- Dr. Carlo Caponecchia, The University of New South Wales
Attention to the range of psychosocial hazards to which workers can be exposed in work systems has been growing recently. Following the results of workplace stress research over decades (See Boot, LaMontagne & Madsen, 2024), patterns of compensated injury, and social movements signaling a lack of tolerance to workplace violence, harassment and bullying (e.g., the MeToo movement), some jurisdictions have responded with increased workplace health and safety regulations (e.g., Safe Work Australia, 2022).
A new International Standard has been developed in relation to managing psychosocial risks within the framework of occupational health and safety management systems (ISO45003:2021). Evidence supports that the most effective approach to intervention is to develop initiatives that support mentally healthy work through improvements in work design (e.g., Blackwood et al, 2017; Aumayr-Pinta, Cerf, & Parent-Thirion, 2018). However, work re-design is sometimes unfamiliar to many Occupational Health and Safety and Human Resources practitioners and senior managers (Leka & Jain, 2016). This workshop focuses on a tool (PHReD-T) that was developed to assist in the development of skills and confidence on re-designing work for managing psychosocial risks. The PHReD tool leads users through a process of understanding their organizational context, before developing a work scenario that forms the basis of the re-design activity. Users practice work re-design for the scenario, including developing change logic, action plans, and a consultation plan. The tool is supported by an online resource suite that includes: background information about work re-design and psychosocial hazards; case studies showcasing examples of work re-design across a range of industries; FAQs, and a glossary.
During the workshop we will introduce the PHRED-T including how and why it was developed, its steps and unique features. Workshop participants will use elements of the PHRED-T with supplied case studies, and report back to the group on their experience, including suggested work re-design strategies, challenges, and highlights, and alignment with their own work experiences. The workshop activities will use an online whiteboard tool (MIRO), which participants can access using their own device (laptop or tablet). The workshop is ideal for safety and health professionals interested in psychosocial risks.