Preparing for the Proposed Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Psychological Health) Regulations

Impacts for the Victorian Aquatics and Recreation Industry

In person seminar

Under current Victorian Occupational Health & Safety laws, employers must, so far as reasonably practicable, provide and maintain a working environment that is safe and without risks to employee’s health. Health includes psychological health.

The Victorian Government’s proposed Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Psychological Health) Regulations (the Proposed Regulations) provide clearer guidance to employers regarding their duties to protect workers from mental injuries in the workplace.

The Proposed Regulations will require businesses to proactively manage and mitigate psychological hazards in the workplace, and include an obligation to: identify hazards; implement risk controls; develop a prevention plan; and, where appropriate, report on psychological health data.

The Seminar

To assist in this space, ARV is hosting a seminar led by ARV’s Mental Health Clinician/Consultant, Adele Bergin. Adele is a registered psychologist who has spent the last 10 years researching the impacts of psychosocial hazards on employee mental health. Adele will be joined by members of the industry to discuss the preparations they are currently making for the Proposed Regulations.

Seminar Content:

The seminar will help to understand the Proposed Regulations and how you can proactively manage psychosocial hazards in your workplace, including:

• What obligations will the Proposed Regulations impose?
• What is a psychosocial hazard?
• What steps can businesses take now to identify and manage psychological hazards?
• Practical tips and considerations

The seminar will provide an opportunity for members to collaborate on the practical strategies they use to control for psychosocial hazards in their workplace, to help keep all employees in our industry safe.

Current Status of the Regulations

The Victorian Government is currently considering stakeholder feedback on the Proposed Regulations, with progress on the Proposed Regulations due to continue in 2023. New South Wales has already adopted new WHS regulations to recognise psychosocial hazards in the workplace and require business to implement control measures to manage risks; and Queensland’s regulations are due to come into effect in April 2023. It is expected that Victoria will not be too far behind.

For More Information:

For more information, reach out to ARV’s Mental Health Clinician/Consultant, Adele Bergin by email on abergin@aquaticsandrecreation.org.au or phone: 0447 331 845