SafeWork NSW has issued a reminder to workers to remember the mental health of their colleagues following an incident in the Hunter where a tradesman was fined $6,000 for failing to do so.
Executive Director of Safe Work Services at SafeWork NSW, Andrew Gavrielatos said the fine and order to pay costs was a reminder for workplaces to address mental health as part of their work health and safety procedures.
“The defendant pleaded guilty to having failed to comply with his obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act NSW (2011) to take reasonable care that he did not adversely affect the health and safety of other persons,” Mr Gavrielatos said.
“The carpenter and joiner admitted to bullying behaviour towards two workers over an extended period of time including verbal abuse, name calling, swearing, belittling and threats,” he said.
“The tradesman’s behaviour caused the young apprentices to feel distressed and anxious, with both reporting to have nightmares and be fearful of going to work.”
Mr Gavrielatos said the prosecutions outcome illustrated SafeWork NSW’s commitment to act against businesses and individuals doing the wrong thing in the workplace when it came to mental health and wellbeing.
He said SafeWork NSW offered information, resources and assistance on how to create mentally healthy workplaces.
Further information can be accessed at this PS News link.
