Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L01380:reg:5:p4
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L01380
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 5 (pt 4/6)
Character Range: 67861–70946

to be the least effective in minimising risks.

Step 1 – Substitution, isolation and engineering controls
PCBUs must minimise the risk of psychosocial hazards by either substituting or isolating the hazard from the person or implementing engineering controls, so far as is reasonably practicable.

       * Substituting a hazard means substituting (wholly or partly) hazardous ways of working with less hazardous alternatives.
       * Isolation of a hazard involves physically separating the source of harm from people by distance or using barriers, and
       * Engineering controls include physical controls such as a mechanical device or process..

Substitution, isolation and engineering controls for psychosocial hazards can be achieved through changing the design of work (see section 5.2 - Eliminating Risks) or system of work (e.g. rostering, working hours, task rotation and breaks to allow opportunities for rest and recovery).

Step 2 – Administrative controls

If risk remains after applying substitution, isolation or engineering control measures, PCBUs must minimise the remaining risk by implementing administrative controls, so far as is reasonably practicable. Administrative controls are less reliable at minimising risk because they rely on human behaviour and should be used in conjunction with higher order controls, so far as is reasonably practicable.
Administrative controls commonly include organisational policies and standard operating procedures that are designed to minimise exposure to a hazard, as well as the information, training and instruction needed to ensure workers can work safely.

If your workplace has agreed policies, those policies relating to psychosocial hazards must be developed in consultation with workers and their HSRs (if elected), and all workers must be made aware of the policies and what is expected of them.

Step 3 - Personal protective equipment

If risk remains after applying substitution, isolation, engineering and administrative control measures, PCBUs must minimise the remaining risk by ensuring the provision and use of suitable PPE, so far as is reasonably practicable. For psychosocial hazards, PPE can assist by controlling physical hazards that give rise to psychosocial risks, such as when using plant, substances etc or working in certain environments.

Protecting workers with PPE is a last resort and should only be used where there are risks that cannot be minimised using higher order controls. If PPE is selected as last resort, it should be used in conjunction with administrative controls (e.g. the provision of information, instruction and training to workers and/or the implementation of safe work procedures).

5.4                         Combining risk controls

A combination of control measures may be used to minimise risk if a single control is not sufficient to eliminate or minimise psychosocial risk. In most cases, a combination of control measures will be the most effective approach.

5.5                         Implementing control measures

It is important to ensure a particular