Many successive zoom meetings can overload employees in the home office. Fatigue and exhaustion are the result, especially since the human brain can only absorb a certain amount of information.

If the work environment in the home office is also noisy and there are few retreats for undisturbed video conferencing, such a permanent state can also lead to symptoms of fatigue, because the human brain, like the working memory of a computer, only has a limited capacity to temporarily store a large amount of information.

Schedule more breaks between meetings and shorter conferences

The German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) has published a practical aid as a free PDF booklet on its website, which is intended to encourage deeper reflection on one's own behavior when conducting online meetings.

The booklet summarizes how a "zoom fatigue" syndrome manifests itself, points out the physical stress factors and lists some concrete tips on possible measures: for example, by planning shorter meetings, optimally setting up the hardware for trouble-free operation, planning various breaks between meetings and how to consciously change the screen view, since the self-view unsettles some participants. The bottom line is that these are simple measures that can reduce fatigue syndromes.

The practical aid Check-Up "Zoom-Fatigue" is barrier-free as PDF under this link available.

Source: DGUV

In an e-mail with an attached PDF in French and using the logos of Police.ch as well as Cybercrimepolice.ch, fraudsters are currently claiming to be guilty of distributing pedophile content on the Internet, as Cybercrimepolice.ch writes. The website usually warns of fraud attempts on behalf of the Zurich Cantonal Police itself.

The scammers write that you have committed a crime and should report to the e-mail address provided. If this is not done within 48 hours, a penalty order will be issued, the spam mail continues.

The Cantonal Police advises to ignore the email, mark it as spam and delete it, and in no case to reply to this mail.

Source: cybercrimepolice.ch

It happens quickly. You want to mount a lamp on a ladder, go up and down stairs or do the shopping and already during a self-evident everyday activity an accident occurs, be it by falling from a height, on the stairs or by tripping on the same level: every year such accidents cause about 16,000 serious injuries and 1700 deaths, according to the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (BFU). We also fall particularly frequently at home. According to the BFU, two-thirds of fall accidents do not occur from a height, but precisely when one would least expect it. The causes of falls vary and can also have to do with the nature of the floors. However, a good workout and plenty of balance can help prevent them, so that they can catch themselves in time, because falls can be particularly consequential in older years. Regular, targeted training of balance, strength and cognitive-motor skills is needed, the BFU writes in a statement. Against this background, the three institutions BFU, Pro Senectute and Health Promotion Switzerland have launched the campaign be safe.ch launched, which provides some tips and courses on a website.

Five good resolutions are definitely useful for the year, he said:

• Exercise regularly
• Exercise three times a week for 30 minutes with balance and strength
• Get advice on training from a professional if needed
• possibly participate in a guided group training and also train at home
• avoid any trip hazards at home

Source: AAIB

As of now, Swiss army personnel are no longer allowed to use the widely used WhatsApp for communication with other army personnel. The army staff instructed all commanders and chiefs of staff at the end of December to use WhatsApp only for communication with private smartphones with immediate effect, as the "Tages-Anzeiger" writes. The Threema service order came via email, in which a clear WhatsApp ban was issued.

As the army spokesman says when asked by the newspaper, the Threema app convinced the Swiss military for data protection reasons. Since the company is not based in Switzerland, it is not subject to the "Cloud Act" like American companies. Another reason, he said, is the possibility of anonymous use. The app also complies with the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and is subject to Swiss jurisdiction.

All other messenger services such as WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram have no longer been allowed in the Swiss army since the beginning of the year. From now on, the entire militia army is to use Threema. However, radios and tap-proof data lines will continue to be operated independently.

Source: SDA/Watson

As a study by Deloitte shows, Swiss citizens still have little trust and also many reservations when it comes to using e-government services. A majority of respondents have doubts about data protection and general cyber security. These doubts arise above all when it comes to digital services for taxes, digital signatures or ordering a passport. According to the survey, 28 percent have reservations about data protection and 25 percent expressed concerns about a lack of data security.

Swiss citizens consider the aspect of data privacy and data security to be particularly sensitive when it comes to topics such as taxes and legally binding signatures. Around one-third of respondents see problems with data protection or data security (38% and 33%).

Feedback culture could improve trust

The Deloitte study concludes that citizens need to be met more where their concerns and the resulting barriers to use are greatest. The issue of cybersecurity, for example, should not be treated as a purely technical IT problem. Human aspects such as emotions, trust and the subjective feeling of security must also be taken into account. In particular, the training of administrative employees is important.

However, the survey results suggest that positive experiences appease citizens if they had used a digital service at least once. Those users would also increasingly perceive the benefits of a digital service as such, the study continues. Also, if citizens were involved in a feedback culture, trust in the service would improve.

Source: Deloitte 

Shortly before Christmas, the Federal Council passed a new ordinance on e-bike traffic regulations. By April 2024, all e-bikers are to be subject to mandatory speed limits. Vehicles already owned by e-bikers will have to be retrofitted by April 2027. In addition, mandatory daytime lighting will be introduced.

As before, most skidding or self-inflicted accidents occur in connection with e-bike riders. At higher speeds, the braking distance increases and there is little time to react properly. The number of serious injuries increased from 201 to 521 accidents since 2016 (2020).

