The ACT has launched its first psychosocial hazards strategy. 

WorkSafe ACT has introduced its inaugural ‘Strategy for Managing Work-related Psychosocial Hazards 2021-23’, with a particular emphasis on work-related violence and sexual harassment.

“The risk of harm from all psychosocial hazards is immense, on average, work-related psychological injuries have longer recovery times, higher costs, and require more time away from work. We aim to protect all workers from these harms, and I am particularly passionate about preventing work related violence and aggression,” said the ACT’s Work Health and Safety Commissioner, Jacqueline Agius.

“We are tackling systemic work health and safety issues like bullying, sexual harassment, work-related violence and aggression. 

“It is morally and legally unacceptable for any employer to accept these hazards as ‘part of the job’ or for these hazards to be dismissed as being too hard to manage. This is my stance against sexual harassment and gender-based violence.

“This strategy is our commitment to improving the management of psychosocial hazards. We can’t underestimate the importance of healthy and safe workplaces. 

“By requiring the management of psychosocial hazards, we are keeping people in our community safe. That is a key contribution to the ACT.”

Commissioner Agius emphasised the impact of effective management and the results of partnering with the wider ACT community to commit to positive changes.

“Being healthy and safe means being free from physical and psychological harm. No job should be unsafe, and no death or injury is acceptable,” she said. 

“The health and safety outcomes from effectively managing psychosocial hazards are immeasurable and this Strategy will demonstrate that the Territory is an Australian leader in the prevention and management of psychosocial harm.”