This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to contribute to managing work-related psychological health and safety. It requires the ability to identify psychosocial hazards, assess their risk, and implement control methods for psychosocial hazards that apply in the workplace.

The unit applies to those with work health and safety (WHS) supervisory responsibilities who work in a range of WHS roles across all industries, and apply a substantial knowledge base and well-developed skills in a wide variety of WHS contexts.

NOTES

1. The terms ‘occupational health and safety’ (OHS) and ‘work health and safety’ (WHS) are equivalent, and generally either can be used in the workplace. In jurisdictions where model WHS laws have not been implemented, registered training organisations (RTOs) are advised to contextualise this unit of competency by referring to existing WHS legislative requirements.
2. The model WHS laws include the model WHS Act, model WHS Regulations and model WHS Codes of Practice. See Safe Work Australia for further information.
3. Safe Work Australia national guidance material refers to ‘psychosocial hazards or factors’ as ‘anything in the design or management of work that increases the risk of work-related stress’ and states that ‘work-related stress if prolonged and/or severe can cause both psychological and physical injury’. (SWA, Work-related psychological health and safety: A systematic approach to meeting your duties).

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.