Know Your Psychosocial Hazards at Work

Weekly WHS Article 2nd May 2022

As you know, the WHS Act and WHS Regulation covers what must be done to achieve a safe and healthy workplace. The WHS Act defines ‘health’ as “physical and psychological health.”

What is a psychosocial hazard?

The answer is on page 6 of the SafeWork NSW Code of Practice, Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work.

“Psychosocial hazards at work are aspects of work and situations that may cause a stress response which in turn can lead to psychological or physical harm. These stem from:

• the way the tasks or job are designed, organised, managed and supervised

• tasks or jobs where there are inherent psychosocial hazards and risks

• the equipment, working environment or requirements to undertake duties in physically hazardous environments, and

• social factors at work, workplace relationships and social interactions.”

“Some hazards by themselves have the potential to cause serious harm, such as experiencing occupational violence. In most circumstances, hazards will not occur alone but together with a range of psychosocial and physical hazards. As part of the risk assessment process the frequency and duration of exposure to psychosocial hazards will need to be considered. The more psychosocial hazards that are present, the more likely there is for harm to occur.”

Examples of Common Psychosocial Hazards

The 4 examples below and another 12 examples can be found in Table 1 on pages 7-8 of the SafeWork NSW Code of Practice, Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work.

1. “Role Overload (high workloads or job demands)

For example, where there is:

• too much to do in a set time or with insufficient workers or other resources

• unachievable task deadlines, expectations or responsibilities

• unpredictable shifts or hours of work, shift structures or rosters that do not allow adequate time for workers to recover

• frequent cognitively difficult work

• multiple tasks that require repeated rapid switching between each to complete them, so it is difficult to concentrate

• where there is sustained or frequent exposure to emotionally distressing situations

• tasks that require workers to continually show false displays of emotion, e.g. customer service roles

• tasks and decisions that are safety critical and that may have a serious impact on the health and safety of workers and others”

2. “Poor support from supervisors and managers

For example, where there is:

• inadequate information, advice and help with work tasks or to resolve issues, or access to necessary equipment and resources

• performance feedback or other management action which is unreasonable or delivered in an unreasonable manner. See also clarification on reasonable management action on page 9.”

3.”Bullying

Including, by workers, clients, patients, visitors or others. For example, see Safe Work Australia Guide: Preventing workplace violence and aggression; and Workplace violence and aggression – guidance for small business, and Workplace violence and aggression – advice for workers.”

4. “Harassment including sexual harassment

Single or repeated incidents of forms of harassment by co-workers, clients, patients, visitors or others around a person’s race, religion, gender, age, disability etc. For example, see information from Safe Work Australia: Guide: Preventing workplace sexual harassment and Preventing workplace sexual harassment - guidance for small business and Workplace sexual harassment – advice for workers.”

WHS Consultation about Psychosocial Hazards

Company directors and business owners must talk to staff about WHS risks including psychosocial hazards in their workplace in keeping with their duty to ensure that the business (PCBU) the manage is carrying out its duty to consult staff on WHS matters when required.

Risk Management of Psychosocial Hazards

A PCBU must manage health and safety risks, including non-physical risks, "as far as is reasonably practicable."

For more information feel free to contact us at train@courtenell.com.au or phone us on 02 9552 2066

2nd May 2022