RSHQ on psychosocial hazards

Understanding the incidence and types of occupational health harms across the resources industry is important for monitoring the effectiveness of exposure controls to manage risks.

Psychosocial hazards

As part of RHSQ's responsibilities for regulating workplace safety and health, RSHQ is working with stakeholders and increasing its activity to ensure operators are effectively managing the risks of psychosocial hazards. 

A psychosocial hazard is anything that could cause psychological harm (e.g. harm someone’s mental health). Common psychosocial hazards at work include: 

• job demands

• low job control

• poor support 

• lack of role clarity

• poor organisational change management

• inadequate reward and recognition

• poor organisational justice

• traumatic events or material

• remote or isolated work 

• poor physical environment 

• violence and aggression 

• bullying 

• harassment, including sexual and gender-based harassment, and

• conflict or poor workplace relationships and interactions

How psychosocial hazards cause harm

Psychosocial hazards can create stress. This can cause psychological or physical harm. Stress itself is not an injury. But if workers are stressed often, over a long time, or the level of stress is high, it can cause harm. 

Psychological harm may include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep disorders,

Physical harm may include musculoskeletal injuries, chronic disease or fatigue related injuries.

Psychosocial hazards may interact and combine

Psychosocial hazards may interact or combine to create new, changed or higher risks. It is important to consider all the psychosocial hazards workers may be exposed to when managing psychosocial risks.

Some hazards may not create psychosocial risks on their own but may do so if combined with other hazards. For example, when workloads are high the risk may increase if workers cannot take breaks or there is no one around to help. Some hazards may only create risks on their own when severe. 

Workers also have the option of reporting complaints relating to psychosocial hazards to RSHQ and they can be made anonymously or confidentially. Incidents and complaints can be reported by calling RSHQ’s dedicated phone number for these matters - 1300 581 077. Further information is available on RSHQ’s website.

Coal mine operators MUST have within the SHMS adequate management of psychosocial risk including training of coal mine workers on the hazards and appropriate controls.