Model Work Health and Safety Act Identification and Management of Psychological Hazards and Risks
Overview Model Work Health and Safety Act Understanding the Key Definitions The role of consultation in psychological health How to Identify and Manage Psychological Hazards The role of NT WorkSafe Resources available to assist businesses and workers
Harmonisation of OHS Legislation The harmonisation of OHS Legislation and priority Codes of Practice in Australia are to come into effect on January 1st 2012. The Implementation of second stage Codes of Practice will continue throughout 2012. Harmonisation of OHS legislation What this means?
Important Definitions and terms from the model act Meaning of Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) Meaning of Worker Meaning of Workplace Management of Risks What is Reasonably Practicable
Principal Duty Holder: Employer s obligations now PCBU Employer Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU)
Duties under the Model WHS Act Primary Duty of Care The principal duty holder is a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) Duties of Officers Workers and other persons
Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU): Safe Systems of Work; Health of Workers & Conditions are Monitored Plant, Substances And Structures PCBU Information, Instruction And Training Work Environment Welfare Facilities
How does The Model OHS legislation address Psychological Health? Changes to legislation are giving greater prominence to psychological risk factors at work. In the Model Work Health and Safety Act: Health is defined to mean Physical and Psychological Health
Mental Stress Claims BODY STRESSING 19% BEING HIT BY MOVING OBJECTS 23% 12% FALLS, TRIPS AND SLIPS OF A PERSON HITTING OBJECTS WITH A PART OF THE BODY OTHER AND UNSPECIFIED MECHANISMS OR INCIDENT MENTAL STRESS 5% CHEMICALS AND OTHER SUBSTANCES 28% 2% 0% 3% 3% 5% HEAT, ELECTRICITY AHND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS BIOLOGICAL FACTORS SOUND AND PRESSURE
Mental Stress Claims in the NT OTHER HARASSMENT 2% HARASSMENT 4% EXPOSURE TO A TRAUMATIC EVENT 7% EXPOSURE TO WORKPLACE OR OCCUPATIONAL VIOLENCE 18 % OTHER MENTAL STRESS FACTORS 2% SUICIDE OR ATTEMPTED SUICIDE 0% WORK PRESSURE 44% WORKPLACE BULLYING 23% Statistics obtained from NT compensation data
Mental Stress Claims by Industry HEALTH AND COM M UNITY SERVICES EDUCATION GOVERNM ENT ADM INISTRATION AND DEFENCE 26% PERSONAL AND OTHER SERVICES PROPERTY AND BUSINESS SERVICES RETAIL TRADE TRANSPORT AND STORAGE ACCOM M ODATION, CAFES AND RESTAURANTS CONSTRUCTION CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES M INING 11% 13 % 19 % FINANCE AND INSURANCE M ANUFACTURING ELECTRICITY, GAS AND WATER SUPPLY AGRICULTURE & FISHING WHOLESALE TRADE COM M UNICATIONS SERVICES
Mental Stress Claims Occupations WELFARE AND COMMUNITY WORKERS PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS REGISTERED NURSES GENERAL MANAGERS 7% 6% 5% 5% 16% SPECIAL CARE WORKERS 7% PROJECT AND PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORS SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS 8% 8% 8% 8% 11% 11% POLICE OFFICERS PRISON OFFICERS SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS GUARDS AND SECURITY OFFICERS HUMAN RESOURCE PROFESSIONALS
Hazards that may Impact Psychological Health: Bullying and Harassment Alcohol and Drugs Violence Psychological Hazards Work Pressure Fatigue
Impact of exposure to psychological hazards resulting in injury: WORKER ORGANISATION SOCIETY FAMILY
psychologically safe workplace v s psychologically unsafe workplace Energized Engaged Enthusiastic Calm Creative Helpful More likely to care Demoralized Disengaged Depressed Anxious Resentful Unhelpful Less likely to care
Management of Risks Hazard means a situation or thing that has the potential to harm a person for example: Bullying, Violence etc.. Risk is the likelihood that a harmful consequence (death, injury or illness) might result when exposed to a hazard. Risk management is a duty imposed on a person to eliminate the risk and the best way of achieving this is to remove the hazard. If this is not possible the risk must be minimised so far as is reasonably practicable.
