Psychosocial Hazard Risk Managment Package

In recent years, a growing body of research and incidents have highlighted the importance of managing psychosocial hazards in the workplace. Recognising the significant impact these hazards can have on workers and businesses alike, new psychosocial safety regulations have been introduced across Australia, setting clear expectations for employers to identify, assess, and control these risks. While this legislation may seem like an additional compliance burden, businesses can integrate psychosocial hazards into existing risk management frameworks—often without reinventing the wheel.
 
What Does the New Legislation Mean?
The new psychosocial legislation mandates that businesses actively identify and manage psychosocial hazards—such as workplace bullying, harassment, and stressors related to work demands. These regulations require employers to treat psychosocial hazards with the same rigour as physical risks, ensuring that workers are safeguarded from mental harm just as they would be from physical injuries.
 
In Australia, each Australian state has outlined specific timelines for implementing these requirements. For instance:
New South Wales: The SafeWork NSW Code of Practice on Managing Psychosocial Hazards came into effect in 2022, guiding businesses in understanding and managing these risks.
Victoria: Worksafe Victoria introduced new psychological health regulations, which are enforceable as of March 2024.
Queensland: The new requirements for managing psychosocial risks fall under Workplace Health and Safety Queensland's Work Health and Safety (Psychosocial Risks) Amendment Regulation 2022, with expectations for compliance already in effect.
Western Australia: WorkSafe WA has implemented regulations for the control of psychosocial risks, effective from 24 December 2022.
South Australia: SafeWork SA introduced new regulations to manage psychosocial risks, effective from 25 December 2023.
Tasmania: WorkSafe Tasmania Work Health and Safety Regulations 2022 include mandatory provisions for managing psychological health and preventing psychosocial hazards.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT): WorkSafe ACT's "Work Health and Safety (Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work Code of Practice) Approval 2023" came into effect on 27 November 2023.
Northern Territory: NT WorkSafe amended its Work Health and Safety Regulations to address psychosocial hazards, effective from 1 July 2023.
 
Employers across all states are expected to comply with these requirements, ensuring that psychosocial risks are identified, managed, and controlled in line with broader safety practices.
 
Please use our AI Assistant for more information on legislative requirements and penalties. When using the tool, please add your country, state, industry and hazard for best results.
 
The Cost of Psychosocial Hazards to Businesses
Psychosocial hazards can be costly, both in terms of financial impact and organisational wellbeing. Workplace stress, bullying, and harassment are associated with increased absenteeism, reduced productivity, high turnover, and a greater likelihood of injury or mental health claims. Studies estimate that the annual cost of work-related mental health conditions to Australian employers is around $10.9 billion, factoring in lost productivity, workers' compensation claims, and recruitment costs.
 
Beyond financial considerations, failing to address psychosocial hazards can damage an organisation’s culture, hinder employee engagement, and lead to reputational risks. By actively managing these hazards, businesses not only protect their workforce but also support a healthy, resilient, and productive workplace.
 
Integrating Psychosocial Hazards into Your Risk Management Framework
When it comes to managing psychosocial hazards, it’s essential not to see this as an entirely new undertaking. These hazards can—and should—be managed through your existing risk management systems. Using well-established risk assessment and control processes, businesses can identify, assess, and implement controls for psychosocial hazards in a similar way to physical risks.
 
Identifying Psychosocial Hazards: Start with a hazard identification in your risk management process process. Psychosocial hazards might include high job demands, low job control, poor support, bullying, or work-related trauma. Consulting with workers and conducting surveys can provide insights into the psychosocial hazards unique to your workplace.
 
Selecting and Implementing Controls: Once identified, appropriate controls should be selected. Not all psychosocial hazards will need a critical control, but for those that pose high risks, critical controls should be implemented. For instance, setting clear expectations, fostering a positive workplace culture, and establishing strong policies against bullying can serve as preventive controls.
 
Establishing Assurance and Governance: As with physical risks, ensure there are verification processes in place to confirm that controls are effective. Regular reviews, reporting, and worker feedback can help track the success of these controls over time.
 
Leveraging Existing Systems and Processes: Use your current risk management framework to support the new psychosocial hazard requirements. You may already have governance processes, assurance mechanisms, and reporting structures in place that can now incorporate psychosocial hazard monitoring.
 
By embedding psychosocial hazards within your existing risk management framework, you maintain consistency in how risks are managed and avoid duplicating efforts. This approach ensures a comprehensive view of all workplace risks, enabling businesses to meet compliance requirements effectively and efficiently.
 
Don't know where to start?
We have designed fully compliant, practical tools that will seamlessly integrate with your management systems.
 
Psychosocial Hazard and Psychosocial Risk Management Document Package
Manage psychosocial hazards with confidence using this all-in-one package, designed to meet your compliance needs and promote good mental health in the workplace. This package includes:
 
Prepopulated Psychosocial Hazard / Psyschosocial Risk Register: Save time with a register that identifies common psychosocial hazards.
 
Health and Safety Policy Template: Updated to integrate psychosocial risks.
 
Psychosocial Hazard Management Plan: A structured approach to identifying, managing, and monitoring hazards.
 
Two Toolbox Talks:
For Leaders: Guidance on fostering a safe, supportive workplace.
For Workers: Empowerment to identify and report psychosocial hazards.
 
Who Is This For?
Small to medium businesses needing practical tools to manage psychosocial risks.
Larger organisations looking for ready-made resources to enhance their safety systems.
 
If you don't need the entire package, these items can be purchased separately.