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WARNING: This episode discusses workplace fatalities and complex injuries Season 06 Episode 01 is a special release extended episode, recorded live on stage at the Mechanical Engineering Safety Seminar 2024 sponsored by the New South Wales Resources Regulator (NSW MESS 2024). The WhyWork Podcast rabble rousers, Alan Girle, Trajce Cvetkovski, and Sara Pazell wrestle with … Read more

Season 05 Bonus Episode 14 Risk versus reward, reliability versus resilience: Trajce, Alan, and Sara explore these tensions. Trajce wants to talk about investigations and the sex industry, while Sara and Alan poke at Trajce’s sensitivities to Harvard Business Law style jargon. Alan, however, also wants to talk about sex trades with a throwback to Season … Read more

“We’ve got vibration, we’ve got noise, we’re getting jiggly here,” chimes Trajce. Trajce is on a roll, he can’t help himself, he continues with another song, “I see red, I see red, I see red,” he pipes. Sara describes the X, Y, Z axes of vibration measures. She tells a story about how she’s been attributed … Read more

WARNING – This episode presents content on workplace fatalities – listener discretion is advised. With a word play on cosmetics branding, Trajce frames the scenario explained by Sara: A naturally curious 14 y/o, an electric display vehicle, a shopping centre, and the make up counter. “This is like a red bull, a caged beast,” Trajce … Read more

To fit or not to fit? This episode discusses a WhyWork Podcast subscriber’s concern on managing the scenario when a bearded worker must wear a mask for their health protections at work. “Get better equipment,” is not the easiest mandate in this complex situation, says Count van Count, aka Trajce. He is expressive while displaying … Read more

WARNING: This episode presents topics on workplace fatalities and suicide – Listener discretion is advised. Sara announces the publication of a new book of which she is a co-editor, “Healthcare Insights: The voice of the consumer, the practitioner, and the work design strategist.” “The intent,” she explains, “is to empathise and to understand situations from … Read more

WARNING: This episode discusses fatalities in the workplace. Listener discretion is advised. In this episode, Alan broaches the topic of industrial manslaughter by describing a case involving a forklift operation fatal incident in a stonemasonry company in New South Wales. This prompts Trajce to reflect on a case where a prosecuted employer ritualistically honoured the … Read more

Trajce raises the Barnaby Bother. It was a Boisterous Barnaby Bumble… Alan explains the alcohol-infused ‘Barnaby bumble’: It made national news, all around  Australia, and it was highly embarrassing to anyone involved. Trajce reminds the crew that Zahi Steggall, Member of Parliament New South Wales, SW MP, has implored, “We must do something about alcohol use … Read more

Anna Linning asks, “How are different organisations managing the phenomena of digital and instant communication modes in their business – Teams, social media, intranets, and the like?” “Doctor, doctor, give me a call,” Alan chimes, reflecting on Anna’s work in an Australian occupational medical practice.  The team debate the Fair Work Amendment Bill 2023 on … Read more

WARNING: Suicide and sex are mentioned in this episode. The WhyWork crew debate the contest of being forthright in social relations. Trajce reveals a case of a young, drunken lawyer determined to approach a colleague on the dancefloor at a work party. The courts deemed his behaviour to be highly inappropriate and sexualised. This sounds … Read more

Sara laments the damage to her little toe that got no roast beef, “… and it was on my birthday!” she punctuates the story. No, she hadn’t been drinking… The team debate the idea of drinking at work, particularly when it is distributed. Sara describes a case when a teacher concluded his remote video call with … Read more

“These lawyer boys are like Teflon,” Sara labels, “You see? There you go again– deflection! That is deflection number 02 this morning,” she accuses Alan. After discussing Alan’s adventures, soaring above the lush, grassy, green, open paddocks of Tasmania and Trajce’s newfound love of the Reformer and his Pilates socks, the team venture into workplace … Read more

