The Psychosocial Hierarchy of Control: A Pathway to Safer Workplaces

Psychosocial hazards in the workplace, such as high workloads, low resources, and poor organisational culture, have far-reaching consequences on worker well-being, contributing to mental disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and reduced productivity. Recognising the significance of these risks, ISO 45003 provides an international standard for managing psychosocial risks within occupational health and safety systems. Integrating this framework with the Psychosocial Hierarchy of Controls (P-HOC) offers a robust approach to reducing these hazards effectively.

Understanding the Psychosocial Hierarchy of Controls

The P-HOC adapts the traditional hierarchy of controls to address the nuanced nature of psychosocial risks, emphasising higher-level organisational interventions over individual-based measures. This model offers five levels, prioritising interventions that eliminate or reduce hazards at their source for sustained impact.

1. Eliminate Negative Working Conditions (Level 5):
   • This top-level control focuses on removing harmful workplace conditions, such as excessive workloads or harassment.
2. Substitute Healthier Work Practices (Level 4):
   • Replace unsafe practices with healthier alternatives. Flexible scheduling or job rotation can reduce strain and foster a supportive work environment.
3. Redesign the Work Environment (Level 3):
   • Create supportive physical and social workspaces. Examples include ergonomic improvements, collaborative spaces, and inclusive leadership practices.
4. Administrative Controls (Level 2):
   • Develop policies and guidelines that promote mental health, such as clear communication strategies or mental health educational programs. These controls, while valuable, are less impactful on their own and require integration with higher-level measures.
5. Encourage Personal Change (Level 1):
   • Individual-focused interventions, such as mindfulness training or resilience workshops, can complement organisational efforts but should not be the primary strategy.

Linking P-HOC to ISO 45003

ISO 45003 emphasises a proactive approach to managing psychosocial risks through an organizational lens, aligning closely with the P-HOC framework. Both advocate prioritising root-cause interventions—such as eliminating hazards or redesigning processes—over reactive measures like personal resilience training.

ISO 45003 provides guidelines for identifying and mitigating psychosocial risks, offering tools for leadership to foster a psychologically safe workplace. By combining the actionable insights of ISO 45003 with the structured approach of P-HOC, organisations can develop comprehensive risk management strategies that are both effective and sustainable.

Real-World Applications

Case studies in Denmark revealed that companies implementing higher-level P-HOC measures—such as restructuring work processes or increasing staffing—experienced significant improvements in psychosocial safety. These interventions not only reduced stress and burnout but also enhanced workplace culture and productivity. Conversely, reliance on administrative controls alone often fell short of achieving meaningful change.

Practical solutions

At Spring Safety Consultants, we specialise in guiding organisations to align with ISO 45003 and implement the P-HOC effectively. From conducting psychosocial risk assessments to designing comprehensive intervention strategies and psychosocial management plans, we are here to help you create safer, healthier workplaces. Let’s prioritise your employees’ well-being while driving organisational success.

References

Kjærgaard, A., Rudolf, E. M., Palmqvist, J., Jakobsen, M. E., & Ajslev, J. Z. N. (2024). The Psychosocial Hierarchy of Controls: Effectively Reducing Psychosocial Hazards at Work. American Journal of Industrial Medicine.