SafeWork Australia celebrated World Mental Health Day over the weekend (10 October) by dedicating a week of its National Safe Work Month campaign to protecting mental health at work.
In a statement, the SafeWork Australia said prioritising the management of psychosocial hazards to protect people’s mental health at work was more important than ever.
“This week for National Safe Work Month, learn how to create a psychologically healthy and safe workplace,” It said.
“Under work health and safety laws, PCBUs (person conducting a business or undertaking) have a duty to protect workers from psychosocial risks as well as physical risks.
“The best way to do this is by applying the same risk management process used to manage physical risks, including consulting with workers.”
SafeWork said workplace managers and employers could learn how to identify, assess and manage psychosocial risks at work by using its free People at Work online tool which included supporting resources.
It encouraged people to get involved in the Month by reading its infographic on managing psychosocial risks at work; participating in the Month’s virtual events and initiatives; and sharing National Safe Work Month animations on social media.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt said the theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day, Mental health care for all: let’s make it a reality, was about taking action to ensure that everyone had access to mental health services.
Further information on managing mental health risks at work can be accessed on SafeWork’s National Safe Work Month website at this PS News link.
