Queensland’s leading code of practice for managing the risks of psychosocial hazards would be watered down under a state government plan.
At the same time, the state government continues its unreasonable delay on implementing Respect@Work reforms.
Our union is concerned that these developments signal a lack of respect for workplace rights.
Queensland’s nation-leading code of practice
Queensland’s code of practice Managing the risk of psychosocial hazards at work was introduced in 2022.
The code requires employers to take all reasonable steps to manage psychosocial hazards using the same “hierarchy of controls” approach that applies to other workplace health and safety issues.
Psychosocial hazards include high emotional demands, low job control, poor support and exposure to violence, aggression or bullying, which are commonly experienced by staff in the education sector.
Queensland was the first jurisdiction to implement a legally enforceable code of practice that requires employers to prevent psychosocial harm and injuries to employees.
Government plan for optional protections
In responding to a Productivity Commission inquiry into the construction sector, the state government revealed its plan to make codes of practice optional, only requiring employers to comply with a weaker national model code.
The managing psychosocial hazards code of practice is just one of many enforceable codes in Queensland. Other codes of practice relate to asbestos and silica dust, working in confined spaces, managing the risk of falls from heights, handling hazardous chemicals and controlling excessive noise to prevent hearing loss.
Despite being framed as a response to issues in the construction sector, attacks on codes of practice affect all Queensland workers.
