WHS Regulations put mental health on equal footing with physical safety

Australia’s workplace safety laws now emphasise managing psychosocial hazards to better protect employee wellbeing.

Here’s what you need to know.

Under existing workplace health and safety laws, employers and duty holders are obligated (as far as reasonably practicable) to provide and maintain a safe working environment without risk to workers’ physical health.

Historically, psychological safety at work in terms of things like bullying and harassment has generally sat within a Human Resources department and was linked to the Fair Work Act (Cth) 2009.

However, most states and territories (except Victoria) have  implemented Regulations that expands the obligations of a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU)  to manage psychosocial hazards and psychosocial risks in the workplace in addition to physical hazards and risks.

While states and territories differ slightly in their regulations wording, what is common to all seems to be the definition of psychosocial hazards and risks.

What are psychosocial risks and hazards?

The model WHS Regulations defines a psychosocial risk as a risk to the health or safety of a worker or other person arising from a psychosocial hazard.

A psychosocial hazard is defined as a hazard that:

a. arises from, or relates to:

1. the design or management of work,
2. a work environment,
3. plant at a workplace, or
4. workplace interactions or behaviours, and

b. may cause psychological harm, whether or not it may also cause physical harm.

What does this change mean for my organisation?

When regulations are in force, organisations (PCBUs) must identify and manage psychosocial risks and consider all relevant matters when determining and implementing control measures to manage these hazards; regardless of whether someone has made a complaint or has been injured.

In short, this means psychosocial risks are to be treated in the same way that other risks to health and safety (i.e. physical risks) are dealt with.

What are the ‘relevant matters’ that organisations need to consider regarding psychosocial risks in the workplace?

These include: 

1. the duration, frequency and severity of the exposure of workers and other persons to the psychosocial hazards,
2. how the psychosocial hazards may interact or combine,
3. the design of work, including job demands and tasks,
4. the systems of work, including how work is managed, organised and supported,
5. the design and layout, and environmental conditions, of the workplace, including the provision of—
   1. safe means of entering and exiting the workplace, and
   2. facilities for the welfare of workers,
6. the design and layout, and environmental conditions, of workers ‘accommodation,
7. the plant, substances and structures at the workplace,
8. workplace interactions or behaviours, and
9. the information, training, instruction and supervision provided to workers.

Notes on specific states:

Queensland, South Australia, and ACT require PCBU’s to apply the hierarchy of controls specifically for psychosocial risks. These jurisdictions mandate the hierarchy of controls, meaning that higher-order controls (such as job design changes) must be considered and prioritised over lower-order measures (such as Employee Assistance Programs or educational programs) for managing psychosocial hazards.

In other states like New South Wales and Western Australia, while psychosocial risks must be managed, the hierarchy of controls is not explicitly required in their regulations even though it’s encouraged as best practice.

*Victoria : The proposed Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Psychological Health) Regulations, which will amend the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017, are currently undergoing a consultation review process by WorkSafe Victoria and the Victorian Government.

Check the WorkSafe Victoria for the most current updates.

Organisations need to be aware of the legislation specific to their jurisdiction and proactively consider risks to psychological health in their workplace and build and adopt an effective risk management process to manage those risks.

Check with your state WHS regulator to find out the legislation that applies to your state or territory. 

A summary of legislation and timings for implementation (correct at the time of publication) is below.