“I have injury statistics on teachers,” invites Sara, “Tell me how is it that they are struck by flying objects? Hit by projectiles!” That question leads to confessions by the boys as they recall their school days. Sara remembers her Italian language teacher who used to throw chalk at students. “It’s the reverse now!” exclaims … Read more

Season 05 Episode 01: Citizen Control. “Consultation – meh! Peh!” complains Sara, with disdain. “There is a lot of corporate hazing and gaslighting,” reflects Trajce. This episode was prompted by the presentation by Dr Elise Crawford of Central Queensland University. Elise spoke on her research of worker particpation in their work design during the Human … Read more

The team discuss the casualised work phenomenon introduced in a rampant way during the pandemic, causing the management of distributed work and the advent of remote video call meetings. Trajce discloses one of his secret nicknames, The Count von Count from Sesame Street, which is met by Alan and Sara’s appreciative laughter now that the … Read more

WARNING: This episode discusses workplace injury “Never smile at a crocodile,” chimes Alan. This episode speaks on working with critters; the first, a case of two soldiers attacked by a crocodile in Far North Queensland. Comcare charged the Australian Department of Defense for breaching federal work and safety laws for failing to maintain a safe system … Read more

WARNING: This episode discusses fatalities Alan reflects on the prosecutions and pending coronial inquest on the fatalities of the six Tasmanian children with three more children injured while playing in jumping castles during their school fair. “The judgement on the facts is pending,” Alan explained, “and there are no industrial manslaughter judgements in Tasmania.” The … Read more

WARNING: Suicide is discussed in this episode. Alan introduces a model of prosecution adopted by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator that provides guidance to industry and focuses on the most important prosecutorial issues. Alan and Trajce dream of dismantling ideological boundaries so that business and industry can return to the fundamental questions on, “What is … Read more

CAUTION: This episode speaks on near miss harm of a child. This episode speaks on the first pillar of work design, workplace protections, and the sociopolitical influences of worker empowerment. Thank you to subscriber, David Denoux, who shared his story on construction work and safety concerns. “If something goes wrong, terribly wrong, it will change your … Read more

Season 04 Episode 08: This episode covers two main topics. The first, thanks to our subscriber Andrew Nicholls, a design and technology teacher and researcher, who informed us of his work to advocate for the provision of personal protective equipment to technology and design staff, or any working party who needs it, by the schools. … Read more

Season 04 Episode 07: This episode stemmed from conversations with Dylan Matthews of the BHP FutureFit Academy on the seemingly innocent and instructive applications of the Hierarchy of Controls (HOC) in safety management: elimination, substitution, isolation, engineering, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (ESIEAP – ‘Every Sunday I Eat A Pie’). Trajce is fired up … Read more

WARNING: A fatality and suicide are discussed in this episode. “We’re all human,” Alan explains, “even during our methane messaging” as he details the news story of U.S. Biden administration’s climate envoy, John Kerry, delivering a passionate speech on climate change in the most awkward exchange that was captured on film. The idea of ‘messaging’ … Read more

WARNING: Suicide is mentioned in this episode Trajce introduces the idea of psychosocial factors causing work-related mental health disorders and psychological injury claims in a case in Victoria that led to the regulator’s prosecution of the workplace. Alan reminds us that in this case the worker committed suicide, and even though this was not found … Read more

“It’s time to put the lid on dust,” Trajce advocates. Engineered stone, silica exposures, this has all been in the media of late. The trio, Alan, Trajce, and Sara, discuss who is vulnerable to these exposures and why, and what are the most pervasive causes. Trajce argues that the regulators must not demonise one hazard … Read more

Sara provokes thought on rites of passage by asking, “What are we holding on to in work and education simply because of a social construct established by a rite of passage?” and, “Are the rites of passage of old still useful now?” Sara challenges the notion of adhering to rites of passage versus embracing transformative, … Read more

Sara speaks about a WooFA (WFA) experience while walking her dog mid-work break when a bulldog muscled its way up a drive and launched into an attack on her dog. The boys, Alan and Trajce, discuss employer liabilities, and Sara reminds the boys that businesses like Joanna Clough’s, “The Dog Safe Workplace”, were established to … Read more

