WorkSafe ACT has launched a Territory-first strategy to improve the management of psychological hazards at work.
WorkSafe held a special virtual event to launch its inaugural Strategy for Managing Work-Related Psychosocial Hazards 2021-2023 and dedicated the first week of National Safe Work Month (4-10 October) to raising awareness of psychological hazards.
In the Strategy, Work Health and Safety Commissioner, Jacqueline Agius said she strongly believed that every Canberran had the right to be safe at work, both physically and psychologically.
“This right to safety is enshrined in Territory WHS legislation and WorkSafe ACT inspectors enforce this every day,” Commissioner Agius said.
“Yet despite these rights, it is clear from the work of my inspectors and ACT workers’ compensation data, that many duty holders are not effectively managing work-related psychosocial hazards,” she said.
“Non-compliance is increasing harm to workers — harm that is entirely preventable.”
Commissioner Agius said it was morally and legally unacceptable for any employer to consider psychological hazards to be ‘part of the job’ or to dismiss incidents of bullying, harassment or violence as too hard to manage.
“And it is inexcusable that workers such as women, those who identify as LGBTIQA+, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the young, people with disabilities and those in the casual workforce are bearing the burden of poor management and unsafe systems of work,” she said.
The Commissioner said the Strategy aimed to build the maturity of organisations to identify psychosocial hazards and manage psychosocial risks.
Commissioner Agius said the Strategy also highlighted known psychosocial hazards in the Territory, such as work-related violence and sexual harassment.
“Our enforcement priorities are clear and all duty holders in the ACT will be held to account,” she said.
“I have clear expectations for my own office — WorkSafe ACT itself will continue to develop its capacity and capability to drive duty holders to achieve compliance.”
Commissioner Agius said empowering the Territory to be a leader in the management of psychosocial hazards was a priority for her and for WorkSafe.
The WorkSafe’s seven-page Strategy can be accessed at this PS News link.
