WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY
Address psychosocial hazards in the way work is designed and managed
ABILITY GROUP helps employers examine psychosocial risks at work and plan practical controls. We focus on the work, the organisational setting and the actions leaders can take, with a scope suited to your workplace.
Psychosocial Risk Management: practical support for employers
Psychosocial risk management considers the aspects of work and its management that may contribute to psychological or physical harm. ABILITY GROUP helps employers examine the work factors behind concerns and identify practical prevention priorities. A review can focus on a team, work process or organisational issue, with clear boundaries between workplace risk management, individual treatment and separate employment matters.
What our support can cover
Work demands and resources
Review the relationship between workload, time pressures, available resources, role expectations and the conditions in which work is performed.
Role clarity, control and support
Consider how responsibilities are understood, how much influence people have over their work and where supervision or practical support may be insufficient.
Consultation and evidence
Agree appropriate ways to hear workers’ perspectives and consider relevant organisational information without treating a single measure as the whole assessment.
Work relationships and exposure
Consider risk factors associated with conflict, poor workplace behaviours, customer aggression or exposure to distressing situations, where relevant to the work.
Organisational change
Review how changes are planned, communicated and supported, and whether uncertainty or competing expectations are creating additional risk.
Controls and follow-through
Identify options that address the work factors, with responsibilities, implementation priorities and a way to review whether changes are helping.
When this service can help your business
Workload concerns are becoming persistent
Repeated reports of excessive demands, unclear priorities or inadequate support can warrant a review of how work is organised, rather than relying only on individual resilience or wellbeing activities.
A team has experienced significant change
Restructures, new systems or altered service demands may change the way people work. A review can help identify the risks associated with the transition and the support required.
Claims and workplace concerns overlap
A psychological injury claim may sit alongside broader concerns about the work environment. We can help define separate workstreams so workplace risk review, individual recovery and any employment process are not confused.
What you can expect from the engagement
Depending on scope, the work may produce a summary of the work factors reviewed, themes from the agreed evidence, control recommendations and an action plan. We discuss how information will be handled and what can reasonably be reported. The review is a workplace risk service, not a clinical diagnosis, investigation finding or assessment of an individual claim’s liability.
How we work with your team
We first define the concern, the people and work in scope, the purpose of consultation and the way findings will be used. Relevant evidence is considered together before priorities and controls are discussed. Implementation can include changes to work design, management processes, communication or support arrangements. The appropriate approach depends on the workplace and applicable requirements.
Why work with ABILITY GROUP?
WHS support is grounded in Julie Ring's WHS qualifications and the group's experience with workplace safety, injury management and workers compensation. Your engagement is scoped around the work, the relevant risks and the support your people need.
Psychosocial Risk Management FAQs
What are psychosocial hazards at work?
They are aspects of work, its environment or its management that may cause psychological or physical harm. Examples can include sustained high demands, poor support, unclear roles, harmful behaviour or exposure to traumatic events, depending on the circumstances.
Is an employee wellbeing program enough?
A wellbeing program may be useful, but it does not by itself address the work factors creating risk. A psychosocial risk review considers the design and management of work and the controls relevant to the identified concerns.
Does the review diagnose mental health conditions?
No. This service considers workplace risks and organisational arrangements. Individual diagnosis and treatment are clinical matters. Where an employee also needs recovery or rehabilitation support, that should be appropriately referred and separately scoped.
Can you review psychosocial risks without conducting a staff survey?
Yes. The evidence and consultation methods should fit the question and workplace. A survey may be one option, but interviews, discussions, observations and existing information may also be relevant. We agree a suitable approach before the review.
Is this a workplace misconduct investigation?
No. A psychosocial risk review examines work factors and prevention priorities. Allegations, disciplinary processes, legal advice and liability decisions require their own appropriate processes. We clarify the boundaries when related issues are present.
Can a review help where a psychological injury claim already exists?
It can help examine relevant workplace risk factors while individual claim and recovery matters are managed through their appropriate channels. The review does not determine the claim outcome or substitute for treatment, legal advice or insurer decisions.
How do you handle sensitive information?
We agree the information needed, consultation arrangements, intended reporting and relevant access before starting. Participants should understand the purpose and limits of the process. Information handling must suit the engagement, applicable requirements and the sensitivity of the material.
Related support for your organisation
WHS Consulting for Employers · Risk Assessments & Reviews · WHS Systems & Reviews · Injury Management Consulting
Discuss the support your business needs
Tell us about your organisation, the issue you want to address and any decision or timeframe that matters. We will discuss a suitable starting point and scope of support.
Call (02) 9098 5500 or request a complimentary business review.
Further information
Safe Work Australia: psychosocial hazards
Guidance and service arrangements depend on the relevant jurisdiction and circumstances. NSW resources are provided as NSW references.