“I’m a GIF gal and you are emoji men,” says Sara. “Is it the eggplant emoji?” she teases. Trajce rolls his eyes and, in his exasperation, argues that it takes 3 seconds for the conversation to devolve among our trio. “I wouldn’t know,” he says, “it is just a nightshade fruit to me.”Trajce limits his … Read more

Season 03 Episode 12: “To PPE or not to PPE?” asks Sara. No matter the philosophy driving work practice, a business is always tested at the pointy end of the law when the boundaries of work, health, and safety are pushed. The team debate the mandates for the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Sara … Read more

WARNING: This episode discusses a fatality. The team lament the phenomenon of media reporting in an article about the public strain caused by grocery delivery delays. The cause of the delays was a fatality in a national grocer’s distribution and warehouse centre. “It’s not about the Brussels sprouts,” says Alan. Trajce is infuriated, “What about … Read more

WARNING: confronting content is discussed in this episode. “The triad of power, knowledge, and truth espoused by a politician, medical specialist, or famous person reflects a privileged position,” explains Trajce, “and it is most alarming when these people leverage these attributes to achieve their nefarious deeds.” He explains his angst that the 1943 ‘Maslow’s Hierarchy … Read more

Season 03 Episode 09: “Men can be challenged by their role expectations in society,” Alan reasons. Sara asks the boys to define ‘precarious manhood.’ She presents the idea of a pervasive culture of masculinity, in sport, at work, and in relationships. “The idea of ‘bigger, better, and rougher’ can be aspirational,” Trajce presents. Sara argues … Read more

Season 03 Episode 08: The boys query the symbolism of the size of the truck. “The bigger the truck, the smaller the…” muses Sara. “Supersize me! Raptor, Ram,” Trajce rolls the names across his tongue with a guttural snarl. A truck and its accessories are one’s identity, a sign of masculinity, and status for some … Read more

WARNING: Fatalities are discussed in this episode. “I didn’t really read the article, I just looked at the pictures,” admits Trajce. Alan and Sara burst into fits of laughter while Sara admits that she reads the comics before the news. Sara recounts a tale of tennis players who recall the play-by-play points of their matches, … Read more

WARNING: Fatalities are discussed in this episode. Trajce regales the story of the octopus ride at the amusement park: its carriage uncoupled from the main support arm and slid down side show alley. “Are you serious?” asks Sara, “That is out of a movie.” “A guilty plea, mea culpa,” says Trajce. “You know what was … Read more

WARNING – fatalities are discussed. Alan explains the current court case concerning the Whakaari / White Island volcano and discusses thrill-based recreational activities that can subject tourists to catastrophic events. “The island was smouldering like a magic dragon,” Sara elaborates. “I’ve been there!” exclaims Trajce. Trajce recounts his motivation to visit Whakaari by chartered helicopter … Read more

Season 03 Episode 04: We ask: “Who is at the heartbeat of your organisation?” In healthcare, that is often the nurse. Alan, Trajce, and Sara review complaints that were made by nursing staff to the regulator when hospital management announced their fitout of a nurses’ station that would remove a counter barrier. “It must be … Read more

Season 03 Episode 03 Reflects on Alan, Sara, and Trajce’s early, childhood career interests and extends the Season 02 discussions on getting along with our colleagues. “Work is work.” says Trajce, “but within that work construct… we must essentially get along.” Alan contends that respect must be upheld in social relations at work, whether you … Read more

Season 03 Episode 02 reflects on vicarious trauma in the workplace. Alan recaps on mental health first aid programming and the boundaries around that service scope requiring effective referrals to qualified and trained healthcare professionals. When the crew consider their work from home ideals, Sara dreams of her backyard spa, sauna, and wet kitchen for … Read more

“The stripper keeps coming back, straight out of the bottle,” says Alan. “You do not carve another man’s turkey,” is the meme entertained by Sara, as she reflects on a work party gone wrong. There were no boundaries and no planning, and the staff was teaming with Maslow’s hierarchy of primal needs: hunger! “Does the … Read more

