Introducing ISO45003: A Clear Path to Workplace Wellbeing
Did you know that mental illness cost the Australian economy a staggering $200–220 billion annually? The impact of mental stress in the workplace is undeniable, with Safe Work Australia reporting that over 52% of serious mental stress claims in 2021-22 were linked to work-related harassment, bullying, and pressure.
With the introduction of the Respect at Work Act and updated WHS Regulations, addressing psychosocial risks has become a critical component of workplace health and safety (WHS), HR and risk management. Yet, navigating the myriad of tools, webinars, and expert advice on managing psychosocial risks can be overwhelming.
Here’s where ISO 45003 can be helpful..
Published in June 2021, ISO 45003: Psychological health and safety at work — Guidelines for managing psychosocial risks is the first global standard dedicated to the management of psychosocial risks and the promotion of workplace well-being. Designed to be accessible for businesses of all sizes and sectors, this standard offers straightforward guidance on managing these risks alongside other health and safety concerns.
Why ISO 45003 Matters:
· Tailored Guidance: While each State has its own Regulator Codes of Practice, ISO 45003 provides a universal framework that adapts to your organisation’s unique context. It guides you through systematic identification and management of psychosocial hazards.
· Best Practice in Action: Although ISO 45003 is a guidance standard, not a requirements standard, incorporating its best practices can help demonstrate a proactive approach to managing psychosocial risks. Ignoring this guidance could be seen as negligent if a regulator deems your organisation aware of and ignoring best practices.
· Seamless Integration: ISO 45003 aligns with the structure of ISO 45001:2018 and other ISO standards such as ISO 14001, ISO/IEC 27001, and ISO 9001. This makes it easy to integrate with existing management systems and align with broader organisational goals.
· Support for ESG Initiatives: For organisations focusing on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals, ISO 45003 is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reinforcing your commitment to prioritising employee well-being.
An Organisational Approach
ISO 45003 helps you move beyond individual solutions to address psychosocial risks at whole of organisation level. It’s a valuable tool for conducting gap analyses to identify what’s working well and where improvements can be made in managing psychosocial risks.
Lead Auditor and systems certifier for Global Mark, Liz Cole told us:
“Not many organisations are aware of the 45003 Standard. Given the research shows that younger employees seek to work for organisations that will look after their well-being, ISO 45003 helps organisations to understand the issues, manage the risks, and develop new approaches to managing psychological health and promoting well-being at work. ISO 45003 is a guidance standard that mirrors the structure of ISO 45001 and has been written to support and complement an ISO 45001 based management system”
Take the Next Step
ISO 45003 works as an excellent gap analysis tool to understand where your organisation is at in terms of systems and processes for for proactively identifying, assessing, and managing psychosocial hazards.
For more information or assistance in integrating ISO 45003 or undertaking a gap analysis of within your organisation, please contact us at info@sharedsafetyandrisk.com.au
