Poor physical environment
Exposure to unpleasant, poor quality or hazardous working environments or conditions can have a negative impact on workers' health.
A poor physical environment becomes a psychosocial hazard when it is severe (for example, very poor or hazardous), prolonged (for example, poor long term) or frequent (for example, often poor).
What is a poor physical environment?
Poor physical environments may include:
- performing hazardous tasks such as working at heights
- working in hazardous conditions
- performing demanding work while wearing uncomfortable Personal Protective Equipment or other equipment
- workplace conditions that affect concentration or ability to complete tasks such as uncomfortable temperatures or poor lighting
- unpleasant workplace conditions such as poorly maintained amenities, unpleasant smells or loud music
- working with poorly maintained equipment
- work-related accommodation, facilities and amenities that cause or contribute to worker fatigue.
Poor physical environments can cause a stress response which when frequent, prolonged or severe may cause physical or psychological injury to a worker. Poor physical environments or conditions may exist as a hazard in isolation, however often this will occur in combination with other psychosocial hazards at work (which combined may increase risk of harm).
Like all work health and safety risks, the risks associated with exposure to poor environmental conditions must be managed.
Poor physical environments have been identified as a hazard in the Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work Code of Practice 2024.
This guidance will help you meet your obligation under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011.
Resources on poor physical environments
- Physical hazards - Comcare
- Poor physical environment - Safe Work Australia
- Poor environmental conditions - WorkSafe Queensland
