Psychosocial hazards in focus as mental health claims rise
08 Oct 2024•BlueSafe Team•Source: Safe Work Australia
Workers’ compensation claims for injuries linked to psychosocial hazards are increasing. Serious claims for mental health conditions in 2021–22 accounted for 584,029 working weeks lost.
Understanding psychosocial hazards and managing their risks is the focus of week two of National Safe Work Month, which includes World Mental Health Day on 10 October.
Psychosocial hazards are aspects of work that can cause psychological harm. They can also lead to physical harm.
These hazards can arise from how work is designed or managed, the working environment, workplace plant, or interactions and behaviours at work.
Employers and organisations have a duty to eliminate or minimise psychosocial risks so far as is reasonably practicable. This requires the same risk management process used for physical hazards and risks, carried out in consultation with workers.
Safe Work Australia is directing readers to its social media channels during the week for more information. It also lists the model codes of practice for managing psychosocial hazards at work and sexual and gender-based harassment, along with the People at Work tool, as further resources.
How Blue Safe can help: Our free WHS self-check can help you review your approach to workplace health and safety and identify areas for closer attention, including psychosocial risk management. Take the free WHS self-check