Compensation claims for mental health cases is soaring according to Victorian watchdog
The states workplace safety watchdog is warning mental health cases are soaring in Victoria with a “significant” increase of non-physical claims.
VIC News
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The state’s workplace safety watchdog is warning mental health cases are soaring in Victoria with a “significant” increase of non-physical claims.
WorkSafe chief executive officer Colin Radford has revealed almost one fifth of claims are now for mental injuries at work, and that employers need to be aware they will be held responsible even if there is not physical injury.
“What we are seeing is a significant increase of mental injuries rising out of the workplace,” Mr Radford said.
“Something like 16 per cent of all workplace claims, at the moment, are mental-injury only claims.
“It’s not uncommon where there is a physical injury for a mental injury to develop as a consequence, but at the moment we are seeing a very significant increase in mental-injury only.
“That can arise from bullying, that can arise from harassment, that can arise from workplace conflict.”
His comments come as the State Government launches a campaign to improve safety for young people in the workplace – who are especially at risk.
According to WorkSafe data, 50 young Victorians report an injury at work every week, which Mr Radford said was an “alarming number”.
Attorney-General and Minister for workplace safety Jill Hennessy said eight of the onsite deaths in the past two years were people aged under 21 years of age.
The campaign is designed to encourage young people to speak up about safety and also to warn employers of their responsibilities.
“We will be making sure young people are aware of what their rights are and WorkSafe will be using their inspection powers on employers who fail to take the steps necessary to make sure young people are safe.,” she said.
“We will be visiting workplaces, we will be conducting investigations and we will be prosecuting employers who do not do the right thing” she said.
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