Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L01380:reg:9:p35
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L01380
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 9 (pt 35/36)
Character Range: 241422–248545

leave or seek support where required.     •         Increasing the level of practical support available during peak workloads (increased recruitment and upskilling of personnel to provide appropriate coverage).                                                                                                                                                                                                       •         Improvements are made to consultation and monitoring of staff welfare (including psychological welfare and fatigue) – whereby regular meetings are held with supervisors. An EAP service is introduced and actively promoted. Staff rosters are closely monitored to ensure appropriate distribution of workload, and access to leave is available where needed.
Due to a recent surge in emergencies, and shortage of trained officers, staff have been required to work longer hours than usual, with fewer breaks and less time between shifts to recuperate. Staff have reported emotional and physical fatigue.     •         Increased demands arising from new systems of work and associated controls, compete with existing workloads.                                                                                                                                                                           •         Time was allocated to review new processes/systems of work in discussion with staff to improve their competence and confidence in applying these changes to their work.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         •         Additional opportunities were introduced for consultation with staff regarding support, rostering, training and other practical requirements.                                                                                                                                                                                                                      In addition, the PCBU:
Staff are regularly exposed to physical and biological hazards within their work, and supply shortages have impacted the availability of PPE.                                                                                                         Exposure to violence and traumatic events:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         •         Adjusting work processes where possible and providing alternative PPE.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               •         Ensures reported incidents are investigated and feedback on investigations and response to incidents is provided to workers.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        •         Workers experience ongoing exposure to trauma and death which can have a cumulative effect on them. Workers responding to incidents are also at high risk of injury themselves.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       •         Undertakes work to improve the incident reporting system and encourage reporting of all incidents and near misses.
High workloads and/or new policies requiring increased documentation frustrate and confuse workers and increase their physical and cognitive demands.                                                                                                   •         Workers have regular exposure to both threats and actual violence from the public.                                                                                                                                                                                                   Exposure to traumatic events and work-related violence and aggression was managed by:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            •         Addresses supply chain issues and delays to ensure staff have access to appropriate resources.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         •         Rostering adequate worker numbers to take into account new systems of work, staff skills mix, and to ensure there are adequately trained workers on all shifts to respond effectively to violent and/or traumatic incidents.
These shortages have also increased the level of exposure to work-related violence and aggression, due to increased wait times and delays in response.                                                                                                Low control:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       •         Implementing regular supervision and consultation opportunities for staff (e.g. safety debriefing, early referral to support services), as well as a peer support program for workers. Processes were established to monitor exposure to trauma and violence, and to offer support and services to those exposed and/or showing