What are work-related psychosocial hazards?
Work-related psychosocial hazards are aspects of how work is designed, managed, or experienced that can cause harm to a worker’s psychological health and physical health.
Some hazards can cause harm quickly. For example, workplace violence or threats can lead to serious psychological conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and physical injuries.
Other hazards build up over time. Ongoing exposure to high workloads, bullying, harassment, or poor workplace support can affect a worker’s health.
Reporting work-related psychosocial hazards
Workers can use the online form below to report work-related psychosocial hazards in their workplaces. Please read the information below before you make a complaint.
Before you start
This form takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. Our inspectors may contact you if they require further information. We do not generally provide updates on individual reports.
When describing your concern, focus on factual information, including:
- what happened
- who was involved and
- when and where it happened.
To protect your wellbeing and the wellbeing of others reviewing the report, please avoid graphic descriptions of traumatic events.
Read Privacy notice and confidentiality information when reporting a psychosocial hazard to understand how your information is managed.
When to use this form?
You can use this form if:
- you believe there is an ongoing psychosocial hazard in a workplace
- the issue has been raised with the workplace and the risk remains unresolved
- the concern may affect more than one worker or indicate a broader workplace risk.
What happens after you submit?
Our inspectors review the information to determine whether there may be a work health and safety risk.
They may make enquiries where information suggests psychosocial hazards are not being managed effectively.This may include situations where:
- several workers are experiencing work-related stress or illness
- there are broader organisational risks or system failures
Please note that not every report will lead to enquiries or investigation. Matters are prioritised based on the level of risk.
If your workplace is currently investigating the matter, you may still submit a report so that our inspectors are aware of the situation. However, in most cases, an inspector will not investigate while the workplace investigation is underway.
Matters outside the scope
Our inspectors will assess whether psychosocial risks are being managed appropriately and make enquiries where there is a potential safety risk. We cannot assist with some matters, including:
- concerns relating to events that happened more than 2 years ago
- mediating workplace disputes
- proving or substantiating allegations
- advocating for a worker, employer, or any other party
- providing legal advice or representation
- providing counselling or psychological support
- directing disciplinary action or termination
- providing or negotiating financial compensation
- workers’ compensation claims (see WorkCover WA)
- stop bullying or stop sexual harassment orders (issued by the Fair Work Commission or the WA Industrial Relations Commission).
Need support?
If you cannot complete the form because of accessibility or communication needs, please contact us by:
Phone: 1300 307 877 (8.00 am to 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday) or
Email: wscallcentre@lgirs.wa.gov.au
Reporting on behalf of someone else
If you are submitting this form on behalf of another person, you must have their permission to do so.
Where possible, the affected worker should lodge the report themselves.
Acknowledgement and declaration
By submitting this form, you acknowledge and consent to the conditions outlined above, including the limits of confidentiality and the circumstances in which information may be disclosed as required by law.
You also declare that the information you have provided is true, accurate and complete, to the best of your knowledge.