Psychosocial Risks;
Psychosocial Risks affect a workers psychological response to their work and their safety. These risks can impact negatively on behavioural safety culture.
If not managed effectively they can have the same impact as failing to identify more practical safety measures resulting in absence, accidents, injury and illness.
The hazards associated with psychosocial risks often fall between HR and H&S so it is important you work with both functions with clear responsibilities in the risk assessments.
Psychosocial risks:
- Work related stress
- Violence, bullying and harassment
- Lone Working
- Substance misuse
- Change Reaction
- Absences
- Equality and inclusion
The control measures to consider for these include clear policies and procedures and thinking about risks when planning change.
There are 3 levels of control measures to consider:
Firstly – to prevent psychosocial conditions before they occur e.g. training
Secondly – to detect psychosocial conditions early e.g. direct line manager intervention and changes to working practices
Thirdly– to reduce the impact of long-term conditions e.g. support programs
You should include Psychosocial Risks in risk assessments and consequently consult with employees in the same way that safety risks are addressed. They should be audited and monitored in the same way.
If the risk factor is high then you should allocate resources in the same way as if there is a high safety risk; money should be consider as an investment to reduce the risk and increase safety.
