By Julie McLoughlin, OHS & HR Management Systems Pty Ltd
The ACCI WHS Survey 2026 found that 43% of businesses surveyed reported having no system to identify and manage psychosocial hazards. Time was the most commonly reported barrier among those listed for good work health and safety (WHS) practice, and fact sheets were the most popular format for safety guidance.
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) surveyed 208 people in March 2026, including business owners, managers and safety professionals. Responses came from across Australia, and more than half were from sole traders. The results reflect what respondents reported, and some questions were answered by smaller groups. Here are five findings and what they mean for small businesses and not-for-profits reviewing their workplace safety arrangements.
1. Psychosocial hazards are often managed informally
Across the survey, 41% reported using informal discussions or internal communication to manage psychosocial hazards, 21% reported having a policy or risk management document, and 43% reported having no system in place. Among sole traders, the share reporting no system rose to 57%. Respondents were generally more confident dealing with bullying and unclear roles than managing low job control or poor organisational justice, which includes how fairly workplace decisions are made and communicated.
The survey also asked respondents about their own health. In the previous 12 months, 36% reported being diagnosed with a mental health condition. Of those 75 respondents, 87% said they believed work had contributed to the condition at least a little.
For a small team, a useful starting point is to ask workers which parts of the job create recurring pressure. Can staff influence how they organise their work? Do they know who can help when priorities conflict? Record the issues raised, agree on what will change and check whether those changes help. For a step-by-step process, see our workplace psychosocial risk assessment guide.
2. Businesses want clear and practical WHS guidance
Time constraints were reported by 21% of respondents, while cost and limited understanding of WHS obligations were each reported by 16%. When asked to choose up to three useful formats for WHS information, 56% chose information or fact sheets, 48% chose guides and 39% chose codes of practice.
Cost and accessibility of Australian Standards posed at least some challenge for 51% of respondents. Overall, 85% supported free access to standards referenced in WHS regulations.
When reviewing your own safety documents, ask whether a supervisor can quickly find what to do, who is responsible and when to follow up. A one-page checklist can make a longer procedure easier to use during an induction or a workplace inspection.
3. PPE was the most commonly reported chemical safety control
Among the 56 businesses surveyed with chemicals, airborne contaminants or biological hazards present, 63% reported using personal protective or respiratory protective equipment. Substitution was reported by 29% and engineering controls by 18%.
When reviewing a task that relies on gloves, goggles or respiratory protection, check whether the hazard can be eliminated or whether a safer product, an enclosed process or local extraction could reduce exposure. WorkSafe Victoria explains how to prioritise these measures in its guide to the hierarchy of control.
4. Some businesses reported WHS benefits from emerging technology
Among the 73 respondents using emerging technologies, including AI, 36% reported an improvement in WHS risk management and 53% reported no noticeable impact. Across the broader sample, common concerns included gaps in skills and training, uncertainty about accountability and worker monitoring.
If you introduce an AI tool to help draft safety procedures or training materials, decide who will check its output against actual work practices and approve it before staff use it.
5. Extreme heat and changing climate conditions disrupted operations
In the previous 12 months, 29% of respondents reported that extreme heat or changing climate conditions had affected their operations, including 5% who reported significant disruption. Reported effects included lower productivity, increased costs and changes to rosters or work schedules.
Use this finding to check how your workplace makes decisions on hot days. For example, do supervisors know which jobs can be moved to a cooler time, and who decides when work needs to be rescheduled?
What Victorian small businesses can take from the survey
If you’re reviewing your OHS system, start with one task or area that workers regularly raise. Discuss how the work is done, agree on a change and set a date to check whether it helped. For a structured review of psychosocial hazards, use our Victorian psychological health planning checklist.
OHS & HR Management Systems Pty Ltd helps small businesses and not-for-profits review workplace risks, consult with staff and develop practical safety systems. Find out about the OHS Essentials Program for eligible Victorian businesses.
Download the full ACCI WHS Survey 2026 report
Read the full 2026 ACCI Annual Work Health and Safety Survey for the survey methodology, question wording and detailed results, including findings on notifiable incidents and workers’ compensation.
Download the 2026 ACCI Annual Work Health and Safety Survey (PDF)