A psychosocial hazard is anything that could cause psychological harm—that is, anything that could harm someone’s mental health.
This might include issues such as harassment, bullying, and violence, but also traumatic events and materials, or problems at work such as lack of job clarity, poor support, and job demands.
How psychosocial hazards cause harm
Psychosocial hazards can create stress. While stress is not an injury or harm in itself, if it occurs often, over a long time, or the level of stress is high, it can cause harm. Psychological harm may include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep disorders, while physical harm may include musculoskeletal injuries, chronic disease or fatigue-related injuries.
Psychosocial hazards may interact or combine to create new, changed or higher risks. In addition, some hazards may not create psychosocial risks on their own but may do so if combined with other hazards. For example, when workloads are high the risk may increase if workers cannot take breaks or there is no one around to help. Some hazards may only create risks on their own when severe.
Psychosocial hazards and work health and safety
Under Australia’s work health and safety (WHS) laws, anyone conducting a business or undertaking must manage the risk of psychosocial hazards in the workplace.
Safework Australia has a Model Code of Practice for managing psychosocial hazards at work.
The risk management process involves four steps:
- Identify hazards: find out what could cause harm.
- Assess risks, if necessary: understand the nature of the harm the hazard could cause, how serious the harm could be and the likelihood of it happening.
- Control risks: implement the most effective control measures that are reasonably practicable in the circumstances and ensure they remain effective over time.
- Review control measures to ensure they are working as planned and make changes as required.
It is also important to create a safe reporting culture, so people feel comfortable to raise issues; manage risks proactively and consider the subjective dimensions of psychosocial risk; and encourage reporting by making the process simple and clear
Risk management requires planning and is an ongoing process. However, considering risks early prevents costly changes later and allows for more effective control measures to be used, resulting in less harm to workers.
How Flourish can help
Flourish runs workplace mental wellbeing workshops that will give your business the tools needed to foster a positive and healthy working environment to improve staff morale, engagement and productivity and contribute to reducing conflict, complaints and even workers compensation claims.
For more information, contact us on 1300 779 270 or make an enquiry now.
Talk to us today
For more information, contact us on 1300 779 270 or make an enquiry now.
