Psychosocial hazards
Psychosocial Hazards
Psychosocial hazards (pronunciation: /ˌsaɪkoʊˈsoʊʃəl ˈhæzərdz/) are aspects of work that have the potential to cause psychological or physical harm.
Etymology
The term "psychosocial" is derived from the Greek words "psyche" meaning mind and "social" meaning society. "Hazard" comes from the Old French "hasard" which means chance or risk.
Definition
Psychosocial hazards are elements in the workplace that may pose a risk to the mental, emotional, and physical health of workers. These can include, but are not limited to, workplace stress, workplace bullying, workplace violence, and work-life balance issues.
Related Terms
- Workplace Stress: This refers to the harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the demands of the job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker.
- Workplace Bullying: This is a persistent pattern of mistreatment from others in the workplace that causes either physical or emotional harm.
- Workplace Violence: This includes any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site.
- Work-Life Balance: This is the balance that an individual needs between time allocated for work and other aspects of life.
Impact
Psychosocial hazards can lead to significant health and well-being issues for employees, including stress, burnout, depression, and anxiety. They can also lead to decreased productivity and increased absenteeism in the workplace.
Prevention
Preventing psychosocial hazards involves creating a healthy workplace environment. This can be achieved through effective management and good communication. Employers should also provide support for employees who are experiencing stress or other mental health issues.
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