Managing psychosocial hazards in Queensland's resources industries

Workplaces have an obligation to protect the health and safety of workers under Queensland's resources safety and health legislation. This includes managing the risk of exposure to psychosocial hazards.

As the safety and health regulator for Queensland's resources industry, Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) regulates obligation holders to ensure risks of psychosocial hazards are effectively managed.

Management of psychosocial hazards must take a similar approach to other safety and health risks on site, using a risk management approach.

  1. Identify how, when, and where psychosocial hazards may occur.
  2. Assess the likelihood of and risks associated with worker exposure to identified psychosocial hazards.
  3. Implement appropriate controls to effectively manage the risk.
  4. Monitor and review the implementation and effectiveness of controls.

Consistent with physical hazards, the risk management of psychosocial hazards must include consultation with workers.

Workplace psychosocial hazards

Psychosocial hazards include a broad range of work-related factors that can impact a worker's health and safety—physically and psychologically. Exposure to multiple psychosocial hazards, particularly of a high intensity, frequency or duration, increases the risk of harm to workers.

Common psychosocial hazards include:

  • harassment (including sexual harassment)
  • bullying
  • violence and aggression
  • poor workplace relationships
  • poor environmental conditions
  • remote or isolated work
  • exposure to traumatic events
  • poor organisational change management
  • low job control
  • high and/or low job demands
  • low role clarity
  • low reward and recognition
  • poor organisational justice
  • poor support.

Resource workers can potentially be exposed to a range of psychosocial hazards through their employment.

Incidents involving exposure to psychosocial hazards, including poor environmental conditions at accommodation facilities associated with Queensland’s resources industry, can be reported to RSHQ.

How psychosocial hazards impact health

Exposure to psychosocial hazards can provoke a stress response which can lead to psychological harm and physical health issues.

Health impacts from exposure to psychosocial hazards can include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal thoughts, sleep disorders, cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal injuries, immune deficiencies and gastrointestinal conditions.

Some psychosocial hazards, including violence and aggression and poor environmental conditions, can directly lead to physical injury or harm.

Making a report to RSHQ

If you are in immediate danger or your health and wellbeing is being threatened, contact the police on Triple Zero (call 000).

Affected persons

If you have been affected by or witnessed exposure to psychosocial hazards at a Queensland mine, quarry, or petroleum or gas operation, you can make a report to RSHQ's designated psychosocial team by:

RSHQ recognises it can be distressing sharing details of a potentially traumatic event. Our trained officers aim to create a trauma-sensitive environment where individuals can share their experience in a safe, informed, and flexible way. We also aim to inform and/or connect individuals with accessible and relevant support services.

Anonymous reports

RSHQ can receive anonymous reports. If you wish to remain anonymous, we will endeavour to protect your privacy. However, the scope of any enquiry or investigation we conduct may be limited to best protect your privacy and that of other affected persons.

Industry notifications to RSHQ

Queensland resources obligation holders are required to notify RSHQ of incidents arising from psychosocial hazards in accordance with statutory reporting requirements. Read Reporting incidents and disease (PDF, 512KB) for information about reporting obligations.

To report a psychosocial hazard incident:

Contact us

Contact RSHQ's psychosocial team on 1300 581 077 or at psychosocial@rshq.qld.gov.au if you have questions or concerns about making psychosocial hazard industry notifications, including privacy and confidentiality considerations.

RSHQ's role in responding to reports

After receiving a report, our psychosocial team reviews the available information to determine appropriate action, prioritising the wishes and privacy of affected persons. Our investigations focus on whether obligation holders have managed the risks of psychosocial hazards effectively including prevention, management and response to these risks.

RSHQ is unable to investigate reports that fall under the jurisdiction of other regulators. For sexual harassment matters, if you're unsure of the correct agency for your circumstances and employer type, refer to the Queensland Regulator Map (PDF, 313KB).

Support for workers

A range of counselling and support options are available, including:

More information

A number of Australian workplace health and safety agencies have developed resources to assist in managing psychosocial hazards:

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