A8.2
Tracks
Stream A
| Saturday, October 31, 2026 |
| 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM |
Overview
Preventing Harm Through Work Design: Translating Evidence into Practice for First Responder Settings | 30 mins
Presenter
Ms Judy Chi
Future Of Work Institute, Curtin University
Preventing Harm Through Work Design: Translating Evidence into Practice for First Responder Settings
11:00 AM - 11:30 AMAbstract
Aim: This presentation outlines the development of work design resources aimed at supporting the prevention of psychosocial harm in first responder settings. It focuses on translating work design principles into practice through a participatory approach, with particular attention to embedding these considerations early in the design process within complex operational environments.
Content: First responders face well-documented risks to psychosocial health, shaped not only by exposure to critical incidents, but also by the design of work itself. While increasing regulatory attention on psychosocial hazards has driven action, organisations often face challenges in operationalising evidence-informed frameworks in ways that are practical and contextually relevant. In first responder work, which is characterised by high-risk operations and structured command hierarchies, there are often limited opportunities for self-initiated or proactive shaping of work to increase resources and manage work demands.
Funded by the Mental Health Commission and delivered by the Future of Work Institute (FOWI), this project partnered with five first responder agencies in Western Australia to co-design and implement a suite of Prevent Harm toolkits. These toolkits are designed to enhance everyday work practices such as learning, care, and career conversations, along with mentoring and team-based support mechanisms embedded within operational contexts to support wellbeing in first responder settings.
The session will outline the participatory approach underpinning this work, including stakeholder engagement, subject matter expert input, and consultation with frontline personnel through focus groups and iterative feedback. This approach was critical in identifying relevant touchpoints, work design levers, and integration opportunities within first responder work environments, as well as the challenges of designing and implementing these toolkits across multiple agencies with differing structures, priorities, and operational constraints.
Goals: This presentation aims to provide a practice-oriented account of how work design principles can be translated into prevention-focused actions, and to highlight key considerations for meaningfully embedding these practices within first responder environments.
Co-authros: Karina Jorristma, Alex Boeing, Henry Gunson, Katrina Hosszu
Content: First responders face well-documented risks to psychosocial health, shaped not only by exposure to critical incidents, but also by the design of work itself. While increasing regulatory attention on psychosocial hazards has driven action, organisations often face challenges in operationalising evidence-informed frameworks in ways that are practical and contextually relevant. In first responder work, which is characterised by high-risk operations and structured command hierarchies, there are often limited opportunities for self-initiated or proactive shaping of work to increase resources and manage work demands.
Funded by the Mental Health Commission and delivered by the Future of Work Institute (FOWI), this project partnered with five first responder agencies in Western Australia to co-design and implement a suite of Prevent Harm toolkits. These toolkits are designed to enhance everyday work practices such as learning, care, and career conversations, along with mentoring and team-based support mechanisms embedded within operational contexts to support wellbeing in first responder settings.
The session will outline the participatory approach underpinning this work, including stakeholder engagement, subject matter expert input, and consultation with frontline personnel through focus groups and iterative feedback. This approach was critical in identifying relevant touchpoints, work design levers, and integration opportunities within first responder work environments, as well as the challenges of designing and implementing these toolkits across multiple agencies with differing structures, priorities, and operational constraints.
Goals: This presentation aims to provide a practice-oriented account of how work design principles can be translated into prevention-focused actions, and to highlight key considerations for meaningfully embedding these practices within first responder environments.
Co-authros: Karina Jorristma, Alex Boeing, Henry Gunson, Katrina Hosszu
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Judy Chi is an Applied Organisational Research Leader at the Future of Work Institute, Curtin University, specialising in work design, workplace mental health, and research translation. She has led industry-partnered projects across sectors including emergency services, mining, private industry, and the public sector.
Judy’s work focuses on designing evidence-based interventions that address psychosocial risks, improve work design, and build organisational capability. She has extensive experience facilitating participatory approaches to translate workforce insights into practical, sustainable changes to work practices and organisational systems. She is particularly interested in bridging the gap between research and operational realities, ensuring that interventions are evidence-informed and fit-for-purpose within unique organisational contexts.
