PSYCHOSOCIAL-ASPECTS OF INTERVENTIONS IN OCCUPATIONAL-SAFETY AND HEALTH

Attention to psychosocial hazards in work environments should become a n increasingly important component of occupational safety and health i nterventions. Research findings have linked a number of measurable psy chosocial characteristics with negative psychological and physiologica l consequences, Some serious physical health hazards have also been fo und to have psychosocial components. Several economic trends indicate that more jobs will be created with high levels of psychosocial hazard s. These economic trends include a decline in wages, a move away from a manufacturing base, increased hours of work, a decline in unionizati on rates, and poorly implemented technological changes. Intervention s trategies developed to reduce psychosocial stressors must address the multiple cause of psychosocial hazards and the multiple symptoms they produce. Additional challenges include assessing psychosocial changes within the sometimes contradictory framework of organizational and soc ial changes. Nevertheless, comprehensive efforts to both the both the health and safety and the overall quality of working life need to inco rporate psychosocial variables into their designs. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss , Inc.