Alleged assault leads to hospital being charged

Latest evidence on preventing musculoskeletal disorders

Four videos showcasing the latest evidence and systems thinking to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) have been published by Safe Work Australia.

These videos feature presentations from the Musculoskeletal Disorders Symposium, hosted by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland in June 2021.

Two topics covered in the videos include applying systems thinking to understanding MSDs with Associate Professor Sharon Newman from Monash University, and derailing workplace MSD risks through systems thinking with Associate Professor Anjum Naweed from Central Queensland University.

MSD accounts for more than half of all workers' compensation claims across Australia, making this topic essential reading for safety professionals in construction, manufacturing and healthcare settings.

Watch each video on the Safe Work Australia website for full presentation details.

Original news sourced from the Safe Work Australia website.

Alleged Assault Leads to Hospital Being Charged

Summary: A Melbourne hospital has been charged by WorkSafe Victoria following an alleged assault on a nurse within its acute psychiatric unit. Austin Health faces two breaches under Victoria's Occupational Health and Safety Act, with a court hearing scheduled for October 2021.

What Happened at Austin Health

WorkSafe Vic claimed the hospital failed to maintain a workplace that remains safe and without risk to health, following the alleged assault reported in recent safety news.

Austin Health was charged with two breaches of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Charges fall under section 21(1) and 21(2)(a) of the OHS Act for failing to maintain safe systems of work, plus section 21(1) and 21(2)(e) for failing to provide information, instruction and training relevant to emergency response procedures.

An incident in which a patient allegedly assaulted a nurse within the psychiatric unit's high support area occurred on 17 September 2019. This case highlights ongoing challenges facing emergency and psychiatric care workers across Australian hospitals, where staff often encounter unpredictable behavioural risks.

Court Proceedings and Next Steps

This matter will be addressed at Heidelberg Magistrates' Court on 6 October 2021, with WorkSafe Victoria pursuing accountability for workplace safety failures.

For safety professionals monitoring compliance news across Australia, this case underscores why robust safety systems remain critical in healthcare environments. Nurses and emergency staff require adequate training, risk assessments and support systems to prevent similar incidents.

Organisations seeking guidance on managing workplace violence risks may find it useful to review related coverage, including the alleged assault case involving a WorkSafe inspector, which further demonstrates how regulators respond to assault allegations in occupational settings.

Additional context on hospital-related workplace incidents can be found in our coverage of a worker flown to hospital after being struck by a metal pole and a separate case where a worker was flown to hospital after being run over by an excavator, both illustrating the broader emergency response challenges Australian workplaces face.

The full media release detailing this alleged assault and subsequent charges can be found on the WorkSafe Victoria website.