What are psychosocial risks?

BSI Group

14 Jun 202102:31

Summary

TLDRThe video script delves into psychosocial risks in the workplace, which encompass factors like workload, deadlines, and social dynamics that can negatively affect an individual's physical, mental, cognitive, and emotional health. It highlights the cumulative nature of these risks, leading to issues like high blood pressure, depression, and anxiety. The script emphasizes the importance of psychological health and safety management, not just for prevention, but also for fostering an environment where individuals and organizations can thrive.

Takeaways

🧠 Psychosocial risks are factors at work that can negatively affect a worker's psychological and physical health.
📈 These risks include workloads, deadlines, the nature of work, isolation, and work-life balance.
🤝 Social factors such as organizational culture, working relationships, bullying, harassment, and fairness are also considered psychosocial risks.
🚑 Other hazards like high noise, thermal discomfort, musculoskeletal disorders, and fear of violence can contribute to psychosocial risks.
💔 Witnessing incidents or experiencing aggression can lead to psychosocial risks, impacting mental and emotional health.
📉 Negative impacts of psychosocial risks may accumulate over time, leading to physical health issues like high blood pressure and weakened immune systems.
😔 Mental health can be affected, manifesting as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder due to psychosocial risks.
🧐 Cognitive impacts include confusion, indecision, poor memory, and concentration issues resulting from psychosocial risks.
😖 Emotional health can suffer, with mood swings, negative feelings, loss of confidence, motivation, and changes in eating, drinking, and sleeping patterns.
🌟 Psychological health and safety management aims not only to prevent negative impacts but also to create a thriving workplace environment.
🔑 The true benefits of an organization lie in fostering an environment where individuals can flourish, which in turn unlocks the organization's full potential.

Q & A

What is the term used to describe factors in the workplace that can negatively impact a worker's psychological and physical health?
-The term used is 'psychosocial risks.'
What are some examples of psychosocial risks in the workplace?
-Examples include workloads, deadlines, type of work, isolation, work-life balance, organizational culture, working relationships, bullying, harassment, fairness, and career development.
How do psychosocial risks impact physical health?
-Psychosocial risks can lead to increased blood pressure, weakened immune system, and even impact reproductive health.
What mental health issues can psychosocial risks cause?
-They can cause anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
How can psychosocial risks affect cognitive function?
-Cognitive impacts include confusion, indecision, poor memory, and concentration.
What emotional effects can psychosocial risks have on an individual?
-They can cause mood swings, negative feelings, loss of confidence, motivation, and changes in eating, drinking, and sleeping patterns.
What are some physical and mental hazards that can contribute to psychosocial risks?
-Hazards include high noise levels, thermal discomfort, physical pain from musculoskeletal disorders, fear of violence, aggression, or witnessing an incident.
How do psychosocial risks typically manifest over time?
-The negative impacts of psychosocial risks tend to build up over time, potentially over weeks or even months.
What is the ultimate goal of psychological health and safety management in the workplace?
-The goal is not only to prevent negative impacts but also to create a workplace where individuals can flourish, thereby unlocking the organization's potential.
Why is it important to address psychosocial risks in the workplace?
-Addressing psychosocial risks is crucial for maintaining the well-being of employees, which in turn contributes to the overall success and potential of the organization.
What role does the organizational culture play in psychosocial risks?
-Organizational culture plays a significant role as it can either mitigate or exacerbate psychosocial risks through its influence on working relationships, bullying, harassment, and fairness.

Outlines

00:00

🧠 Psychosocial Risks in the Workplace

This paragraph delves into the concept of psychosocial risks within the workplace, which are factors that can negatively affect an individual's psychological and physical health. It covers various aspects such as workload, deadlines, work type, isolation, work-life balance, organizational culture, social factors like bullying and harassment, and career development. The paragraph also touches on physical and mental hazards like noise, thermal discomfort, musculoskeletal disorders, and fear of violence. The cumulative negative impact of these risks over time can lead to a range of health issues, including blood pressure problems, weakened immune systems, reproductive health issues, mental health disorders like anxiety and depression, cognitive impairments, and emotional disturbances. The paragraph emphasizes that managing psychological health and safety is not just about prevention but also about fostering an environment where individuals can thrive, thereby unlocking the full potential of both the employees and the organization.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Psychological Health and Safety

Psychological health and safety refers to the state of well-being in which an individual's mental and emotional conditions are protected and nurtured within a workplace environment. In the video's context, it is about ensuring that the work environment does not negatively impact an employee's mental state, which is crucial for overall well-being and productivity. The script mentions that psychosocial risks can negatively impact psychological health, thus emphasizing the importance of this concept.

