Work Health and Safety (WHS) Policy

1. Purpose and Scope

This policy outlines the Work Health and Safety (WHS) framework established to maintain a safe, healthy, and supportive environment for all individuals operating under or affiliated with the practice. This policy applies globally across our multi-site hybrid structure, encompassing all shared corporate office locations, future business sites, online tele-health delivery, and remote working setups.

2. Physical Work Environments & Shared Spaces

The practice operates across a flexible weekly schedule utilising professional corporate business centres and secure digital environments.

• Facility Inductions: All personnel are required to complete a facility induction upon commencing work at any physical site. This includes identifying emergency exit paths, fire extinguishing equipment, evacuation assembly points, and local floor fire wardens.
• Workspace Hazard Management: Shared areas, corporate lounges, and private meeting rooms are maintained to the highest safety standards. Equipment, cabling, and workstations must be arranged systematically to eliminate trip hazards and ensure clear paths of travel.
• First Aid Infrastructure: First aid facilities and emergency medical kits are maintained centrally by corporate building management at the main reception desks. For standard medical support, personnel coordinate with onsite building staff; for emergencies, Emergency Services (000) are engaged immediately.

3. Digital, Online, and Remote Work Environments

As a provider of tele-health services, the practice mandates strict safety and health protocols for virtual operational spaces.

• Ergonomic Standards: Remote workstations utilised by personnel must meet ergonomic safety requirements. This involves the appropriate adjustment of seating, screen alignment, and lighting to minimise musculoskeletal strain and optical fatigue.
• Isolation and Communication Protocols: To mitigate the risks associated with remote or isolated professional work, the practice enforces structured check-ins at the beginning and conclusion of virtual shifts to confirm operational safety and provide administrative alignment.

4. Psychological Safety & High-Risk Case Management

Engaging with specialised clinical frameworks — such as NSW Victims Services and SIRA (Workers Compensation/CTP) — requires comprehensive safeguards to manage psychological hazards, secondary traumatic stress, and vicarious trauma.

• Clinical Supervision and Debriefing: The practice provides mandatory debriefing and formal clinical supervision sessions following complex trauma interventions. Personnel are encouraged to proactively monitor and flag signs of emotional fatigue.
• Crisis Escalation Framework: In instances where a client exhibits volatile behaviour, acute crisis indicators, or risk of self-harm, the practice enforces an immediate escalation protocol to the Principal Director. Placement personnel and junior staff do not manage crisis interventions in isolation.
• Systemic Inter-Agency Boundaries: For SIRA and insurance-funded files, clear communication boundaries are maintained regarding third-party stakeholders (insurers, employers, legal representatives) to prevent conflict-of-interest escalations.
• Work-Life Boundary Management: To foster psychological well-being, the practice ensures clear separation between professional operations and personal time, with all digital clinical tracking occurring strictly within designated operational hours.

5. Client Interaction & On-Site De-escalation

• Professional Consultation Settings: Face-to-face client consultations are conducted exclusively within pre-booked, professional corporate meeting rooms situated within staffed commercial centres.
• Strategic Room Positioning: During face-to-face sessions, practitioners position themselves nearest to the meeting room exit to maintain a clear path of egress.
• Security and De-escalation Protocols: In the rare event of client agitation or aggression, personnel are instructed to execute standard de-escalation protocols, exit the room immediately, and engage the building's professional on-site security teams.

6. Incident Reporting & Insurance Verification

• Incident Tracking: Any workplace accident, injury, near-miss, or psychological hazard must be formally reported to the Principal Director within 24 hours via an Incident Report Form.
• Vocational Placements: For unpaid vocational student placements hosted by the practice, primary Personal Accident and Public Liability insurance cover is formally verified via the issuing university’s Certificate of Currency prior to placement commencement.