UNSAFE STAFFING LEVELS ‘NOT ‘REASONABLE’

The employer of a worker who suffered a psychological injury has failed to block his entitlements by claiming that its inability to provide safe staffing levels constituted ‘reasonable administrative action’.

The Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (CAT) ruled against an TASCAT’s attempt to deny a worker's compensation for a ‘severe overload’ injury, arguing its inability to provide enough staff was ‘reasonable administrative action.’

The Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal disagreed.

The worker, a paramedic deployment supervisor, suffers an ‘adjustment disorder with low mood and anxiety with panic attacks’ due to sustained stress and lack of support.

Despite the employer's claims, the CAT found no evidence the worker's condition was caused by administrative action and that the employer's failure to address critical staff shortages and manage the worker's workload led to the injury.

Read the tribunals determination here.

Share Tweet

RELATED

PSYCHOSOCIAL HAZARDS LINKED TO ECZEMA AND RASHES
Research from Norway’s National Institute of Occupational Health shows that psychosocial hazards in the workplace have the potential to trigger occupational skin problems, including eczema and rashes. Previously, the link between psychosocial...
Read More
REPORT BACK - SUPPORTER UPDATE – INDONESIAN ASBESTOS COURT BATTLE
Last week the ACTU in partnership with APHEDA presented an update on the concerning the lawsuit filed by asbestos manufacturers the Indonesian Fiber Cement Association (FICMA) against consumer groups and activists in...
Read More
$340K FINE & ADVERSE PUBLICITY ORDER FOR METAL FINISHER AFTER FATAL CRUSH
GB Galvanising Service Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to provide and maintain a working environment that was safe and without risks to health after an employee was fatally...
Read More