💡Psychosocial Risks

Psychosocial risks are the factors in the workplace that can potentially harm an individual's psychological and social well-being. The script defines these risks broadly, including aspects like workload, deadlines, work type, and social factors within an organization. They are central to the video's theme as they directly relate to the negative impacts on workers' health and the measures needed to mitigate them.

💡Workload

Workload refers to the amount or quantity of work assigned to an individual. In the script, it is mentioned as one of the psychosocial risks that can negatively impact a worker's health by causing stress and potentially leading to burnout. It is an important concept as it directly relates to the balance between work demands and an individual's capacity to manage them.

💡Deadlines

Deadlines are time limits set for the completion of tasks or projects. The script identifies deadlines as a psychosocial risk because they can create pressure and stress, potentially affecting an individual's mental health. The concept is integral to the discussion on how work-related time constraints can contribute to psychological stress.

💡Isolation

Isolation, in the context of the script, refers to the state of being alone or separated from others, which can occur in a work environment. It is highlighted as a psychosocial risk because it can lead to feelings of loneliness and disconnection, impacting an individual's emotional health. The script emphasizes the importance of social connections in maintaining psychological well-being.

💡Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance is the equilibrium between the demands of one's work and personal life. The script mentions it as a factor that can influence psychosocial risks, suggesting that an imbalance can lead to stress and negatively affect mental health. It is a key concept in the video's message about creating a healthy work environment.

💡Organizational Culture

Organizational culture refers to the shared values, beliefs, and practices that characterize a workplace. In the script, it is identified as a social factor that can contribute to psychosocial risks if it promotes negative behaviors or attitudes. The concept is important as it underpins the idea that a positive culture can foster a healthier work environment.

💡Bullying and Harassment

Bullying and harassment are negative behaviors that involve the abuse of power or aggressive actions towards others. The script describes them as social factors within an organization that can cause psychosocial risks, impacting the mental and emotional health of workers. These concepts are central to the discussion on the need for a safe and respectful workplace.

💡Fairness

Fairness refers to the state of being treated equitably and without bias. In the script, it is mentioned as a social factor that can influence psychosocial risks, suggesting that unfair treatment can lead to stress and dissatisfaction. The concept is important for understanding how equitable practices contribute to a healthier work environment.

💡Career Development

Career development involves the process of growing and advancing one's professional career. The script identifies career development as a psychosocial risk if it is perceived as unfair or unattainable, which can lead to frustration and stress. It is a key concept in the video's message about the importance of providing opportunities for growth and advancement.

💡Mental Ill Health

Mental ill health encompasses a range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The script discusses these conditions as potential outcomes of psychosocial risks, emphasizing the importance of addressing these risks to prevent mental health problems. This concept is central to the video's theme of psychological health and safety.

💡Cognitive Impacts

Cognitive impacts refer to the effects on an individual's cognitive abilities, such as memory, concentration, and decision-making. The script mentions cognitive impacts as a result of psychosocial risks, such as confusion and indecision, which can affect work performance and overall mental well-being. This concept is important for understanding the broader implications of psychosocial risks on an individual's cognitive functioning.

💡Emotional Health

Emotional health is the state of one's emotional well-being, which includes the ability to manage feelings and emotions in a healthy way. The script discusses how psychosocial risks can negatively affect emotional health, leading to mood swings and negative feelings. This concept is integral to the video's message about the importance of emotional well-being in the workplace.

💡Organizational Benefits

Organizational benefits refer to the advantages that an organization gains from its operations and management practices. In the script, it is suggested that creating a psychologically healthy and safe workplace can lead to organizational benefits by unlocking the potential of individuals, which in turn enhances the organization's overall performance. This concept is key to the video's message about the mutual benefits of prioritizing psychological health and safety.

Highlights

Psychological health and safety within the workplace is influenced by psychosocial risks.

Psychosocial risks can negatively impact workers' physical, mental, cognitive, or emotional health.

Workload, deadlines, work type, isolation, and work-life balance are considered psychosocial risks.

Social factors such as organizational culture and working relationships are part of psychosocial risks.

Bullying, harassment, and unfairness are psychosocial risks within an organization.

Career development is a psychosocial risk that can affect an employee's well-being.

Physical and mental hazards like noise, discomfort, and fear of violence contribute to psychosocial risks.

Psychosocial risks can lead to long-term negative impacts on health.

Increased blood pressure and weakened immune system are physical health issues caused by psychosocial risks.

Psychosocial risks may result in mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.

Cognitive impacts of psychosocial risks include confusion and poor memory.

Emotional effects of psychosocial risks manifest as mood swings and loss of confidence.

Psychological health and safety management aims to prevent negative impacts and promote a flourishing workplace.

Creating a positive work environment can unlock both individual and organizational potential.

Organizational benefits are maximized when employees can flourish psychologically and safely.