New Zealand
What is a psychosocial hazard? (New Zealand)
Short answer: WorkSafe New Zealand describes psychosocial hazards as factors at work that may cause psychological and physical harm. They can arise from how work is designed, from social factors at work, such as workplace interactions or behaviours, or from the work environment, including equipment and hazardous tasks. Psychosocial risk is the likelihood that a psychosocial hazard will cause harm.
WellbeingSolutions can support you to identify and manage psychosocial risks, part of your duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
Three groups of hazards
WorkSafe groups common psychosocial hazards into three categories. They overlap, and one hazard can sit across all three.
- Work design: for example, heavy workloads and time pressure, little say over how work is done, unclear roles, and shift patterns that leave little time to recover.
- Social factors: for example, poor support, poorly managed change, poor work relationships with colleagues, managers or customers, bullying and harassment.
- Work environment: for example, poor physical conditions, isolated work, and exposure to traumatic events.
WorkSafe notes its examples aren't a complete list. Its guidelines include a longer list in an appendix.
Hazard, risk and harm
- Hazard: the factor at work that could cause harm.
- Risk: the likelihood that the hazard will cause harm.
- Harm: the effect on a person's mental or physical health.
The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) defines health as both physical and mental health.
What NZ businesses can do
- Talk with your workers about what's hard about their work. WorkSafe mentions surveys, focus groups and existing workplace information. Smaller businesses might rely more on regular conversations or observations.
- Assess the risks: how likely harm is, and how serious it could be.
- Put controls in place, eliminating risks so far as is reasonably practicable, or minimising them.
- Monitor and review the controls with your workers.
Wellbeing support and risk management are different things
WorkSafe's guidelines say they don't cover general wellbeing or health promotion unless it's directly linked to workplace risks. Wellbeing support is worth having, and it sits alongside managing psychosocial risks, not instead of it.
How WellbeingSolutions can help
- Personalised SMS check-ins that reach every worker, with no app to download.
- Triage to your chosen professional support, such as your EAP, when someone says they need help.
- Anonymised trend reporting for leaders, not names.
- A confidential psychosocial risk assessment informed by ISO 45003 guidance, taking 8 to 12 minutes. The add-on starts at $2,995 a year for up to 100 staff, excl GST. See pricing
- AI-4U support navigation, an AI web chat that guides people to professional support. It's a navigation tool, not counselling.
More on our NZ approach: Psychosocial risk in New Zealand workplaces.
Free 2-week pilot: SMS check-ins and AI-4U, up to 10 staff. Start your free pilot
Questions we hear
What is a psychosocial hazard in New Zealand?
WorkSafe New Zealand describes psychosocial hazards as factors at work that may cause psychological and physical harm. They can come from work design, social factors at work, or the work environment.
What is psychosocial risk?
WorkSafe describes psychosocial risk as the likelihood that a psychosocial hazard will cause harm.
Does HSWA cover mental health?
Yes. The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 defines health as both physical and mental health.
Do small businesses need to manage psychosocial risks?
HSWA applies to businesses of every size. WorkSafe notes smaller businesses might rely more on regular conversations or observations to identify hazards.
Is a wellbeing programme the same as managing psychosocial risk?
No. WorkSafe's guidelines treat general wellbeing as separate from managing risks that come from work. Wellbeing support sits alongside risk management.
This page summarises public information and is not legal advice. Last checked 26 October 2026.