Published: 12 February 2021
The service pleaded guilty in the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court and was sentenced on Thursday, to one charge of failing to provide information to employees to allow them to perform work safely and without risk to their health.
It was also ordered to pay $4256 in costs.
The court heard that on August 2, 2018, a female nurse at Ballarat Base Hospital was exposed to inappropriate, sexualised behaviour while attending to a patient with an impaired cognitive condition.
A WorkSafe inspector later attended the hospital and found that following the incident the health service had failed to update the patient’s Behavioural Observation, which records incidents of physical and verbal aggression, agitation and resisting care.
This exposed workers to potential future incidents of inappropriate, sexualised behaviour from the patient.
WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Julie Nielsen said employers had to ensure their workers were not exposed to inappropriate, sexual behaviour in the workplace.
"Having to put up with occupational violence and aggression should never be ‘just another part of the job’," Ms Nielsen said.
"Even when someone’s clinical condition means their cognitive functions are affected, employers must take every reasonable step to reduce the risks to their workers."
What can employers do about occupational violence?
- Identify violence and aggression hazards in the workplace and assess the risks.
- Consult with employees to implement controls to eliminate or reduce the risks.
- Promote a culture that does not accept violence and aggression.
- Develop and implement health and safety policies and initiatives focused on occupational violence and aggression.
- Encourage reporting and act on these reports. Investigate incidents and review existing controls.
- Support staff development in de-escalation and processes for early intervention and management.
- Allocate resources to prevention and management.
- Support employees who have been exposed to occupational violence and aggression in the workplace.