Our refreshed psychological injury prevention services are focussed on resolving workplace issues and reducing psychosocial hazards.

These services support members in meeting their responsibilities under work, health and safety legislation to provide a safe work environment – including the identification and proactive management of psychosocial hazards.

With emphasis on mediation, workplace counselling and critical incident debriefing, our team aims to help members mitigate the risk of psychosocial hazards.

Psychological injuries are a significant contributor to workers' compensation claims with numbers in Western Australia continuing to grow year on year, since 2017/18 mental stress claims across the State have grown by 28%.

The leading contributor to these claims is work related harassment and bullying and therefore, our preventative services aim to intervene early so that injuries are less likely to occur.

From a local government perspective LGIS has seen a steady increase in psychological injury claims year-on-year. From 2017 to 2021 we've received 289 claims with a total cost of over $15.8 million. The average cost of psychological injury claims is $56,923, substantially more than the average cost of all claims at $19,388.

Psychological safety is an important aspect of a workers overall health and safety. Employers have a duty to manage psychosocial hazards, with the appropriate controls. All officers, workers and 'others' (which includes elected members), have a responsibility to take reasonable care so that their acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of other persons.

Safety is everyone's responsibility – councillors, leaders and workers – we all have a part to play.

Psychological injury prevention services

We now offer a range of proactive services to our members to address workplace issues aimed at preventing psychological injury. These services are available as a benefit of LGIS membership.

1. Mediation

Workplace conflicts can affect both those who are directly involved and others who get caught up in issues. If not handled correctly, conflicts can easily escalate leading to a negative work environment.

Mediation can help to address the issue, before it escalates. It is not about finding fault. The process involves working with individuals to find possible solutions. The services is confidential and can be an incredibly effective, early intervention tool.

2. Critical incident debriefing

Unfortunately, critical incidents may occur and often impact workers.

Incidents such as workplace death, witnessing a serious injury, or a significant community event like a bushfire or cyclone may have a significant impact on workers.

The LGIS critical incident debriefing service can help, supporting workers to process what has happened. Our team also provides face-to-face support to staff impacted by such incidents.

3. Counselling

LGIS counsellors can provide support on a range of work related issues.

Our short term counselling aims to provide local government workers, elected members and bushfire volunteers with support for a wide variety of work related issues such as work relationships, conflicts at work and other work related issues.

To access this service, an individual must be referred to LGIS by the local government using the referral form overleaf, which will entitle the individual up to six sessions.

For more information on these changes, please get in touch with our People Risk Manager – Emma Horsefield at emma.horsefield@lgiswa.com.au or 0407 957932.