Overview

Since December 2022 the WA Code of Practice has made psychosocial hazard management a legislative imperative with penalties attached to non-compliance. Psychosocial hazard management is a safety science, built on the foundations of physical safety procedures and principles. The discipline has a unique language and complexity. Understanding how to undertake an effective psychosocial risk assessment takes time and effort.

The Code of Practice explicitly sets out the responsibilities of employers in establishing a psychosocial hazard risk management plan. This process involves risk identification, prioritisation and assessment, review of controls (or actions) that are already in place to make sure they are effective, and planning the implementation of new controls, which are then added to your Psychosocial Risk Management Plan.

There is concern amongst employers that opening the conversation around psychosocial hazards in the workplace will open a Pandora’s box of dissatisfaction. RSO Consulting has developed a unique approach to this work grounded in the contemporary science of personal and organisation resilience. This master class will provide you with the knowledge and tools required to confidently conduct a psychosocial risk assessment in your organisation.

Learning Objectives

• Understand Legislative Requirements – Explain the WA Code of Practice (2022) and the legal responsibilities of employers in managing psychosocial hazards, including penalties for non compliance.
• Define Psychosocial Hazards – Identify the key psychosocial risk factors in the workplace, their impact on employee wellbeing, and how they differ from physical safety risks.
• Apply Risk Assessment Principles – Conduct a structured psychosocial risk assessment, including risk identification, prioritisation, and evaluation of existing controls.
• Implement Effective Controls – Evaluate and enhance current workplace controls to mitigate psychosocial hazards, ensuring they are practical, evidence-based, and sustainable.
• Navigate Organisational Resistance – Address common employer concerns about opening discussions on psychosocial hazards and learn strategies to manage resistance and build engagement.
• Use a Resilience-Based Approach – Integrate personal and organisational resilience science into psychosocial hazard management to create a stronger, more adaptive workforce.
• Develop a Psychosocial Risk Management Plan – Create an actionable Psychosocial Risk Management Plan that aligns with compliance requirements and supports workplace wellbeing.
• Monitor and Review Risk Management Strategies – Establish ongoing review processes to measure effectiveness, track improvements, and ensure continuous enhancement of psychosocial risk controls.

Who should attend?

• Human Resource Professionals
• Occupational Health Specialists
• Health and Safety Managers
• Business Owners

Topics Covered

• Understanding Psychosocial Hazards and Legislative Requirements Objective
• Conducting a Psychosocial Risk Assessment Objective
• Implementing and Strengthening Risk Controls Objective
• Overcoming Resistance and Building a Resilient Workplace Objective
• Monitoring, Reviewing, and Sustaining Psychosocial Risk Management Objective