Review article

PSYCHOSOCIAL RISKS AND WORKERS' HEALTH

Marija Zavalić ; Hrvatski zavod za zaštitu zdravlja i sigurnost na radu, Zagreb, Hrvatska

Abstract

Work may have both positive and negative impact on human health and well-being. When long-term excessive demands of the work and/or organization of work are such that they cause a disproportion between the workers' satisfaction and their efficiency at work, substantial psychosocial risks may arise. They may bring on emotional, cognitive, behavioural and physiological reactions to the work itself and its organization, to the work environment, and result in a general inability to harmonize working life with personal life. Cognitive and behaviour disorders caused by psychosocial risks take the form from mild subjective ailments, such as headaches and fatigue, to anxiety, anger, loss of concentration, irritability and depressive behaviour. Psychosocial risks often cause increased consumption of alcohol, cigarettes and drugs. All these constitute an introduction to somatic diseases, with the most common ones being the diseases of the cardiovascular and digestive systems, diabetes type II and, most recently, malignant diseases. According to European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, 50 to 60% of all lost work days are caused by these risks. European Commission emphasizes the importance for workers and employers to cut down psychosocial risks at work as one of the currently highest priorities in the European Union.

Keywords

psychosocial risks at work; causes; diseases; education

Hrčak ID:

146880

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/146880

Publication date:

9.10.2015.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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