There is an increasing number of workplaces reporting psychosocial hazards, and it is likely that many cases also go unreported, according to Standards Australia.

“Both industry and government know psychological health and safety at work is a big issue that needs to be addressed,” said Ben Russell, engagement manager at Standards Australia.

Citing a Safe Work Australia report earlier this year which said mental health conditions accounted for 9 per cent of all serious workers compensation claims during 2021-22 (a 36.9 per cent increase since 2017-2018) and the median time lost was more than 4 times greater than that of all physical injuries and illnesses in that same period, Russell said “these statistics alone are telling”.

When Standards Australia released its AS/NZS ISO 45003:2021 standard: Occupational health and safety management – Psychological health and safety at work – Guidelines for managing psychosocial risks a few years ago, it was “incredibly popular”, according to Russell, who was speaking ahead of an AIHS webinar, Standards in Practice: Psychosocial Safety in the Workplace on Thursday 15 August 2024, which will feature Russell together with BUPA’s GM of wellbeing & safety, Chanel Nesci, who will discuss how BUPA is tackling the issue of psychosocial safety and how the organisation has implemented the standard.

Psychosocial hazards can include aspects of how work is organised, social factors, and the work environment, equipment, and hazardous tasks, according to the standard.

“Some examples include ambiguity in your role and what’s expected of you, lack of control over your own workload/no autonomy/excessive micromanagement, and exposure to traumatic events,” said Russell.

AS/NZS ISO 45003:2021 provides guidance on how organisations can incorporate the management of psychosocial risks and promote wellbeing as part of their existing OHS management system.

Russell explained that it provides examples of common issues and things to be aware of, important information for organisations to consider when addressing them, and a framework for how to identify and manage these issues as they occur. It also promotes planning to reduce the risks of these issues coming up at all.

The standard also details how an organisation should develop the competence needed to identify psychosocial hazards, provides training and professional development where needed, ensure workers are aware of the processes for identifying and reporting concerns, and provides extensive guidance on raising awareness about psychosocial hazards in general.

“While we recommend purchasing a copy of AS/NZS ISO 45003:2021, it is equally important to keep the conversation going,” said Russell.

“Let your teams know that you take these issues seriously, that it’s ok to put your hand up and say, ‘I’m not comfortable’ or ‘I’m really struggling with this.’ Make sure your executives are aware of the importance in addressing these issues,” he said.

Russell will be discussing the AS/NZS ISO 45003:2021 standard: Occupational health and safety management – Psychological health and safety at work – Guidelines for managing psychosocial risks at the webinar, Standards in Practice: Psychosocial Safety in the Workplace on Thursday 15 August 2024 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm AEST, together with BUPA’s GM of wellbeing & safety, Chanel Nesci, who will discuss how BUPA is tackling the issue of psychosocial safety and successfully leveraged the standard in practice to enhance psychosocial safety in the workplace. For more information, email events@aihs.org.au, call (03) 8336 1995, or visit the event website.