NSW adopts WHS regulations to address psychosocial hazards at work

New South Wales will be among the first jurisdictions in Australia to implement recent changes to the national model WHS regulations, which recognise psychosocial hazards in the workplace and require businesses to implement control measures to manage risks. Natasha Mann, Head of SafeWork NSW, said businesses are already implementing the NSW Code of Practice: Managing psychosocial hazards at work, with new laws which provide workplaces with clarity on their obligations and specifying control measures they could use.

Mann said that the new regulations require businesses to, as far as reasonably practicable, eliminate psychosocial risks and advise what should be considered when implementing appropriate control measures.

“Psychosocial risks and hazards can cause a stress response leading to psychological or physical harm. They can stem from the work itself in the way it is designed and managed, from hazardous working environments, equipment use and social factors in the workplace,” Mann said.

The changes will also complement the establishment of SafeWork NSW’s Respect@Work Taskforce, the NSW Government’s $9.7 million response to the Respect@Work Report on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace. After a number of incidents, the model regulations will also provide improved record keeping and operator training for amusement devices and passenger ropeways.

“At the Sydney Easter Show this year we saw what can happen quickly on amusement rides. By putting in place greater requirements for training and more robust reporting we will see operators required to lift industry standards,” Mann said.

The Work Health and Safety Amendment Regulation 2022 makes several amendments to the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017.

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