Season 2 Episode 14: The river otter, the wise owl, and the transformation of a deer to a stag and back again. When ‘fuzzy science’ can be meaningful in terms of personality profiles, values, and our behaviours. Why not have fun and reflect on who we are, how we are, and why? This episode reveals … Read more

Season 02 Episode 13: This episode is dedicated to our teaching community. The podcast crew acknowledge that generalised stress can lead to dissociated behaviours and odd events can arise, like it did in the story of salmon stuffed in the professor’s pocket in a grocery store. Stress froths over in funny ways. Sara discusses the … Read more

Season 02 Episode 12: Worker health and wellbeing on the moon and in outer space: Can you dream it? “You can’t escape the iron cage of health and wellbeing,” says Trajce. “Not a cage, an opportunity,” Sara implores, as she imagines working on the technical requirements for the astronauts during their extra vehicular activity (‘EVA’) … Read more

Season 2 Episode 11: WARNING: A fatality is discussed in this episode. “Back to your techno days, Trajce,” says Alan. “I have a friend who organises amazing movie stunts,” says Sara. “Are you up for a ‘burn’?” asks Trajce. “With gel lathered all over the body and you light yourself on fire?” queries Sara, “I’ll … Read more

Season 2 Episode 10: The Matryoshka dolls keep opening. The podcast explores the ugly realities of the yoga guru fat shamer, the exposures when people subject themselves to reality TV, and more blurred lines when it comes to acceptable social boundaries. ‘Don’t push the envelope, don’t say it,” warns Trajce. ‘But if you say the … Read more

Season 02 Episode 09: “No more shoddy light fittings in hotel rooms!” exclaims Alan, “(I guess that) for any accommodation provider, there may be some bedroom activities (and) the bed must be strong.” “Honeymoon suite,” says Trajce. Sara laments the boundaries that erode during work travel and shares some stories about fruit and chocolate left … Read more

Season 02 Episode 08: Trajce ruminates over his fascination (read: obsession) with reality TV. He’s even written a book on it! The crew, Alan, Trajce, and Sara discuss reality TV and the phenomena of naming and shaming. “I can see how the camera person may be considered a worker (under current health and safety legislation),” … Read more

WARNING: This episode contains confronting material. Season 02 Episode 07 explores work travel antics and the mishaps that can occur when an employer expects workers to share a room. Sleep disorders are mentioned, though alcohol is a prevailing theme in this story of mishap. Sara reminds Trajce and Alan about an old state government jingle, … Read more

WARNING: This episode discusses work venues that commercialise sex as their trade. There are sexual overtones in the discussions.  Season 02 Episode 06: How are you going to risk assess the work of sex workers? “Sometimes the legal structure is too good for it’s own good,” says Alan. When you operate with blurred lines in … Read more

WARNING:  This episode discusses work venues that commercialise sex as their trade. Season 02 Episode 05: Alan annunciates ‘c-o-u-g-a-r’ in honeyed tones…“Silicon chip inside her head” (not inside her hip!) – the lyrics – Trajce finally realises the lyrics in Bob Geldof and the Boom Town Rat’s song, but laments that ‘hip’ would rhyme better … Read more

Season 02 Episode 04: The crew discuss the work-from-anywhere phenomenon in sport when the enforcement of work health safety regulations is a reluctant approach and we (society) want the fight of sport to occur on the field. “This is food for thought”, says Trajce, “criminal law (sanctions) can still apply to illegal acts occurring on … Read more

WARNING – A FATALITY IS DISCUSSED Season 02 Episode 03: Bouldering is now an Olympic Sport. It’s time to crush the yellow, blue, green, white, and black in bouldering (like black belts!). What about when the sporting field or the tennis court  is your workplace? “Aggression and the will to fight is part of the … Read more

WARNING – A FATALITY IS DISCUSSED Season 02 Episode 02: The wheels are slow to turn in the Hollywood industry to minimise risk on the set of television or movies. Harrison Ford is injured on a Star Wars set in the Millennium Falcon, Alec Baldwin was involved in an on-set fatality, and there are material … Read more

