The Allan Labor Government is continuing to keep workers safe - backing a new initiative to help create mentally healthy workplaces across the aged care and disability service sectors.
Deputy Premier and Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC Ben Carroll today announced $1.6 million in funding to support collaboration between peak bodies and industry to find practical ways to prevent work-related mental injury.
This investment in the WorkWell Communities of Practice program will support the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) and the National Disability Services (NDS) to increase leadership and best practice across these sectors to prevent psychosocial hazards.
APNA will run workshops and coaching sessions with employers across 15 residential aged care homes. Learnings will be shared across the sector to influence policies and standards.
NDS will work with employers in the disability sector - through workshops and seminars - to build a shared understanding of current psychological health challenges in the industry.
Health care and social assistance workers account for over a quarter of all accepted WorkCover claims for mental injury in Victoria over the past five years. This includes 362 mental injury claims from workers in residential aged care sector and 292 from workers in the disability assistance services sector.
Work-related factors that increase the risk of mental injury include hazards like bullying, workplace violence, aggression, sexual harassment, trauma, high job demand and fatigue.
WorkSafe's WorkWell program has engaged with more than 16,000 workplaces since its 2017 launch, providing support and guidance to reduce work-related risks to mental health through grants, learning networks and resources.
The investment in WorkSafe's WorkWell program builds on the Government's commitment to introduce new regulations requiring employers to identify and manage psychosocial hazards in their workplaces, recognising them as equally important as physical risks. The new regulations will come into effect before the end of the year.
For more information about the WorkWell Communities of Practice program visit worksafe.vic.gov.au
As stated by Deputy Premier and Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC Ben Carroll
"Disability and aged care workers support some of the most vulnerable people in our community, so it's vital that employers support them by providing mentally health workplaces that actively prevent harm."
"This initiative will bring together leaders in these key industries to collaborate on strategies and tools that they can share to help care for the carers - so that they can get on with the crucial job of looking after those in need."
As stated by WorkSafe Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin
"Having a workplace that actively identifies and addresses work-related psychological health hazards has huge benefits for workers, employers and for the community."
"That's why WorkSafe's WorkWell program continues to support industry through partnerships, collaborations and learning opportunities such as the Communities of Practice to drive industry-wide, systems level change."
