Victoria's new Occupational Health and Safety (Psychological Health) Regulations

The Victorian Government has announced new regulations strengthening how psychosocial hazards are managed by the end of the year. These regulations will put psychosocial hazards on the same footing as physical ones. They create specific obligations for Victorian employers to identify and control psychosocial hazards in their workplaces.

Based on the consultation draft, it is expected that the changes will include employers being requiring to:

• identify psychosocial hazards
• identify, and minimise risks
  continually review and reassess risks and measure to control risks
  
  The draft regulation also propose that employers will be required to:
• put in place prevention plans for identified psychosocial hazards (aggression or violence, bullying, exposure to traumatic events or content, high job demands and sexual harrassment and
• if an employer is an "applicable employer" (defined as an employer with 50 or more employees during a reporting period) who has received any psychosocial complaint during the reporting period, must provide a written report to WorkSafe that addresses specific questions about the complaint

Disclaimer: This does not purport to be comprehensive or to render legal advice. You should not act based on any information contained in this publication without first obtaining specific professional advice. Consult your legal advisor to determine if this applies to you.