Psychosocial risk assessment: problems and prospects

Abstract

Health and safety legislation now requires organizations to undertake risk assessments for psychosocial hazards in the workplace. Despite this, there is relatively little guidance on what constitutes a psychosocial risk assessment and how one should be conducted. The approaches that do exist are not without problems. This paper examines some of the difficulties with current approaches and looks at possible areas for development to improve understanding and performance in this important area of health and safety management.