Psychological Safety Awareness

Dear All,

From December 1, 2025, there are new Victorian Government Regulations for obligations for workplaces across Victoria to protect employees from psychological injury.

Just like physical threats, Victorian employers must address risks associated with psychosocial hazards – such as bullying, sexual harassment, aggression or violence, and exposure to traumatic events or content.

Winslow has developed a procedure (applicable to all Business Units) to ensure compliance with national Model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Laws, the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic), the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), the relevant State Regulator and the specific regulations and compliance codes of each state and territory.
 
What do I need to know?

• Winslow has developed a Psychosocial Safety Procedure that is part of the Business Management System (BMS).
• The procedure outlines how psychosocial hazards are identified, assessed, reported and managed across the organisation. All employees and managers are expected to be familiar with and follow the procedure.
• The Psychosocial Safety Procedure is located in the BMS. https://winslow50.sharepoint.com/shared-services/WC/Documents/WINBMS-SP-21%20Psychological%20Safety%20Procedure.pdf
• As part of this document, there are people requirements and processes to be aware of such as:
  • Duties as a Manager
  • Duties as an employee
  • When to act
  • How to take action (via the incident resolution flowchart below)
• Employees who experience or witness psychosocial hazards or inappropriate behaviour are encouraged to report the matter as soon as reasonably practicable through the available reporting channels.

Click here to access the incident resolution flowchart

How is Winslow raising awareness of the new Psychosocial Safety procedure?
In April, as part of our annual Health Month campaign, there will be a campaign to raise awareness of Winslow’s new Psychosocial Safety Procedure.
Initiatives to look out for are:

• Managers Training
• Employee Training
• Toolbox Talks
• Posters

Also, we will be including the Winslow Psychosocial Safety Procedure as part of the Big 5 Relaunch Roadshow in May.
 
Who do I contact if you have any questions or want to find out more information about the new Psychosocial Safety Procedure?
We have teams of people who are available to answer your questions and are based in and around the Business Units:

• HSE Managers/Coordinators
• Human Resources team members
• Return to Work Coordinators
• Health and Safety Representatives
• Direct manager or supervisor, where appropriate.

What other ways is Winslow supporting me?
Winslow continues to support our people by providing easily accessible trained people and resources.

• Drake Wellbeing Hub is our current EAP provider and offers 24/7 confidential services for employees and their immediate families:
  • Phone: 1300 135 600 (AU)
  • Email: intake@drakewellbeinghub.com.au
  • Website: drakewellbeinghub.com.au
     
• Mental Health Champions – Winslow has a large number of people who are qualified as Mental Health First Aiders – Check the current list on Win Connect – https://winslow50.sharepoint.com/About/Pages/Mental-Health-FA.aspx

Employee Consultative Committees will also add Psychosocial Safety as part of their regular agendas. Winslow is committed to providing a workplace that is respectful, safe and free from bullying, harassment and other psychosocial hazards. Concerns raised in good faith will be taken seriously and managed in accordance with the organisation’s policies and procedures. 

Regards
 
Winslow Management