Table 1

Definitions of psychosocial hazard and psychosocial risk

TermReferenceDefinition
Psychosocial hazardsAustralian Institute of Health and Safety (2020) Psychosocial hazards describe aspects of work design and management which have the potential to cause stress-mediated harm
International Organisation for Standardisation (2021) Psychosocial hazards relate to how work is organised, social factors at work and aspects of the work environment, equipment and hazardous tasks
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (2022) Psychosocial hazards are factors in the work environment that can cause stress, strain, or interpersonal problems for the worker
Safe Work Australia (2022) Psychosocial hazards are hazards that: (1) arise from or in relation to: the design or management of work, the working environment, plant at a workplace, or workplace interactions or behaviours; and (2) may cause psychological and physical harm
WorkSafe Victoria (2022) Psychosocial hazard means: work design; or systems of work; or management of work; or carrying out the work; or personal or work-related interactions that may arise in the working environment and may cause an employee to experience one or more negative psychological responses that create a risk to their health and safety
Psychosocial risksEuropean Agency for Safety and Health at Work (2014) Psychosocial risks are linked to the way work is designed, organised and managed, as well as to the economic and social context of work, result in an increased level of stress and can lead to serious deterioration of mental and physical health
Health and Safety Executive (n.d.) Psychosocial risks are things that may affect workers' psychological response to their work and workplace conditions (including working relationships with supervisors and colleagues)
International Organisation for Standardisation (2021) Psychosocial risk relates to the potential of these types of hazards to cause several types of outcomes on individual health, safety and well-being and on organisational performance and sustainability. OR A combination of the likelihood of occurrence of exposure to work-related hazard(s) of a psychosocial nature and the severity of injury and ill-health that these hazards can cause
Mental Health Commission of Canada (2013) Psychosocial risk factors refer to hazards, including elements of the work environment, management practices, and/or organisational dimensions that increase the risk to health
Source(s): Authors' own work

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