Psychosocial Risk Resource
Psychosocial risk assessment
Follow the identify → assess → control → review cycle required by the model Code and WA's approved Code, with templates and evidence prompts ready for inspection. Last updated 5 October 2025.
Reviewed by
Prof. Warren Mansell, DClinPsy, DPhil Clinical Psychology.
How we validate
Each step references the model Code of Practice and WorkSafe WA's Psychosocial hazards Code.
Download the assessment template or book a 20-minute risk scan.
Direct answer: how do you complete a psychosocial risk assessment?
Complete a psychosocial risk assessment by following four steps: identify hazards through consultation and data, assess likelihood and consequence, select controls using the hierarchy of controls, and review effectiveness after incidents, changes, or new feedback. The assessment should record hazards, affected cohorts, controls, owners, dates, and verification evidence.
Step 1 — Identify psychosocial hazards
Bring together qualitative and quantitative inputs: worker consultation, Echo voice check-ins, incident and grievance data, inspections, absenteeism trends, and industry guidance. See Safe Work Australia's model Code.
Document the context for each hazard — work location, cohort, trigger, contributing factors (workload, support, remote work) and any controls already in place.
Data sources to capture
- Echo weekly sentiment themes (workload, violence, remote work).
- HR data: overtime, turnover, grievances, compensation claims.
- Operational data: production delays, equipment availability, staffing ratios.
- Consultation notes with HSRs, unions, health providers, and workforce councils.
Step 2 — Assess the risk
Use a consistent matrix to rate consequence and likelihood when the level of risk is uncertain or there is potential for serious harm. Consider how hazards may combine (high job demands with low support or remote work) and the duration, frequency, and severity of exposure for different cohorts.
Worked example
Maintenance crew working 14-day swings reports fatigue and aggression from passengers.
- Consequence: Major (near misses, psychological injury claim).
- Likelihood: Likely (weekly reports across roster).
- Risk rating: High — requires immediate controls beyond awareness training.
Risk matrix
| Likelihood ↓ / Consequence → | Insignificant | Minor | Moderate | Major | Catastrophic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rare | Low | Low | Medium | Medium | High |
| Unlikely | Low | Medium | Medium | High | Extreme |
| Possible | Medium | Medium | High | High | Extreme |
| Likely | Medium | High | High | Extreme | Extreme |
| Almost certain | High | High | Extreme | Extreme | Extreme |
Step 3 — Control psychosocial risks
Select controls using the hierarchy: eliminate hazards where practicable, or minimise through work design, staffing, supervision, information, and support. Address combined hazards such as remote or isolated work by providing reliable communication, buddy systems, movement records, and training.
Assign every control to an accountable owner with due date, budget, and success measures.
Control ideas to consider
- Design rosters to keep job demands within safe limits and enable recovery time.
- Provide effective communication systems, buddy arrangements, and supervision for remote or isolated work groups. See Safe Work Australia.
- Offer information, training, and trauma-informed support following violence or aggressive incidents.
- Consult workers and health and safety representatives before finalising control plans.
Step 4 — Review and verify
Review control measures regularly and whenever there are workplace changes, incidents, new information, or feedback indicating controls are ineffective. Use Echo trend reports, toolbox talks, and assurance audits to confirm whether controls remain suitable.
Evidence log structure
- Verification activity, date, and responsible leader.
- Findings (effective, needs improvement, ineffective).
- Follow-up actions and escalation triggers.
- Documents collected: photos, training records, Echo analytics, meeting minutes.
What to attach for an inspector
- Completed psychosocial risk assessment template.
- Action register exported from Echo with status and evidence links.
- Consultation log including HSR feedback and remote-worker engagement.
- Verification report summarising audits, leadership visits, and Echo sentiment trends.
Next steps and sector deep dives
- Mining assessment checklist — FIFO rosters, remote supervision, and inspector evidence.
- Construction assessment checklist — major project hazards, subcontractor coordination, site induction controls.
- Healthcare assessment checklist — clinical aggression, compassion fatigue, safe staffing evidence.
- WA Code summary — confirm your assessment aligns with WorkSafe WA's expectations.
Frequently asked questions
How often should we run a psychosocial risk assessment?
Run an assessment whenever new hazards emerge, significant changes occur, or incidents indicate higher risk. Maintain a planned review cycle, but don't wait if data or consultation highlights issues.
Who needs to be involved?
Include PCBUs, officers, supervisors, health and safety representatives, worker groups (including contractors), and allied health specialists where relevant.
How does Echo support the process?
Echo provides automated worker voice capture, hazard tagging, action tracking, and evidence exports aligned to the model Code's four steps.