What are psychosocial risks?

Summary

The 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.