Embedding Psychosocial Risk Management into Work Design
Designing work to protect both body and mind.
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PROJECT TEAM
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Context
Across multiple industries, rising reports of mental stress, burnout, and musculoskeletal injuries highlighted the urgent need for integrated risk management approaches. Traditional WHS systems were not adequately capturing psychosocial hazards alongside physical risks, or determining robust intervention methods.
Challenge
An industry-wide recognition that siloed risk systems were no longer fit for purpose. Organisations needed a practical, evidence-informed way to assess and manage psychosocial risk factors within existing work system frameworks.
Approach
ViVA responded by developing the PRAiSE™ program, combining pre-learning modules and interactive Certification Training: both the PRAiSE™ Certified Assessor and Certified Manager credentials. Working through their collaborative partnership with ErgoAnalyst under the design advisory network of ViVID Design Labs, they also created the PRA™ task-based risk assessment feature. This framework supported participants to analyse real job tasks, identify acute and cumulative psychosocial risks, and explore protective redesign strategies. The process aligned with ISO 45003, an International Standard that provides guidance on managing psychosocial risks in the workplace, and national WHS legislation. Further, coupled with ViVA’s consultancy service, the blend of both qualitative and quantitative risk assessment methods exemplified leading practices in industry.
Outcomes
The PRAiSE™ certification programs, coupled with the PRA™ tool integrated into job task analysis processes, clarified hazard identification, determining both acute and cumulative risks of musculoskeletal and mental health disorders. Through a combination of online education, workshop-based training, cloud-based software-as-a-service risk calculation tools, and consultancy support to capture more research and emperical evidence, the program enhanced participant understanding of how psychosocial and musculoskeletal risks interact and amplify each other. A co-design methodology was used to embed protective factors into work, including environmental design improvements, clearer task instructions, adequate recovery time, and peer support mechanisms. The initiative also responded to growing industry interest in system-wide, task-based risk reduction applications by combining qualitative insights with quantitative risk assessments to achieve robust, integrated work design solutions.