SafeWork SA inspectors will be visiting workplaces over the coming months to ensure businesses are managing the risks associated with psychological safety in the workplace and that they have safe systems in place.

Every business can be affected to some degree by work-related psychosocial risks including bullying, harassment and environmental factors, all of which can have a significant negative impact on individuals in the workplace.

According to the 2020 Indicators of a Thriving Workplace Report, three in five workers (59.5%) experienced a mental health condition and more than half of workers (55.1%) report that no action is being taken in their workplace to address mental health.

The SafeWork SA audits will primarily focus in assisting and guiding businesses in understanding their obligations, and ensure that risks to workers’ psychological health arising from inappropriate workplace behaviours are being appropriately managed.

SafeWork SA Executive Director, Martyn Campbell said the planned audits are a reminder for businesses to take psychological safety as seriously as workers physical safety.

“Employers have a responsibility to provide a safe and healthy workplace and this extends to psychological safety, not only physical safety.

There are many resources available online to businesses to help them in meeting their WHS responsibilities and understand how to create an integrated physical and psychological safe and healthy workplace.

A new and free validated psychosocial risk assessment tool, People at Work was recently launched by Mr Campbell, to allow businesses to easily identify, assess and control risks to psychological health and safety.

Like all work health and safety hazards, these risks need to be managed in accordance with WHS legislative requirements. Everyone deserves to feel safe at work”, said Mr Campbell.