHS research from across Australia, bringing together WHS researchers, leaders, and students to collaborate, share and network. It was a fantastic forum for discussion after such a long hiatus, and it has set the groundwork for our 2022 event which promises to be even bigger.
BIM for WHS Management
The construction sector has seen some major developments in the way that business is conducted, particularly regarding the technology being used to deliver major projects. Considering the emerging WHS concerns that follow new ways of working, the Centre delivered research findings from the Building Information Modelling (BIM) for WHS management project in January 2022. The project output guidelines encompassing best practices for the integration of WHS management in BIM by industry, and to aid the evaluation of WHS management in BIM as part of the procurement process. Read more about the project here.
The Air XS Real-Time Silica Detector
Considered to be one of the major modern risks in construction and manufacturing, the Centre was determined to address the hazard of silica dust inhalation by workers, a risk that can result in fatal conditions like the lung disease silicosis. Alongside technology partners Trolex Sensors, we were proud to unveil a world first piece of tech, the Air XS, a real-time silica detector accurately monitoring silica dust levels in the air to alert workers in real time of the hazards. Pre-orders are now available with rebates for eligible NSW businesses.
Research and Development Expressions of Interest
Always looking for new ways to improve workplace safety, this year we decided to tender the broader population for different solutions.
Launching a crowdsourcing campaign which sought innovative research and development proposals to aid the prevention of workplace harm, we were able to identify four new projects to explore, each with the potential to result in tangible products and tools that can make workplaces safer. The successful research partners will be announced soon.