Psychosocial hazards are
aspects of work which have the potential to cause psychological or physical harm
.
“Psychosocial hazard” is the name most commonly used for
those hazards that can have an impact on the psychological health or mental or emotional wellbeing of a person
. Under the WHS Act, health is defined as both physical and psychological health.
These include
stress, fatigue, bullying, violence, aggression, harassment and burnout
, which can be harmful to the health of workers and compromise their wellbeing.
- reviewing organisational structure (e.g. lines of reporting, supervisory responsibilities)
- inspecting the condition of the physical workplace (e.g. equipment is working)
- assessing specific job requirements within the organisation.
- observing how work tasks are completed.
Psychosocial risks arise from
poor work design, organisation and management
, as well as a poor social context of work, and they may result in negative psychological, physical and social outcomes such as work-related stress, burnout or depression.
Psychosocial hazards are
factors in the design or management of work that increase the risk of work-related stress and can lead to psychological or physical harm
. Examples of psychosocial hazards might include poor supervisor support or high job demands.
What are two examples of psychological hazards in the workplace?
- work-related stress.
- work-related bullying.
- work-related violence.
- work-related fatigue.
How do you identify hazards in the workplace?
- Conduct regular worksite inspections. Walk through the worksite and visually assess the types of equipment, work practices, and any potential hazards that could be harmful to workers.
- Interview workers and managers. …
- Create a hazard map.
How do you identify hazards and risks?
A hazard is something that can cause harm, e.g. electricity, chemicals, working up a ladder, noise, a keyboard, a bully at work, stress, etc. A risk is the chance, high or low, that any hazard will actually
cause somebody
harm.
Psychosocial factors are
characteristics or facets that influence an individual psychologically and/or socially
. Such factors can describe individuals in relation to their social environment and how these affect physical and mental health.
- Identify the hazards that could inflict psychological harm. …
- Assess the risks of the hazards to prioritise. …
- Control the risks. …
- Monitor and review your control measures.
What are the examples of biological hazard?
- Mold and Fungi.
- Blood and Body Fluids.
- Sewage.
- Airborne pathogens such as the common cold.
- Stinging insects.
- Harmful plants.
- Animal and Bird Droppings.
- implementing collective risk assessment and management measures, as it is done with other workplace hazards;
- adopting collective and individual preventive and control measures;
Providing information,
instruction, training and supervision
can help to protect workers from psychological health risks. management training to assist managers and supervisors support workers, identify hazards and risks at work and manage conflict.
Is stress considered a hazard?
Stress is
a workplace hazard
and employers have a legal duty to reduce the risk to workers “so far as is reasonably practicable”.
What is the effect of psychological hazard?
Exposure to psychological hazards
can negatively impact a worker’s physical and mental health
. People sometimes develop negative coping behaviours to deal with psychological hazards, such as alcohol or drug abuse, which can create further psychological distress or possibly lead to addictions.
