Psychosocial hazards
overview
Workplace psychosocial hazards are
related to the psychological and social
conditions of the workplace rather than
just the physical conditions. Workers are
likely to be exposed to a combination of
work-related psychosocial hazards and
risk factors. These include stress, fatigue,
bullying, violence, aggression,
harassment and burnout, which can be
harmful to the health of workers and
compromise their wellbeing. There are
also risk factors (e.g. misuse of alcohol or
other drugs, poor change management)
that increase the risk or potential for harm
to health from exposure to a hazard.
Examples of psychosocial hazards and
risk factors that organisations should
assess as part of the risk management
process are listed below. The list is not
exhaustive and there are other
psychosocial hazards and risk factors that
an organisation may need to consider.
https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/
psychosocial-hazards-contributing-work-
related-stress
Low job control
High and low job demands
Poor support
Poor organisational change management
Poor organisational justice
Low recognition and reward
Low role clarity
Poor workplace relationships
Poor environmental conditions
Remote and isolated work
Violent or traumatic events
https://www.uts.edu.au/about/safety-
wellbeing/preventing-injury-and-illness/
hazards/psychosocial-hazards
work-related stress,
bullying and harassment,
lone or remote working,
violence in the workplace (both from staff
and students),
fatigue, and
alcohol and drug use.
https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/
safety-topic/managing-health-and-
safety/mental-health/psychosocial-
hazards
job demands
low job control
poor support
lack of role clarity
poor organisational change management
inadequate reward and recognition
poor organisational justice
traumatic events or material
remote or isolated work
poor physical environment
violence and aggression
bullying
harassment, including sexual harassment,
and
conflict or poor workplace relationships and 6. What can be done to prevent and
interactions manage psychosocial risks?

1. What is psychosocial hazard?

2. Common psychosocial hazard
a. job demands
b. low job control
c. poor support
d. lack of role clarity
e. poor organizational change
management
f. poor organizational justice
g. inadequate reward and
recognition
h. remote or isolated work
i. poor physical environment
j. conflict or poor workplace
relationships and interactions
k. traumatic events or material
l. Inappropriate behaviors
> Workplace violence and
aggression
> bullying
> harassment, including sexual
harassment
m. Alcohol and other drug use
n. Poor physical health
3. How psychosocial hazards cause harm
4. Psychosocial hazards may interact and
combine
5. How significant is the problem?