Comcare Launches Psychosocial Inspection Program

Comcare launched its psychosocial inspection program, with National Director of Regulatory Programs noting:

"Comcare’s psychosocial inspection program is launching at full scale this year, and my team have been busy preparing to engage with employers."

Timing and cost

• 3 months is the total time taken from start to report delivered back to the employer.
• The first inspection is at no cost to the employer, however, if non-compliance is identified, Comcare will recover the costs of subsequent inspections through WHS variable charges.

What to have prepared

The focus is on verifying that employers have a system to manage psychosocial risks. Evidencing this goes beyond policies:

• Risk assessment: Evidence how you identify, assess, control and review hazards in consultation with staff.
• Training records: Maintain records of ongoing safety training for all employees.
• Incident reporting mechanism: Explain how there is a clear and understood process for staff to lodge a psychosocial incident.
• Health and safety policy: Your policy should explain the above components and staff should be aware of it.

Last month, we reached out to SafeWork NSW about their inspection process (response above). Across the board there is an emphasis on ensuring there is a system in place to manage psych risks. With inspectors interviewing employees, it's also important that your staff are aware of this system.

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Lastly, given the need to make employees aware, we believe one of the best ways to do so is ensure you are meeting the consultation requirement. This doesn't have to be lengthy surveys and interviews, here is a psych risk survey template you could use.

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KEEP AN EYE ON: Myosh psychosocial blindspots webinar 13 March 1pm AEST. Skodel has partnered with Myosh so their clients can utilise Skodel's 2 minute psychosocial risk survey and assessment within the Myosh platform.

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You may have noticed a different title this week and a pause in the Newsletter. We want to take a moment to remember our Julian, who was taken far too soon in a terribly unfortunate accident. One of the founders at Skodel, Julian started this Newsletter and was passionate about mental health. This Newsletter grew quickly because of his passion and we will continue that for him.

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He would always say it is 'the little things' to his partner, Brigitte and step daughter, Sofia. Doing little things that would brighten the day of others meant a lot to Jules and meant a lot to us here at Skodel. We will always love you, Jules.

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For those who knew Julian personally, you may wish to see the video we made for him HERE.