New code to improve mental health in Qld workplaces

The Queensland Government has implemented a new psychosocial code of practice, which came into effect on Saturday, 1 April 2023. The new code — Managing the risk of psychosocial hazards at work Code of Practice — is designed to empower Queensland businesses with practical information and guidance to create mentally healthy workplaces across the state.

The code, which is the first legally enforceable code of its type in Australia, will directly address psychological health risks at work, which can range from exposure to traumatic events to remote or isolated working. The code includes advice on how to comply with existing health and safety obligations, after a national review found many employers were unsure of their duties to manage psychological health and safety risks at work. It also provides practical examples of managing psychosocial hazards in the workplace, industry-specific case studies and a range of helpful templates that businesses can tailor.

Minister for Industrial Relations Grace Grace said research has shown that workers benefit from psychologically healthy workplaces through better individual health, increased job satisfaction, commitment, positive attitudes toward self-development and lower rates of work-related physical injuries.

“The Palaszczuk government is yet again leading the nation when it comes to the health and safety of our workers. We know that physical risks and hazards are often more visible: being able to prevent a psychological injury is not always as obvious. That’s why we created the code — to protect workers, support businesses to have a greater awareness of what signs and symptoms to look for and to provide a framework to minimise risks,” Grace said.

WHS Mental Health Ambassador Hayley Lewis encouraged business owners and workers to be vigilant to the signs of mental health. “I just wanted to swim, but this came with its struggles, and it’s when my mental health battle began. I was struggling on the inside, but this was the ’90s when mental health wasn’t something spoken about — especially in sport, it was considered a weakness. But things got so much worse when my happy 34-year-old sister who taught PE and had three kids took her own life; I knew she wasn’t herself but everyone who knew her didn’t see it coming. How could someone that seemed to have everything in life make that decision? Today, I am proud to be a mental health ambassador for Queensland. If you’re worried about someone, talk with someone you feel safe with, and know there’s nothing wrong if choosing to talk with a psychologist — it can be the best thing you ever do,” Lewis said.

Further information about the code and support for businesses is available online, with in-person regional events to take place in the coming weeks.

Image credit: iStock.com/Chinnapong