Occupational Health Risks

Work-related stress occurs when workers feel their job demands exceed their abilities or resources, such as time or support. Key risk factors linked to work-related stress and related health issues can include:

• high mental, emotional and/or physical work demands
• low control over work and the way it’s organised
• low levels of support from supervisors and peers
• lack of role clarity or increased role confusion
• poorly managed workplace conflicts
• poorly handled organisational change
• a poor workplace justice climate
• low level recognition and rewards for workers.

Understanding and addressing these risk factors are crucial to creating a healthy work environment and preventing stress-relating health issues.

Mental health refers to a state of wellbeing that allows people to handle life’s stresses, realise their own potential, contribute to the community and work productively. Everyone experiences different levels of mental health during our lives.



Good mental health helps people thrive in their life, work and relationships. Meanwhile, poor mental health can significantly impact these areas.



Work-related risks, or occupational risks, are factors in the management or design of work that increase the chance of work-related stress. This stress can lead to physical and mental injuries, or both. Workers often face a combination of these factors, some constantly and others occasionally. Common work-related risk factors include:

• Low job control
• High and low job demands
• Poor support
• Poor organisational change management
• Unfair workplace practices
• Low recognition and rewards
• Unclear roles
• Poor workplace relationships
• Poor environmental conditions, such as: 
• Hazardous manual tasks
• Poor air quality
• High noise levels 
• Extreme temperatures
• Working near unsafe machinery 
• Remote and isolated work
• Violent or traumatic event.

Understanding and addressing these risk factors are crucial to creating a healthy work environment and preventing mental health-related issues.

Occupational diseases are health issues arising from long-term exposure to specific workplace conditions or substances. These include:

• Silicosis (pulmonary fibrosis – lung condition)
• Asbestosis (chronic lung condition)
• Isocyanate exposure (work-related asthma)

Under work health and safety (WHS) law, persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) must ensure the health and safety of workers and others at work by maintaining a safe workplace. To manage the risk of exposure to diseases in the workplace, a PCBU must:

• Apply a risk management approach to eliminate and/or minimise risks as far as reasonably practicable.
• Consult with workers and/or their health and safety representatives.