SafeWork NSW expands inspectorate to focus on psychological health at work
SafeWork New South Wales is recruiting additional inspectors to focus on psychosocial health as part of its efforts to address hazards and compliance in workplaces.
The work health and safety regulator said in a statement that it will be recruiting 51 new inspector roles, including 20 psychosocial-focused inspectors and five psychosocial investigators.
"An expanded SafeWork NSW inspectorate sharpens the agency's focus on psychological health at work, provides dedicated resources on psychosocial injury prevention, investigations and prosecutions, and ensures employers meet their return-to-work obligations to injured workers," the NSW government said in a statement.
The recruitment is part of $127.7 million investment over the next four years to address psychosocial hazards and compliance, as well as enforcement of safe work practices.
Safe Work Australia introduced new duties for employers to manage psychosocial risks that came into effect in 2023. Under the regulations, businesses are required to manage the risk of psychosocial hazards in the workplace.
According to SafeWork Australia, psychosocial hazards may refer to bullying, harassment, low job control, lack of role clarity, inadequate reward and recognition, poor organisational justice, among other factors that could cause psychological harm to employees.
Psychological harm may include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as sleep disorders among employees.
Work Health and Safety Minister Sophie Cotsis told ABC News that the government takes psychological injury as "seriously as physical injury."
"We've seen an increase, and we're trying to manage that increase at the front end as well, at the preventative," Cotsis told the news outlet.
The boost in inspector numbers comes as the NSW government seeks to pass controversial workers' compensation measures.
Under the measures, employees seeking a compensation claim for a psychological injury caused by bullying or harassment will have to undergo an eight-week assessment process.
The bill was passed at the Lower House, but was blocked by the Upper House, which referred it to a parliamentary inquiry.
