The Big Story
Dr Dinesh Palipana, OAM (photo courtesy Mumbrella)
Workplace injuries and mental health issues are on the rise. The challenge is to prevent them happening. That’s where these new ways of using data can help.
When we talk about innovation in the workplace, we often focus on speed, automation, or efficiency. But there’s another side to innovation—one that’s less flashy, but more urgent. It’s about how we care for people.
Psychological injury claims have increased by over 30% in recent years. These injuries cost more, last longer, and impact not just the person and their family but entire teams, organisations, and the community.
That’s where data comes in.
Arriba group have now launched a new digital division, OneRedDoor, focused on using data, AI and predictive tools to improve workplace health outcomes. One of those tools, PeopleCompass, specifically helps organisations meet new psychosocial risk obligations by identifying mental health risks before they turn into costly claims.
There’s also MyDirection, which flags people at risk of long-term disengagement after injury or illness—helping employers act early to support recovery and return to work.
We have more tools than ever to understand patterns in workplace behaviour, track psychosocial risk, and spot early signs of burnout, disengagement or distress. But data is only powerful if we use it with purpose—to design better systems, ask better questions, and ultimately, care better.
Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM writes for abilityNEWS. He is a doctor, lawyer, disability advocate and Queensland’s Australian of the Year (2021).
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