October is Safe Work Australia's Safety Month. We're going to be bringing you a different health and safety focus area each week, to bring Safety into the forefront of our minds.
Week 1 was all about working together to manage risks at work.
Week 2 we look specifically at Psychosocial hazards and the risks they present.
Psychosocial hazards are hazards that can cause psychological and physical harm. Psychological harm may include anxiety or depression, while physical harm may involve musculoskeletal or fatigue related injuries. Common psychosocial hazards include:
On average, work-related psychological injuries have longer recovery times, higher costs and require more time away from work.
Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs) must eliminate psychosocial risks or if that is not reasonably practicable, minimise them so far as is reasonably practicable.
PCBUs must work together with workers and their health and safety representatives (if they have them), by consulting with them throughout the risk management process, and ensuring workers and other persons are not exposed to risks to their health and safety.
You can view and download the ‘Managing psychosocial hazards at work’ Code of Practice here.
Need more information?
You can refer to: Week 2 - Working together to protect worker's mental health | Safe Work Australia
We're here to help
For information on resources and training courses available to all members, or any questions you are welcome to contact us via your Account Manager or:
T: 02 8251 9100