Psychological Injury Prevention
What is psychosocial safety, and why is it important?
Psychosocial safety involves proactively identifying and addressing workplace factors that can cause psychological and physical harm, including job design, organizational culture, and workplace interactions.
It's important because exposure to psychosocial hazards can lead to stress, decreased well-being, increased absenteeism, lower productivity, and higher turnover. Psychological injuries are recognized under workers' compensation legislation, making it critical for organizations to prioritize prevention through effective work design and systems.
How can organizations develop effective controls to prevent psychosocial risks?
Organizations can prevent psychosocial injuries by: Conducting comprehensive risk assessments to identify potential hazards across all levels of the organization; Implementing control measures that address hazards at their source through better work design; Developing and regularly reviewing policies on workplace behaviours; and Creating a culture where leadership actively prevents and responds to psychosocial risks through ongoing consultation with workers.
How are psychosocial hazards defined, and why must they be addressed?
Psychosocial hazards include excessive workloads, low job control, poor support, workplace conflict, bullying, harassment, and exposure to traumatic events. These hazards can arise from work organisation, workplace relationships, and environmental factors.
Addressing these hazards through effective controls is vital to fostering a workplace where employees can thrive without exposure to unnecessary harm.
A psychosocial safety foundation creates workplaces where employees thrive free from psychological harm.
Services:
Support the completion of comprehensive psychosocial risk assessments
Design and implement effective control measures aligned with ISO 45003
Develop policies and procedures addressing psychosocial hazards
Implement tailored prevention strategies for sector-specific risks
Provide support in managing workplace psychological injury claims
Guide compliance with evolving regulations on psychological health and safety