A prevention plan is a written record that documents the risk management process.
It can be used to help control the risk of psychosocial hazards in the workplace. There are four steps:
1. Identify hazards
2. Assess the risks to health and safety created by exposure to those hazards
3. Control risks. Do this by eliminating the risk. If it’s not reasonably practicable to eliminate risks, reduce them so far as is reasonably practicable.
4. Review & revise risk control measures
Each of the four step requires appropriate and thorough consultation. Under the Occupational Health & Safety Act 2004, employers must consult
with employees on matters related to health & safety that directly affect, or are likely to affect, them. Employers must do this so far as is reasonably practicable, including developing prevention plans.
Psychosocial hazards may interact or combine to create new or higher risks. When managing psychosocial risks, employers need to consider all the psychosocial hazards employees might be exposed to.
Download the Prevention Plan for Psychosocial Hazards here.
Published May 2026