Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work 2.1: 2 Apply the four-step risk management process and prepare before starting

Psychosocial risks are managed with the same process used for any hazard: identify hazards, assess risks where needed, control risks by eliminating them or minimising them and keeping controls effective, and review controls, with consultation at every step. The process should be planned early because considering risk at design stage, for example when planning a restructure, prevents costly changes later. How elaborate it is depends on size and nature of the business, and larger businesses or sectors with higher risk are likely to need more sophisticated processes. Before starting, explain the process, secure the commitment of senior leaders and managers, decide who needs to be involved (managers, workers, HSRs, subject matter experts) and decide how the process and outcomes will be recorded and communicated.