Managing psychosocial hazards at work

These can stem from:

• the way tasks or jobs 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 psychically hazardous environments, and
• social factors at work, workplace relationships and social interactions. 

This new code and regulation covers employers, workers, contractors, subcontractors, outworkers, the self-employed, apprentices and trainees, work experience students and volunteers. 

Some examples of what employers or a PCBU are required to do to manage psychosocial hazards include ensuring they provide and maintain:

• a safe working environment
• safe systems of work
• safe use, handling, and storage of equipment, structures and substances 
• adequate facilities at work 
• necessary information, training, instruction or supervision of workers, and 
• conditions at the workplace are monitored to ensure any risks remain adequately controlled. 

PCBU must adopt a risk management process, including eliminating psychosocial risks, as far as reasonably practicable to remain compliant with the new legislation. If it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate psychosocial risks then there should be an attempt to minimize them. 
This can be achieved by following the four-step risk management process: 

1. Identify psychosocial hazards.
2. Assess the risk.
3. Control the risk.
4. Review the controls.

Failure to comply with and fulfil your duties and obligations of this new model code of practice could result in breaching the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. 

Managing the risk of psychosocial hazards at work: Code of Practice 2022.

If you are a Toolkit subscriber, our WHS policy has been updated and will be deployed to you shortly.
If you are not a Toolkit subscriber, please contact the Workplace Relations team as the policy template can be purchased individually.
 

	Workplace Relations Support Workplace Relations Support can assist practice managers in where to find the appropriate information around this code of practice and how this would apply to your practice. You can contact us via phone (07) 3872 2222 and email support workplacerelations@amaq.com.au.
	Workplace Relations Toolkit Workplace Relations Toolkit subscribers receive Work Health and Safety procedure templates that can be implemented into practice processes.
	Workplace Relations Consultancy Workplace Relations Consultancy can assist practices by providing comprehensive advice and reviewing current procedures or policies they may have in place around work health and safety. Through our consultancy service we can also provide training to management team and practice owners on their responsibilities with Work Health and Safety legislation in Queensland.