South Australian mines are being urged to sharpen their focus on psychosocial safety, with two new codes of practice now in force to help employers meet existing work health and safety obligations.
SafeWork SA’s codes for Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work and Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment commenced last week, on February 19.
Based on the national model developed by Safe Work Australia and expanded through consultation with South Australian unions and employer representatives, the codes provide practical guidance for identifying and controlling psychosocial risks across all industries, including mining.
Common psychosocial hazards include unreasonable job demands, lack of role clarity, fatigue, inadequate rewards and recognition, job insecurity, and exposure to traumatic events or material. In high-risk environments such as mines, these factors can compound existing physical hazards and increase the likelihood of injury.
Sexual and gender-based harassment is also recognised as a psychosocial risk, with sexual harassment defined as any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favours, or other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that would reasonably be expected to offend, humiliate or intimidate. Such behaviour can harm not only the person targeted, but also those who witness it.
On average, work-related psychological injuries involve longer recovery times, higher costs and more time away from work than physical injuries, adding further pressure to workforce capacity and productivity.
Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012, employers must eliminate psychosocial risks, or if not reasonably practicable, minimise them. The new codes clarify these duties, outlining 17 hazard types, consultation requirements, control measures, investigation processes and case studies.
SafeWork SA executive director Glenn Farrell said managing psychosocial hazards “should not just be a legal duty, it should be the core of every business who cares for its workers and wants the best success.”
“These codes of practice are a vital tool to help employers identify, control and manage psychosocial safety risks at work, as well as informing workers of their rights to a safe workplace,” he said.
“The regulations and new codes of practice will support businesses in ensuring their most valuable assets – their workers – are free from harm at work.”
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