Psychosocial Hazards for Small Business: What You Actually Need to Do
Learn what psychosocial hazards mean for a small business, the practical steps you can take and the evidence clients may expect to see.
Topics: WHS, Small Business, Psychosocial Hazards, Rockingham
At our recent From Safety to Success Small Business Seminar Series session, we explored what small businesses need to have in place to meet their work health and safety responsibilities, demonstrate their capability and confidently respond when a client asks for evidence.
As part of the session, Daniel Paxby from Praxis Safety led an important discussion on psychosocial hazards and what managing these risks actually looks like for a small business.
For many small business owners, psychosocial hazards can still feel like a complicated corporate issue. Terms such as workplace stress, psychological safety and psychosocial risk can make it sound like you need a large HR team, expensive software or another lengthy policy.
The reality is much simpler.
If you employ or engage workers, psychosocial hazards form part of your work health and safety responsibilities, just like physical hazards.
The requirements apply to businesses of all sizes, but the approach you take should be practical and proportionate to your business and the work you undertake.
What Are Psychosocial Hazards?
Psychosocial hazards are aspects of work that may cause psychological or physical harm.
They can arise from how work is designed, managed or carried out, as well as workplace behaviours and relationships.