A new Code of Practice to support mentally healthy workplaces is now in effect across the Commonwealth jurisdiction. The Work Health and Safety (Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work) Code of Practice 2024 provides practical guidance on how to prevent harm from psychosocial hazards.
Whilst Victoria is still awaiting long promised Psychological Health Regulations, we welcome the introduction of such initiatives in other jurisdictions as they add to the growing state of knowledge on how to better manage psychosocial risks.
The code contains practical guidance on WHS duties, hazard identification and risk management, and addresses common workplace psychosocial hazards:
- Bullying
- Harassment, including sexual harassment
- Job demands
- Poor organisational change management
- Traumatic events and material
- Remote or isolated work
- Fatigue
- Poor physical environment
- Intrusive surveillance
- Lack of role clarity
- Low job control
- Job insecurity
- Poor support
- Violence and aggression
- Poor organisational justice
- Conflict or poor relationships/interactions
-
Inadequate reward and recognition
Some of the important differences from Safe Work Australia’s Model Code of Practice: Managing psychosocial hazards at work, is that the Comcare model includes Fatigue, Intrusive Surveillance and Job Insecurity and requires employers in the Commonwealth jurisdiction to follow the hierarchy of controls to manage psychosocial risks.
Comcare has a range of guidance and education products to assist, including a short, animated video that highlights the hazards and how the hierarchy of control is designed to assist duty holders.
Read more: WHS laws are changing | Comcare
Work Health and Safety (Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work) Code of Practice 2024