Browsing: Psychological injuries | Page 1

A worker who claimed his managers bullied him for not saying hello to colleagues did not suffer a compensable psychological injury, according to a tribunal, which found the man's condition was caused by his "inherent maladaptive personality characteristics".

• Twenty worst workplace hazards revealed in WA; and
  
• "Safe way or no way" campaign targets PPE and more in NSW.

Work-focused support programs can help workers with common mental disorders return to work, but employers should be aware of the ethical considerations arising from their use, researchers say.

Australia's WHS and workers' compensation ministers have agreed to: work towards a major asbestos-removal plan targeting commercial buildings; implement WHS provisions to further crack down on silica risks; and reinstate the push for a national approach to protecting the psychological safety of first responders.

Employers have been urged to create proper onboarding programs for new managers, and give them the skills to manage up, with a large proportion of new middle managers being unprepared for their responsibilities and experiencing burnout.

Ahead of Workers' Memorial Day, and in light of the recent stabbing deaths at Westfield Bondi Junction, employers have been urged to ensure they always have clear emergency safety plans in place, and provide workers with access to psychological support services.

More than 70 per cent of the world's workers are exposed to health, safety and mental health risks created by climate change, which extend way beyond excessive heat, the International Labour Organisation has warned.

A worker who was bullied and called a "s-x offender" by colleagues, after being charged with historical abuse offences, has been awarded compensation for a psychological injury, with a commission hearing the bullying included being excluded from Christmas functions, and dismissing the employer's reasonable action defence.

• New injury definitions to trigger litigation in Vic; and
  
• WHS barrister announced as IRC President in restored NSW regime.

Injured workers, and their employers, will be better protected from costly secondary psychological injuries by new provisions requiring insurers to actively provide early intervention services. The provisions are included in a Queensland Bill, which also creates Australia's longest list of cancers presumed, for workers' comp purposes, to be caused by firefighting duties.