Psychosocial hazards · WA
Psychosocial hazards at work in Western Australia.
Western Australia requires employers to manage the risks of psychosocial hazards - and two of the named hazards, remote or isolated work and exposure to violence and aggression, are exactly where lone-worker safety sits. Here's the current instrument and what it means.
- Instrument
- the Psychosocial hazards in the workplace: Code of practice, made under the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WA), with psychosocial duties in the Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations.
- Status
- WA published its psychosocial hazards code of practice on 26 August 2022 (last updated February 2025). WA also maintains separate codes on violence and aggression at work and on workplace behaviour.
- Regulator
- WorkSafe WA ↗
WA adopted the model Work Health and Safety framework.
Where lone-worker safety fits
Psychosocial hazards are aspects of work that can cause psychological harm. Two of the named hazards are the reason lone-worker safety exists: remote or isolated work (working away from support, with limited means to summon help) and exposure to violence and aggression. A monitored duress system - a reliable way to raise the alarm, a response that arrives, and evidence afterwards - is one control that addresses both of those specific hazards directly.
It is not the whole of compliance: regulators expect a hierarchy of controls, with work-design measures considered first. A duress system is one control within a broader, compliant approach.
This is general information, not legal advice. The authoritative source is WorkSafe WA and the legislation itself - check the current requirements that apply to your workplace at worksafe.wa.gov.au.