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<< Click to Display Table of Contents >> Integrating psychosocial: From prevention to return to work |
  
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<< Click to Display Table of Contents >> Integrating psychosocial: From prevention to return to work |
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Workplace safety has traditionally focused on preventing physical injuries through engineering controls, safe work procedures and protective equipment. However, we now understand that psychological hazards—such as high job demands, poor support and workplace conflict—can be just as harmful to worker health and wellbeing.
What has become increasingly clear is that psychosocial factors not only contribute to workplace injuries but also significantly influence how well workers recover and return to work after any type of injury or illness. A worker's fear about returning to an unsupportive workplace, anxiety about their job security or concerns about workplace relationships can all delay recovery and prolong absence.
Psychosocial safety is a critical element throughout the employment lifecycle—from preventing workplace hazards to supporting injured workers during recovery. Creating a positive psychosocial safety climate requires an integrated approach that aligns prevention strategies with return to work practices, recognises vulnerable periods during recovery and fosters a balanced workplace culture.
For example, organisations with strong psychosocial safety climates experience significantly higher RTW rates, lower turnover, increased productivity and fewer days lost per workers' compensation claim compared to those with poor psychosocial environments.
Relevant areas of the handbook include:
Understanding psychosocial hazards
Integrated approach to psychosocial safety: Prevention and recovery
Psychosocial safety climate and workplace culture
Preventing psychosocial hazards during return to work
Workplace culture and injury management: 'Give and take' models
How culture influences psychosocial interventions
Diagnostic tools: How healthy is your culture?
Getting it right: The key elements of best practice RTW culture