Psychosocial hazards impact on physical and mental wellness by causing stress. They are related to factors such as workplace behaviours, how work is designed or managed and the workplace itself.
They impact on our physical and mental wellness and ability to function. If acute or longstanding, they can cause harm such as anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, burnout, thoughts of self-harm, musculoskeletal injuries, headaches, and chronic disease. Examples are bullying, excessive workload, isolated work, lack of job autonomy, lack of role clarity and poor organisational change management, sexual harassment, threats or conflict.
Persons operating a business or undertaking have a duty under the WHS Act to eliminate a risk or risks to psychosocial health and safety, or if that is not possible, to minimise the risks, so far as is reasonably practicable.
Failure to do so can expose you to an improvement notice or in severe cases, criminal prosecution.
How WEIR can help
We will gather information through staff surveys, interviews and desktop reviews, to identify the psychosocial hazards in your workplace, identify existing control measures, assess the level of risk in the workplace, and provide options or recommendations to eliminate or minimise the risk.
Reducing psychosocial injury offers potential high returns to employers in terms of lower absenteeism, increased productivity and reduced compensation claims
The cost of psychological injury claims is typically about 2.5 times the cost of other workers compensation claims and involves 2.5 times more time off work.
Our services are available nationwide, both face to face and virtual. Contact us to speak to a consultant.