Host Lish Fejer is joined by University of Adelaide researcher, Dr Miriam van den Berg, alongside WorkSafe ACT's Work Health and Safety Commissioner, Jacqui Agius, as they explore the rise of platform-based gig work and what it means for worker health, wellbeing and day-to-day safety. Platform work involves people accepting short, on-demand jobs via apps or websites that match workers with customers, such as food delivery, rideshare, trades and even care and health services. Fejer, van den Berg and Agius discuss how this flexibility can bring uncertainty, low pay and an increased exposure to psychosocial risks. They cover who holds WHS duties when there’s no visible workplace or boss and how addressing legislative loopholes and Fair Work Commission minimum standards may improve conditions for everyone.

The episode references a recent Fair Work Commission case, the draft decision is available here.

Host Lish Fejer is joined by Certified Occupational Hygienist Kate Cole OAM and WorkSafe ACT Commissioner Jacqui Agius to discuss dangerous substances like asbestos and crystalline silica, and why these exposures remain major contributors to work-related disease and death in Australia. Most often encountered in the construction industry, silica is common in materials like concrete, brick and stone which becomes hazardous when cut or grinded into fine respirable dust. Similarly, asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fibre that once damaged, disturbed or deteriorated can pose significant health risks. The conversation highlights long disease latency, cumulative exposure at work, uninformed exposure at home, and real enforcement examples in the ACT. They emphasise that asbestos- and silica-related diseases are preventable through eliminating exposure via safety-by-design, proactive asbestos removal and engineering controls like specialised equipment. Listeners are directed to Dangerous goods and hazardous substances - WorkSafe ACT for resources.

In this episode of The Safety Spotlight, host Lish Fejer discusses workplace injury, workers' compensation, and the return-to-work journey with Alistair Grant, President of the Australian Rehabilitation Providers Association (ARPA) and occupational therapist behind the Good to Go program, Peggy Cheong, the Acting ACT Work Health and Safety Commissioner.

They explore the scale of work-related injury in Australia and examine why getting injured workers back into meaningful employment remains so challenging. The episode delves into the two types of workers' compensation schemes, the growing burden of psychological injury claims, and the critical role of early employer support in improving return-to-work outcomes.

Resources discussed are available through WorkSafe ACT and ARPA's Good to Go initiative at goodrtw.org.au.

In this episode of The Safety Spotlight, host Lish Fejer discusses work health and safety prosecutions with WorkSafe ACT's Commissioner Jacqui Agius and Queensland's Independent Work Health and Safety Prosecutor, Simon Nicholson. They delve into how prosecutions serve as a risk deterrent, enforce employer accountability, and raise public awareness on risk in the workplace. The episode also explores the complexity of investigations, the importance of evidence, and the focus on both incident-based and risk-based prosecutions, including the emerging area of psychosocial hazards. Key takeaways emphasise the significance of prevention, proper systems of work, and the evolving legal landscape surrounding workplace health and safety.

Join host Lish Fejer with regular guest, Work Health and Safety Commissioner Jacqueline Agius, in this episode of The Safety Spotlight as they talk to Siti Mustaffa, the former Co-President of the ACT Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction, about how cultural and linguistic diversity impacts workplaces. This episode delves into the specific workplace health and safety challenges faced by culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) workers, covering language barriers, training gaps, cultural differences, and the overrepresentation of CALD workers in high-risk job sectors like construction and cleaning. Lish, Jacqui and Siti highlight the importance of face-to-face interactions, practical demonstrations, and integration of safety information in multiple languages, as well as stress the impact of microaggressions and the need for health and safety representatives to advocate for CALD workers in the workplace.

Join host Lish Fejer in this episode of The Safety Spotlight, a podcast from WorkSafe ACT, featuring Professor Maureen Dollard of the University of South Australia, alongside regular guest Jacqueline Agius, the ACT’s Work Health and Safety Commissioner. This episode explores the increasingly prevalent issue of psychosocial risk in the workplace, examining its definition, its impact on individuals and organisations, and the practical steps businesses can take to address it effectively. Lish, Jacqui and Professor Dollard discuss the significant costs of psychological injuries compared to physical ones, as well as highlight the importance of a strong psychosocial safety climate and the role of legislation to support it. Through expert advice and practical examples, this episode offers essential listening for anyone involved in workplace health and safety.

Join host Lish Fejer and WorkSafe ACT Commissioner Jacqui Agius in a critical discussion on this episode of The Safety Spotlight about sexual harassment and assault in the workplace. Featuring special guest Joanne Farrell, a passionate advocate for women in construction and founder of 'Build Like A Girl', they define pertinent issues, discuss their prevalence, causes, and impacts, and offer practical ways to change workplace culture. This episode highlights personal experiences, legal frameworks, and the vital role of both individuals and organisations in creating a safe and respectful work environment.

This episode includes discussions of sensitive topics that may be distressing or triggering for some listeners. If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual harassment, we encourage you to seek support from trusted professionals or support services.

Join host Lish Fejer in this episode of The Safety Spotlight featuring Work Health and Safety Commissioner Jacqui Agius and Professor Helen Lingard from RMIT University. They discuss the crucial importance of workplace safety, not just in preventing injuries but also its economic impact. The episode covers the hidden costs of cutting corners on safety, the significance of a proactive safety culture, and the benefits of consulting workers and employing safety by design. Through real-world examples and expert insights, learn how prioritising safety can lead to a healthier, more productive work environment that can ultimately benefit the bottom line.