Worksafe New Zealand has made it mandatory for all workplaces to actively manage the following psychosocial health hazards:
- Stress
- Bullying
- Fatigue
Workplaces need to demonstrate a risk assessment has been completed for these psychosocial hazards. Plus controls to manage these health hazards must be in place. Controls can include things like:
- Having an inappropriate behaviour policy, and a process to manage it if it occurs i.e. complaint of bullying or harassment
- Encouraging workers to take their annual leave
- Implementing a stress management policy and ensuring it is adhered to
- Ensuring people don’t work unreasonable hours (even if they want to)
- Providing options for flexible work hours
Furthermore there is no one size fits all, it is best to tailor these psychosocial controls to suit the work environment. The first step is to gather information on the current trends in the workplace, for example:
- Turnover rates
- Rates of absenteeism
- Accidents or near misses
- Exit interview results
- Psychosocial risk assessment survey
Once the trends are identified, then assess the risk and decide on the appropriate controls to reduce the likelihood of harm. Finally, implement these controls, and review their effectiveness over time.
Need some help with psychosocial health hazards?
Give Juliette Smale a call to help gather the data and decide on the right psychosocial controls for your workplace, phone 021 444 121 or email info@aureum.co.nz