On Tuesday 7 May 2024, SafeWork issued 3 PINs (Provisional Improvement Notices) relating to psychosocial issues originating from the Coffs Harbour Community Corrections Office.

PINs, which are required to be displayed in a prominent place in the workplace, are issued when there is a belief that the PCBU are contravening a provision of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.  These 3 PINs describe that workers have been exposed to a risk to their health and safety from:

• inadequate management of psychosocial hazards, including inconsistent or unfair management of work performance or workplace behaviours, due to the current system of work not adequately identifying such hazards or appropriately responding to reports of harm arising from exposure those hazards.
• inadequate provision of information training and instruction regarding the management of psychosocial hazards in the workplace including inconsistent or unfair management of work performance or workplace behaviours.
• inadequate systems concerning the management of psychosocial hazards.

Community Corrections have been given a number of directions, which include:

• CSNSW must review and revise the current systems of work to adequately characterise and identify psychosocial hazards and demonstrate to all workers how reports of exposure to psychological hazards will be managed and responded to at the workplace.
• In doing so, CSNSW must review and where necessary, update current policies and procedures that relate to psychosocial hazards (including bullying), and provide workers with clear reporting procedures and how reports of exposure to psychosocial hazards will be managed.
• CSNSW must provide specific information, training and instruction to all workers, to be delivered by a competent person, in the management of psychosocial hazards and associated risks in the workplace.
• Training must have consideration of all aspects of managing psychosocial risks, including:

1. the identification of hazards,
2. witnessing and receipt of disclosures of exposure of workers to hazards,
3. control measures to eliminate risks or minimise risks so far as is reasonably practicable,
4. revised applicable policies and procedures
5. revised reporting pathways, both internal and external.

• CSNSW must implement control measures with regard to clause 55D of the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017 to manage risks associated with psychosocial hazards including to manage the risk of inconsistent and/or unfair management of work performance and/or workplace behaviours to:

1. Eliminate psychosocial hazards in the workplace so far as is reasonably practicable
2. If it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate psychosocial hazards, you must minimise the risks of exposure to psychosocial hazards so far as is reasonably practicable.

• In determining the control measures to implement, CSNSW must have regard to Part 3.1 of the WHS Regulation 2017 other than clause 36.
• In determining the control measures to implement, the person must have regard to all relevant matters listed in clause 55D of the WHS Regulation 2017.
• CSNSW must consult with workers at all stages during the process and ensure workers are trained regarding any changes implemented.

Response must not blame complainants.

The PSA is writing to CSNSW to understand how they plan to comply with these directions, and what changes will be implemented in order to protect staff from psychological injury and ensure their safety at work. These systems should be reviewed across every Community Corrections Office to ensure that CSNSW are meeting their legally enforceable WHS responsibilities right across the state.

The PSA will not accept any response that aims to blame the brave staff who may have submitted complaints.  Senior Management must take responsibility for the many failures outlined in the PINs including that a previous investigation into bullying and inappropriate behavious in 2022 did not specifically address psychosocial hazards, nor result in the implementation of appropriate controls to eliminate or minimise the risks of exposure, resulting in harm to workers continuing to 2024.

Concerns of PSA recognised

The issuing of the PIN confirms the concerns of PSA delegates and Industrial Staff and the issues they have been raising in regards to the health and safety of workers across Community Corrections.  The PSA have written specifically in regard to inadequate workplace investigations into bullying, and the associated risk of psychological injury to our members. Now that SafeWork have issued these PINs, it is vital that Community Corrections respond and review their systems for managing psychosocial risks right across the state.

Unfortunately bullying, harassment and the risk of psychological injury are not isolated to Coffs Harbour. Members in other workplaces with similar WHS concerns should consult with their Health and Safety Representative and the PSA as a first step. The PSA will also provide support and advice to members seeking the intervention of SafeWork to address WHS concerns.