Safe, proportionate, and practical WHS for disability support delivery — OHS Act 2004 (Vic), hazard management, lone worker protocol, manual handling, and worker wellbeing.
CONVI's WHS approach is proportionate: robust where the risk is real, practical where the risk is low. Disability support is delivered in people's homes and communities — environments that are inherently variable and cannot be controlled like a fixed workplace.
| Document reference | POL-05 |
| Version | v1.1 (supersedes v1.0) |
| Status | Current — Authoritative |
| Legislative basis | Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic) and OHS Regulations 2017 |
| Changes in v1.1 | Lone worker protocol simplified — Teams Shifts start/end sufficient for standard sessions. EAP updated — free resources listed. |
| Review cycle | Annual |
Hazards are identified and managed at the participant level through the Participant Risk Assessment (PART-05), which is completed before the first session and reviewed at minimum every six months. The Risk Assessment covers home environment hazards, participant-specific risks, manual handling, and emergency procedures.
Workers are required to report any new or changing hazards to the Director immediately — not at the next scheduled contact. If a hazard is assessed as creating immediate risk, the session is suspended until the hazard is controlled.
Support workers at CONVI typically work alone with participants — this is normal operating practice. The lone worker protocol is proportionate to risk.
For standard support sessions where no heightened risk indicator is documented in the Participant Risk Assessment:
The Teams Shifts record constitutes the lone worker check-in for standard sessions. No additional mid-session contact is required.
Where a Participant Risk Assessment documents a specific lone worker safety concern (for example, a participant with a history of aggressive behaviour, a participant in active mental health crisis, or a session in an isolated location), the Risk Assessment will specify an additional protocol. This is participant-specific and documented — not a blanket requirement.
A worker always has the right to withdraw from a session or environment they have assessed as unsafe. The worker ensures the participant's immediate safety before withdrawing, contacts the Director immediately by phone, and does not return until the Director confirms it is safe to do so. Workers are never penalised for withdrawing from an unsafe situation in good faith.
Manual handling assistance (transfers, repositioning, physical assistance with mobility) is only delivered by workers who have completed relevant training appropriate to the task. The Participant Risk Assessment documents manual handling requirements and equipment for each participant. Workers do not assist with physical activities beyond their training and the documented support plan without Director authorisation.
Disability and mental health support is emotionally demanding work. CONVI provides:
| Resource | Contact |
|---|---|
| Beyond Blue Workplace Support | 1300 22 4636 · beyondblue.org.au/get-support |
| Lifeline (24-hour crisis line) | 13 11 14 · lifeline.org.au |
| Head to Health (online mental health) | headtohealth.gov.au |
| GP referral to psychologist (Medicare-rebated) | Mental Health Treatment Plan — up to 20 rebated sessions per year |
Workers report all work-related injuries, incidents, and near misses to the Director immediately. Workers' compensation obligations are governed by WorkSafe Victoria. Serious workplace injuries must be notified to WorkSafe. See POL-04 for the full incident reporting framework.
POL-05 | v1.1 | May 2026 | Convi Pty Ltd (ACN 677 127 703) as Trustee for Attard Family Australia Trust | ABN 60 342 025 267