Source: SDA, Blick/Tagesanzeiger

Inadequate respirators are a high risk in view of the pandemic. "It becomes dangerous when people wear inadequate FFP2 respirators and think they are in a false sense of security," emphasizes André Meier, head of the Lucerne occupational safety and health department at Suva.

13 defective products removed from the market

In 2021, Suva initiated a total of sales bans and recalls for 13 products that showed insufficient protective efficacy in laboratory testing. The defective masks have since been removed from the market.

As Suva further writes, the quality of FFP2 respirators available on the market has increased significantly compared to the situation in July 2022. In addition to quality, the general availability of respirators in the Swiss market has also increased in recent months.

When does an FPP2 mask protect? 

FFP2 respirators generally offer better protection than hygiene masks. It is important that it is worn correctly. The following points must be observed:

• When selecting respirators, make sure they are compliant.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the correct use of the FFP2 respirator.
• In particular, the mask must fit tightly to the face (stubble already affects the protective effect) and the nose clip must be adapted to the shape of the face.
• The inside of the mask must be clean. Change the mask if it becomes dirty.

Source: Suva

Originally announced for January 26 and 27, 2022, the two Easyfairs parallel trade fairs, Empack and Logistics & Automation, have since been rescheduled and will now take place on 30/31 March 2022 will take place in Bern. The organizers are convinced that holding the event in the spring of 2022 is in the "best interests of the market" in order to ensure lively and carefree participation by presenters and trade visitors, according to a statement.

On the two days of Logistics & Automation, the focus will be on various well-known exhibitors from the field of automated warehousing and materials handling technology. A new special feature is the dedicated "Transport & Delivery" area as a knowledge and technology exchange for the Swiss logistics, distribution and intralogistics community in 2022.

The parallel trade show Empack is considered an industry meeting place for the Swiss packaging scene. In addition to a proven supporting program, the Swiss Packaging Institute SVI will also be hosting the "Packaging Talks". The format primarily aims to provide first-hand expert knowledge from the packaging industry.

www.empack-schweiz.ch

www.logistics-automation.ch

Employees should return to work as much as possible in the home office, depending on the workplace conditions. However, many employees do not necessarily perceive mobile work per se as more stressful - mostly this is due to the working conditions or the lack of social contacts, as a German study reveals.

According to a survey conducted by the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) from October 6 to October 13, 2021, almost two-thirds of the approximately 1,000 employees surveyed perceive the "stress" in their home retreat to be constant.

For 30.6 percent of respondents, however, the stress of working from home had increased. Only 10.7 percent of respondents state that the stress of working from home has decreased. About half of the survey participants said they lacked social balance with colleagues. Another stress factor for 30.2 percent of respondents is the increasing lack of exercise at the desk at home. For 30.2 percent, the mixing of work and private life is an additional burden, because the additional isolation can also increase psychological stress in some people, according to the survey.

Source/text: DGUV / Editorial arbeitssicherheit.de (SL)

Due to the current Covid 19 situation, the conditions for an official permit to hold Swissbau in January 2022 are not met, he said, writes MCH Swiss Exhibition (Basel) Ltd. It has therefore been decided to postpone Switzerland's largest platform for the construction and real estate industry: The event will now be held in Basel from Tuesday, May 3 to Friday, May 6, 2022.

The exhibitors are behind the decision: In initial discussions with leading exhibitors from all sectors, despite the great disappointment, there was also clear support for a postponement to next spring, as the organizers emphasize.

Security Congress: new data

The Safety Congress, organized by Save AG, should have been held in parallel with Swissbau. It will also be postponed and will now take place on the Swissbau dates in May 2022. Due to the postponement, there may be slight changes to the program, according to Save AG.

For more info on the fair: www.swissbau.ch

For more info on the Safety Congress: www.save.ch

The Federal Customs Administration (FCA) will be renamed the "Federal Office for Customs and Border Security" (FCO) as of January 1, 2022. The Federal Council already made the corresponding decisions on June 12, 2020. The name change is now taking place gradually, according to a federal release. The website has already been updated to www.bazg.admin.ch converted.

All BAZG applications are also affected by the changeover and will gradually be adapted to the new naming, including the customs clearance app Quickzoll for travel.

The entire changeover is taking place as part of the digitization and transformation program Dazit. The new Federal Office for Customs and Border Security also says that the standardized job description "Specialist Customs and Border Security" should enable a quick and flexible reaction to changes in the situation and contribute to an essential security of Switzerland.

Source: Federal Office for Customs and Border Security

In a new Report of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work examines the links between psychosocial factors and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the workplace, using data from the current European Working Conditions Survey and the European Business Survey on New and Emerging Risks.

It finds that some psychosocial factors - such as working hours, job security and management support - have a greater impact on MSDs than sociodemographic, country-specific or industry-related factors. This means that workplace-level interventions to manage and eliminate psychosocial risks can be very effective in preventing MSDs.

The report notes the importance of holistic risk assessments and creating a healthy corporate culture to mitigate psychosocial and MSD risks and improve worker well-being.

Source: OSHA