I had the opportunity to present on Psychosocial Safety at the National Bulk Tankers annual conference in Melbourne recently.
The session covered the psychosocial safety framework end to end, with a focus on the code elements most relevant to the transport industry (see below).
A key discussion point was how several of the psychosocial hazards identified in the States WHS Regulations and Codes can show up in transport environments, including:
• Being first responders at crash scenes
• Long periods of remote or isolated work
• Workload and operational demands placed on drivers
These hazards are recognised in the NSW SafeWork guidance and are highly relevant in day-to-day transport operations.
What stood out in the discussion was that psychosocial safety should be approached like any other workplace risk.
Just as organisations identify physical safety hazards and put controls in place, i.e. using PPE being a simple example, the same principles need to be applied.
The regulations require organisations to assess psychosocial hazards, understand where risk exists and implement the hierarchy of controls to reduce exposure before harm occurs.
One of the critical requirements of the regulations and codes is that employers need to consult with their workforce as they work through this process.
If you get this right and take a holistic approach, it helps organisations build mentally fit workplaces, creating safer, more sustainable operations.
#PsychosocialSafety #WHS #TransportIndustry #SafetyLeadership #MentalHealthAtWork #IndustrialRelations #Leadership #WorkplaceSafety
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