In Australian workplaces, unsafe job demands are the most common psychosocial hazards, according to Comcare's National Regulatory Programs Director, Luka Campbell.
A proactive inspection program conducted by Comcare's psychosocial regulation team discovered that job demands pose a significant risk to worker safety.
Job demands refer to the imbalance between the tasks workers perform and the resources available to manage these demands.
A new WHS Code of Practice for the Commonwealth jurisdiction will be available soon for workplaces, but it needs to be approved by the minister first. Until then, companies under Comcare's rules should follow the existing safety code Managing psychosocial hazards at work.
Campbell has emphasized the need for employers to address this issue by implementing various risk control measures, including scheduling work to avoid intense workloads, optimizing workplace layouts, and ensuring effective consultation with workers.
He also noted the importance of consultation in identifying and managing psychosocial risks effectively, as these risks may not always be physically observable.
