Workers’ compensation claims for injuries resulting from psychosocial hazards at work are increasing. In total, serious claims for mental health conditions in 2021-22 resulted in 584,029 working weeks of time lost from work.
Week 2 of National Safe Work Month encompasses World Mental Health Day on 10 October. This week will take a deep dive into understanding psychosocial hazards at work and how to manage the risks.
A psychosocial hazard is anything at work that could cause psychological harm, though they can also cause physical harm.
Psychosocial hazards are created by:
• the design or management of work
• a work environment
• plant at the workplace, or
• workplace interactions or behaviours.
Employers and organisations must eliminate or minimise psychosocial risks so far as is reasonably practicable. You must apply the same risk management process you use to manage physical hazards and risks in consultation with your workers.
Keep an eye on Safe Work Australia’s social media channels this week to learn more about psychosocial hazards in the workplace.
Learn more
• Model Code of Practice – Managing psychosocial hazards at work
• Model Code of Practice – Sexual and gender-based harassment
• People at Work tool