Preparing for the Proposed Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Psychological Health) Regulations - Part 2

Impacts for the Victorian Aquatics and Recreation Industry

In March 2023, ARV ran an in-person forum for the industry on the Proposed Victorian OHS (Psychological Health) Amendment Regulations (Proposed Regulations). We received great feedback on this forum, including requests to hold a second forum.

ARV will be holding Part 2 to this forum on Wednesday 14th June 2023.

This forum will be a practical session regarding prevention of the “Big 5” psychosocial hazards: aggression or violence, exposure to traumatic events or content, bullying, sexual harassment, and high job demands. There will be a focus on group discussion and sharing of resources.

In person seminar

Under current Victorian Occupational Health & Safety laws, employers must, so far as reasonably practicable, provide and maintain a working environment that is safe and without risks to employee’s health. Health includes psychological health.

The Victorian Government’s Proposed Regulations provide clearer guidance to employers regarding their duties to protect workers from mental injuries in the workplace.

The Proposed Regulations will require businesses to proactively manage and mitigate psychological hazards in the workplace, and include an obligation to: identify hazards; implement risk controls; develop a prevention plan; and, where appropriate, report on psychological health data.

The Seminar

To assist in this space, ARV is hosting a seminar led by ARV’s Mental Health Clinician/Consultant, Adele Bergin. Adele is a registered psychologist who has spent the last 10 years researching the impacts of psychosocial hazards on employee mental health. Adele will be joined by two members of the industry to discuss the preparations they are currently making for the Proposed Regulations.

The seminar will provide an opportunity for members to collaborate on the practical strategies they use to control for psychosocial hazards in their workplace, to help keep all employees in our industry safe.

Current Status of the Regulations

The Victorian Government is currently considering stakeholder feedback on the Proposed Regulations, with progress due to continue in 2023. Other states including NSW and Qld have already adopted new OHS regulations to recognise psychosocial hazards in the workplace and require business to implement control measures to manage risks. It is expected that Victoria will not be too far behind. You can keep up to date with the regulations here. 

For More Information:

For more information, reach out to ARV’s Mental Health Clinician/Consultant, Adele Bergin by email on abergin@aquaticsandrecreation.org.au or phone: 0447 331 845

Access more information about the Proposed Regulation in ARV's Wellbeing Hub here.