An urgent call to address work-related psychosocial hazards and improve worker well-being

Paul A Schulte; Steven L Sauter; Sudha P Pandalai; Hope M Tiesman; Lewis C Chosewood; Thomas R Cunningham; Steven J Wurzelbacher; Rene Pana-Cryan; Naomi G Swanson; Chia-Chia Chang; Jeannie A S Nigam; Dori B Reissman; Tapas K Ray; John Howard

doi:10.1002/ajim.23583

An urgent call to address work-related psychosocial hazards and improve worker well-being

Am J Ind Med. 2024 Apr 10. doi: 10.1002/ajim.23583. Online ahead of print.

Affiliations

¹ Advanced Technologies and Laboratories International Inc., Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA.
² Division of Science Integration, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
³ Division of Safety Research, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA.
⁴ Office of the Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
⁵ Division of Field Studies and Engineering, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
⁶ Office of the Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Washington, DC, USA.
⁷ Office of the Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, OH, USA.

PMID: 38598122
DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23583

Abstract

Work-related psychosocial hazards are on the verge of surpassing many other occupational hazards in their contribution to ill-health, injury, disability, direct and indirect costs, and impact on business and national productivity. The risks associated with exposure to psychosocial hazards at work are compounded by the increasing background prevalence of mental health disorders in the working-age population. The extensive and cumulative impacts of these exposures represent an alarming public health problem that merits immediate, increased attention. In this paper, we review the linkage between work-related psychosocial hazards and adverse effects, their economic burden, and interventions to prevent and control these hazards. We identify six crucial societal actions: (1) increase awareness of this critical issue through a comprehensive public campaign; (2) increase etiologic, intervention, and implementation research; (3) initiate or augment surveillance efforts; (4) increase translation of research findings into guidance for employers and workers; (5) increase the number and diversity of professionals skilled in preventing and addressing psychosocial hazards; and (6) develop a national regulatory or consensus standard to prevent and control work-related psychosocial hazards.

Keywords: economics; mental health; occupational safety and health; psychological effects; work organization.