Psychosocial risk management

Psychosocial risk management is an increasingly important, organisation-level response to work-related mental health challenges. Whether motivated by a desire to improve employee wellbeing, exert control, achieve compliance, improve productivity, or manage reputation, the risk management process involves four key steps— risk identification, risk assessment, risk control, and monitoring and review. This entry outlines considerations associated with each of these four steps and includes discussion of common psychosocial hazards and risk assessment tools used in workplaces around the world. Important risk control concepts are discussed, such what is ‘reasonably practicable’ when minimising psychosocial risk, and how the hierarchy of controls can apply to psychosocial hazards. Practical considerations when implementing risk management for psychosocial hazards are also outlined, such as worker participation, bespoke risk controls targeted to critical risks with a focus on work design, and potential unintended consequences of a risk management approach.