Psychosocial Hazard Risk Management Policy

1. Policy Statement

[Business Name] is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace. This includes protecting workers from psychological harm. We believe mental health is just as important as physical safety. We will comply with the Work Health and Safety Act [Year] and related regulations.

2. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to:

• Identify psychosocial hazards in our workplace.
• Assess the risks associated with these hazards.
• Implement controls to eliminate or minimise risks.
• Monitor and review the effectiveness of controls.

3. Scope

This policy applies to [List everyone, e.g., all employees, contractors, volunteers, visitors] at [Location/Site]. It applies to all work activities conducted by [Business Name].

4. Definitions

• Psychosocial Hazard: Anything at work that may cause psychological harm. Examples include bullying, harassment, high job demands, low job control, and poor support.
• PCBU: A Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking.
• Worker: Anyone who carries out work for the business.

5. Roles and Responsibilities

Management/Owner:

• Provide and maintain a safe work environment.
• Allocate adequate resources to manage risks.
• Ensure consultation occurs with workers.
• Act immediately on reports of psychosocial hazards.

Supervisors/Team Leaders:

• Monitor work areas for signs of psychosocial hazards.
• Support workers who raise concerns.
• Implement control measures as directed.

Workers:

• Take reasonable care of their own health and safety.
• Not adversely affect the health and safety of others.
• Follow procedures and instructions.
• Report hazards and concerns immediately to [Name/Position].

6. Identification of Hazards

We will identify hazards through:

• Regular workplace inspections.
• Consultation with workers and health and safety representatives.
• Reviewing incident reports and near misses.
• Monitoring absenteeism and staff turnover data.

Specific hazards for [Business Name] include, but are not limited to:

• [List specific hazards, e.g., working alone, aggressive clients, tight deadlines].

7. Risk Assessment

When a hazard is identified, we will assess the risk. We consider:

• The likelihood of harm occurring.
• The severity of the potential harm.
• How often workers are exposed to the hazard.

8. Control Measures

We will use the hierarchy of control to manage risks:

1. Elimination: Remove the hazard completely.
2. Substitution: Replace the hazard with something safer.
3. Isolation: Separate workers from the hazard.
4. Engineering Controls: Change the physical workplace.
5. Administrative Controls: Change policies, procedures, and rosters.
6. PPE: Provide support and resources (rarely the only control for psychosocial risks).

Examples of controls for our business include:

• [List controls, e.g., Standard operating procedures for client aggression, fair roster design, zero tolerance policy for bullying].

9. Reporting and Responding

Workers can report concerns to:

• [Manager Name]
• [HR Contact]
• [External EAP Provider]

Reports will be treated seriously and confidentially. [Business Name] will not victimise anyone who makes a report. We will investigate all reports promptly. We will provide support to affected workers.

10. Training and Information

We will provide training to workers on:

• This policy.
• How to identify psychosocial hazards.
• The reporting process.
• Mental health awareness.

11. Monitoring and Review

We will review this policy annually [or insert frequency]. We will also review it if:

• There is a change in legislation.
• An incident occurs.
• A worker raises a concern about controls not working.

12. Related Documents

• [Bullying and Harassment Policy]
• [Work Health and Safety Policy]
• [Grievance Procedure]

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Signed: ___________________ Name: [Owner/Director Name] Date: [Date]