Online Training

Psycho-Social Hazards: Risk Assessment and Response

Navigating, preventing and managing psychosocial hazards in the workplace

12 February and 19 February 2025

10:00 AM - 2:30 PM AEDT

Next intake: 12 February and 19 February 2025 | 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM AEDT

Overview

Building on your foundational knowledge of psycho-social hazards, this course takes a deep dive into the advanced aspects of risk management, focusing on practical application. You’ve already covered the basics—now it’s time to implement detailed risk assessments, establish robust control measures, and build a system for ongoing evaluation and improvement.
With more than 45% of Australian workers reporting that work is a significant source of stress, and psycho-social hazards costing businesses an estimated $5 billion annually due to lost productivity and absenteeism, effective risk management is no longer optional—it’s critical. Research shows that organisations with strong psycho-social hazard controls have 30% lower turnover rates and experience 20% fewer workplace incidents related to mental health issues.

This training is designed for professionals who understand the complexities of psycho-social hazards but need the next-level tools to effectively manage, mitigate, and respond to them. It’s not just about awareness anymore—it’s about actionable strategies that protect your workforce, enhance operational resilience, and promote a culture of continuous improvement.

By leveraging your foundational knowledge, this course will guide you through the nuances of risk prioritisation, resource allocation, and the development of proactive response strategies. Whether you’re tackling high-stress environments, managing sensitive interpersonal issues, or refining existing controls, you’ll leave with practical skills to make meaningful improvements in your organisation’s psychosocial safety.

 

Who Should Attend?

Co-ordinator, Officer, Advisor, Lead, Manager, Adviser, Leader, Specialist, Business Partner, Project Officer from Federal, State and Local government organisations
Occupational Psychologist | Workplace health and safety | Employee Wellbeing
Human Resources | Health, Safety & Wellbeing | Conflict Resolution Specialist/Mediator
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) | Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) | Mental Health
Organisational Counsellor | Organisational Psychologist | Employee Relations

Learning Outcomes

Conduct Comprehensive Risk Assessments: Build on your existing knowledge to conduct in-depth risk assessments, identifying not only the hazards but also prioritising those with the highest potential impact on your workforce.
Develop and Implement Control Measures: Establish effective and tailored controls to mitigate identified risks, ensuring that your organisation's processes are adaptable and proactive in managing psycho-social hazards.
Evaluate and Improve Existing Controls: Learn how to regularly assess the effectiveness of existing controls and fine-tune them based on changing work environments and emerging risks.
Integrate Emotional Intelligence into Risk Management: Apply emotional intelligence principles to create a supportive and inclusive workplace, where psycho-social risks are identified early, and staff feel empowered to raise concerns.
Drive Data-Driven Decision-Making: Use evidence and data to prioritise risks and allocate resources efficiently, ensuring that your risk management strategies are based on measurable factors.
Lead Continuous Improvement: Establish systems and processes for continuous monitoring and improvement of psycho-social hazard controls, ensuring your organisation stays ahead of emerging challenges.
Enhance Stakeholder Collaboration: Work with cross-functional teams including HR, safety specialists, and leadership to foster collaboration in managing psycho-social risks across the organisation.
Support Organisational Culture and Well-being: Ensure that your approach to risk management contributes to a positive workplace culture, enhances employee well-being, and meets legal compliance requirements.

Online Training

Psycho-Social Hazards: Risk Assessment and Response


Session details

  • For those already well-versed in identifying psycho-social hazards, this course is the logical next step. According to recent reports, over 70% of workers who experience workplace stress believe that better management of psycho-social risks would improve their mental health and productivity. Moreover, organisations that implement comprehensive risk controls see a 15% increase in employee satisfaction and a 25% reduction in absenteeism.
  • This course is tailored for professionals ready to take control of the processes that ensure psycho-social safety. You’ll learn how to set up a risk management framework that adapts to evolving workplace challenges, supports employee well-being, and delivers measurable improvements. By attending, you’ll also gain insights into the latest risk assessment methodologies, equipping you with the skills to reduce hazards before they escalate into serious issues.
  • Now is the time to deepen your expertise, refine your risk management strategies, and take your organisation’s psychosocial safety to the next level.
View course modules

Level: Fundamentals

Participants should come prepared with examples of existing processes or areas requiring psychosocial hazard risk assessments to apply the course's teachings directly to their work environments

Key Sessions

Psycho-social hazards are aspects of the workplace environment and job design that can cause psychological or social harm to employees. These include factors like excessive workload, lack of support, bullying, harassment, job insecurity, and poor work-life balance. Over time, these hazards can lead to stress, burnout, anxiety, or depression, impacting both employee well-being and workplace productivity. Effectively managing psycho-social hazards is crucial to maintaining a healthy and safe work environment.

10.30am The business case for managing psychosocial risk 

  • What we mean by mental health and wellbeing 
  • Why mentally healthy workplaces are good for business 

 

11.00am Introducing the risk assessment process 

  • The risk assessment process 
  • Protective and hazardous psychosocial factors 
  • Psychosocial hazard identification activity 

1:00pm Assessing risk and prioritising controls 

  • Considering vulnerability that increases risk  
  • Balancing controls to manage exposure to hazards 
  • Mapping your controls activity 

 

1.45pm Job design to manage psychosocial hazards 

  • Job design as a critical control 
  • Understanding work as done 
  • What good job design looks like 

10.15am Leaders as the first line of defence 

  • Leaders as a critical control 
  • Understanding what psychosocial leadership behaviour looks like 
  • Leader activity 

 

11.00am Having care conversations as part of early intervention 

  • Recognising the signs 
  • How to conduct a care conversation 
  • Escalation to support 

12.15pm Integrated roles and responsibilities for managing psychosocial risk 

  • What an integrated approach to psychological health and safety looks like 
  • Shared roles and responsibilities across role functions 
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of psychosocial risk management  

 

1.30pm Escalation pathways   

  • Internal supports 
  • External supports 
  • Mapping your escalation pathways activity 

Meet Your Facilitator

Louisa Detez

Organisational Psychologist and Principal Consultant, Australian Psychological Services

Louisa is a registered organisational psychologist and principal consultant at Australian Psychological Services. Louisa has worked in and consulting for many different government and private sector organisations, including the resources sector, education, state and federal government, global accounting and law firms, quick service restaurants, emergency services and policing, healthcare and not-for-profit. Louisa has extensive experience supporting companies to meet their psychological health and safety regulatory requirements – some of which includes conducting psychosocial risk assessments, developing and applying trauma management and critical incident response frameworks and delivering capability development training. Louisa is a keen facilitator and enjoys working with all levels within organisations, from senior executives, middle managers, down to frontline staff.  

Louisa is passionate about creating sustainable healthy workplaces and supporting everyone to understand the role they play in creating great work environments. 

What your peers had to say

“Very relevant for me in my role, informative and well targeted, helpful information and resources.”

“The course was detailed and informative. Well explained and had great interaction points.”

Register Today

Join this training for professionals working within the Public Sector

Pay for individual courses

Extra Early Bird

Ends 29 Nov

$A 795

per person + tax $400 saving

 

Early Bird

Ends 24 Jan

$A 995

per person + tax $200 saving

 

Regular

Ends 11 Feb

$A 1195

per person + tax

Additional discounts are available for group registrations of 10 or more. For group or payment enquiries or custom training solutions, please contact [email protected]

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