What is Reasonably Practicable? LIKLIHOOD and DEGREE and KNOWLEDGE and AVAILABILITY and after assessing all of the above the then the COST
Prevention and Management of Psychological Injury Management Commitment Step 1 Identify Hazards Step 2 Assess The Risk Step 3 Control Measure Step 4 Monitor and Review CONSULTATION
Consultation is Key
Consultation is an essential part of risk management for psychological hazards PCBU s have a legal obligation to consult. Consultation is a proactive process Consultation with workers and other duty holder is a legal obligations and important in ensuring that psychological hazards have been identified and in determining the most effective methods to eliminate or minimise the psychological hazards and risks
When Consultation is Required? Identifying Hazards and Risks Making decisions about Procedures Consultation is Required Making Decisions about ways to control risks Proposing changes that May affect health and safety Decisions about adequacy of welfare facilities
Duty to Consult Nature of Consultation Requires: Information shared View expressed and taking into account Advised of outcome Consultative tools Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) Health and Safety Committees
Psychological Hazard- Work Pressure Identify if Work Pressure is or could be a problem: Productivity Rates of absenteeism Turnover/exit interviews Staff engagement/ turnover Worker surveys Analyse incident reports Focus groups Risk Factors Demands Control Support Roles Relationships Change Recognition and reward Organisational Culture
Psychological Hazard- Bullying Identify if Bullying is or could be a problem: Absenteeism, complaints, sick leave, staff turnover Results from workforce surveys Hazard reports Exit interviews Issues raised by HSR s Workers compensation claims Risk Factors Organisational Culture Negative leadership style Inappropriate systems of work Poor workplace relationships Workforce characteristics
Psychological Hazard- Fatigue Identify if Fatigue is or could be a problem Observe work practices Communicating and consulting with management, supervisor and workers about impact of workloads, schedules, travel Examine personal records hours works, unusual hours Incident/accident records Task being carried out Risk Factors Mental and physical demands of work Work scheduling and planning Environmental conditions Organisational factors Individual and Lifestyle factors fatigue management policy
Psychological Hazard- Violence Identify if Violence is or could be a problem hazard and incident reports discussions with health and safety representatives discussions with workplace health and safety committees discussions with workers, customers or clients workplace inspections workers compensation claims. Risk Factors Occupational Group Physical environment Operational procedures and work systems Workers and staffing Training
Psychological Hazard- Alcohol and Other Drugs Identify if Alcohol and other Drugs is or could be a problem type of workplace culture usage of alcohol and/or other drugs in relevant social groups availability of alcohol and/or other drugs Absenteeism Staff turnover Conflict Incident records Risk Factors Workplace Culture inadequate job design and training inadequate supervision extended working hours or shift work interpersonal factors poor working conditions Alcohol and Other Drug Policy Support
Important to Remember for Management of Psychological Risks Consultation for Risk Management Work with HR Create Awareness Develop a Policies and Procedures in Consultation with workers Provide Information, Instruction Training Encourage Reporting Support
The Role of NT WorkSafe when dealing with complaints Gather information from the complainant. Depending on the information gathered it may be assigned to a Workplace Safety Inspector to make further inquires. Depending on the case the inspector may investigate the complaint and carry out enforcement measures if necessary.
Resources available to Assist Approved Codes of Practice Work health and safety Consultation, Co-operation and Co-ordination How to manage Work Health and Safety Risks. Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Preventing and Responding to Bullying in the workplace Preventing and Managing Fatigue in the Workplace
Further Information Website www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au Website www.worksafe.nt.gov.au Email model.legislation@safeworkaustralia.gov.au
Thank You. Questions