Are your Leaders Equipped for the Mental Health Workplace Regulations?

The introduction of ISO45003 and new codes of practice have raised the focus of Health and Safety and more specifically the psychological side of safety. But these are guidelines to acceptable practice. Not necessary best practice, but follow these and you will be operating a safer workplace. In addition, there has been a greater focus legislatively and, a more stringent penalties for not getting it right, including industrial manslaughter charges. These penalties apply to individuals and fines cannot be covered by company insurance. This means that getting it wrong can impact the lives of the individual in a significant and life changing way. Businesses need to ensure that they are meeting the regulations now in place and are creating a working environment which is conducive to a safe and healthy workforce as well as meeting legal obligations. Do your PCBUs (Persons Conducting the Business or Undertaking) understand their role fully? Their primary duty of care must ensure:-

• The working environment is safe and without risks to health.

• Safe systems of work in place

• Safe storage of plant and substances

• Adequate facilities at the workplace

• Adequate information, instruction and training of all staff.

• Effective incident reporting systems in place

• Adequate maintenance of the workplace.

Ask yourself the following questions about your workplace:-

• Does your organisation have a WHS Management System and does it extend to Mental Health?

• Does your Organisation include WHS in its work design?

• Is Safety a Consultative and Collaborative topic?

• How do your Leaders and Managers support safety? Are the suitably trained to do this?

• How does WHS (including Mental Health) fit in the KPIs/OKRs?

In addition, can all your employees:-

• Identify a hazard (including psychological)?

• Assess the risk associated with that hazard?

• Put in place controls that will reduce the risk level?

• Review these controls to ensure that they are effective?

Most of these requirements should be standard for any well run organisation and hence the impact of fines and/or imprisonment will not be applicable. However, if you are in any doubt, take a look at the regulations and ensure that you can answer the above questions.

If you have any doubt, or would like to know more about your requirements as a PCBU, contact InteChange. As well as ensuring that you put these things in place, you will reap operational benefits through our People Focused Leadership approach.