Season 02 Episode 01 describes how the podcasters, Alan, Sara, and Trajce met. The crew discuss the vulnerabilities of the human experience through storytelling. Trajce reflects on his career love of music production, Sara talks about her yoga practice, and Alan reveals his interest in agriculture and his vintage tractor operations. During these reflections, the … Read more

Psychosocial wellbeing and design for diversity Season 01 Episode 12 challenges cultural approaches to conflict. The emotional experience is a reality, and we are emotional beings. In workplace law, Alan reminds us that workers might not realise that they are triggering emotional responses among workmates. Sensory processing is yet another facet of understanding the reality … Read more

Interpersonal conflict at work In Season 01 Episode 11, Trajce and Alan probe perceptions among workers and the impacts on workers in toxic workplaces. Camera footage tells one story but cannot reveal worker vulnerabilities and perceptions that arise when toxicity has eroded interpersonal relationships. Trajce and Alan unpack the conflicts that can occur at work, … Read more

Workplace design for performance In Season 01 Episode 10, we pursue the end game of good work design. We suggest that workplaces build purchase, agency, and capability in work design throughout their organisation, propped by conventional designers and,  yes, the lawyers also to help predict and defend against safety-critical events. Sara prompts listeners to think … Read more

Technology at work A choodle or a poowawa? Hybrid dogs or hybrid work, it’s all up for laughs in Season 01 Episode 09! When we design good work it requires science, expertise, consultation, and engagement with subject matter experts, coupled with an inventive mind (which means a workplace that tolerances ‘fuzzy work’ where we can … Read more

Workplace fatigue Season 01 Episode 08 tells a tale of a tragic road rage story, the complexity of fatigue, shift work, and high performance versus coping. The over-productive worker and those who approach burn-out are examined. Fatigue can seem invisible, so how do we examine the symptoms when we work from anywhere? Ultimate, we ask: … Read more

Mental health and working anywhere and everywhere Seaso 01 Episode 07 discusses health in the built environment, from the office space to the home space. The air that I breath and the water that I drink: how is this ensured in the home working environment? What about the potential risk of exposure to domestic violence? … Read more

We explore how to connect, consult, and engage with workers Season 01 Episode 06 discusses candor at work and how to be real. We encourage employers to discuss the messy realities of work. Candor is a two-way street and effective pathways are needed to discuss ‘what’s what’ in a frank and open manner. We encourage … Read more

When work exposes you to the dark side of life Season 01 Episode 05 challenges listeners to think about highly confronting scenarios. We caution that the episode discusses suicide and exposure to horrific scenarios, like child pornography and abuse. This is addressed because this is a reality of work for many people, including those who … Read more

Voluntary acceptance of risk at work Season 01 Episode 04 explores voluntarily acceptances of risk. Does your employer specify, “Don’t have rigorous sex while travelling for work?”, or “Please do not wear stilettos else risk a fall”. Are we alert or should we be alarmed? From work parties, travel, to rock concerts, this discussion challenges … Read more

There are fleas all over it Season 01 Episode 03 examines the work-from-home phenomenon and the ambiguity around what is permissible for home luxuries and work requirements. “There are fleas all over it”, says Alan, when considering what to do with the dog at home, the boundaries of work and home life, and the freedoms … Read more

Wildlife at the workplace and wild experiences like when mishaps occur with sex during work travel Season 01 Episode 02 stirs up the hornet’s nest and discusses the busy, busy, bee-siness of work travel, sex, bee stings (unrelated), and the avatars that we choose to represent ourselves in our workplace chat rooms. Injuries can occur … Read more

When a workplace Christmas party gets a little slippery Season 01 Episode 01 invites listeners to consider what happens when a celebration like a Christmas party or social gathering goes seriously wrong. There can be blurred lines, drinking, nudity, giggles, and the assumptions that everyone in the team wants to party in the same way … Read more