Safety authorities have issued new guidance for the management of psychological injury claims.

Safe Work Australia’s new framework ‘Taking Action: A best practice framework for the management of psychological injury claims for the Australian workers’ compensation sector’ is now available.

Safe Work says the framework will be useful for workers’ compensation authorities, insurers, claims managers and others involved in the workers’ compensation process.

It is intended to provide practical and evidence-based guidance to assist workers’ compensation insurers and claims managers to better support workers experiencing psychological illness or who are at risk of developing one.

“We partnered with SuperFriend to adapt the TAKING ACTION Framework for the life insurance industry, for the Australian workers’ compensation sector,” Safe Work Australia said.

The framework responds to the important role of the insurer and employer in a person-centred claims management process.

“We undertook in-depth consultation with injured workers, insurers and employers to develop the framework and ensure it met their needs. An expert advisory group also provided guidance.”

The framework is available in PDF and DOCX forms.