This workshop focuses on building participants’ understanding and capability relating to the practicalities of implementing the Work Health and Safety (WHS) regulations relating to Psychosocial Risk Management in organisations. Facilitated by Psychologist Consultants from the Health and Safety team of a global consulting firm with extensive experience in sustainability and risk management, the workshop will use de-identified client case studies to discuss lesson learnt at each stage of operationalising and implementing the Psychosocial Risk Management Process.

Since the Psychosocial amendments to Commonwealth WHS laws were introduced in 2022-23, organisations have focused on assessing their organisation’s maturity and compliance in identifying, assessing, and controlling their psychosocial risks. Today, organisations are focused on operationalising the legislative requirements and on effectively controlling the risk of psychological harm.

However, for most organisations, applying the risk management process to psychosocial risk is relatively new and for practitioners who are familiar with traditional risk methodologies, the application to psychosocial risk has presented various challenges. For example, psychosocial risk is highly complex in nature, multidimensional and less linear than other types of hazards and traditional risk models. Existing methodologies (i.e., 2x2 risk matrices) are limited at adequately addressing this complexity and do not account for the requirement to assess duration, frequency and severity of exposure to psychosocial hazards or the interaction between hazards. Additionally, there is lack of clarity in relation to process ownership, responsibilities and systems for data capture and reporting.

The workshop facilitators have been through this journey with several clients and while they have learnt valuable lessons along the way, there is an opportunity for greater sharing of knowledge and experiences for practitioners to support organisations in controlling this complex and critical risk. Using the four-steps of the Psychosocial Risk Management Process, de-identified client case studies, vignettes and the empirical literature, the workshop aims to share key lessons through facilitated discussions and activities to increase awareness and uplift capability in psychosocial risk management. This will include topics such as: ethical dilemmas and considerations throughout the process; disentangling inconsistencies in regulatory guidance; working through the complexity to effectively and systematically assess and control psychosocial risk; understanding shared responsibilities and the need for integration between functions like Human Resources and Health & Safety; and the role of psychologists within this evolving area.

Participants will leave the workshop with an increased knowledge of considerations and practicalities when working as advisors on psychosocial risk management.

At the close of the workshop participants will be able to:

1. Appreciate the importance of recognising the complex and dynamic nature of psychosocial risk and the important role of psychologists in this evolving space.
2. Understand the limitations and opportunities to leverage and enhance existing risk methodologies to manage psychosocial risk systematically and effectively.
3. Apply strategies to help organisations operationalise the legislative requirements and implement an effective psychosocial risk management process.

The learning goals will be addressed through activities in which participants work in small groups to discuss solutions and considerations to vignettes. Participants will also contribute to discussions about challenges and ways forwards as psychologists working on psychosocial risk management.