Psychosocial Risk Prevention in a Global Occupational Health Perspective. A Descriptive Analysis

TLDR

The study sought to identify which countries mandate psychosocial hazard and workplace violence assessments and to compare their legislative approaches. The authors systematically searched the ILO LEGOSH database (Dec 2017–Feb 2018) for 132 countries, classifying 23 as developed and 109 as developing. The review found that 64 % of countries lack mandatory psychosocial risk assessment, with developed nations more likely to have such measures, and that variations—including limited workplace violence prohibitions—create unequal worker protection worldwide.

Abstract

This study aimed to find out which countries around the world require psychosocial hazards and workplace violence to be assessed by employers through a mandatory occupational risk assessment process and to compare the type of legislation between countries. We systematically searched the International Labour Office (ILO) "LEGOSH" database for documents published during the period between December 2017 and February 2018. The search included 132 countries, of which 23 were considered as developed and 109 as developing according to the United Nations. Our review showed that most countries (85, i.e., 64%) have not included mandatory psychosocial risk assessment and prevention in their national occupational safety and health legislation. Moreover, we found differences between developed and developing countries, showing that developed countries more frequently have legislative measures. Within developed countries, we also found differences between countries following the Scandinavian model of workplace health and safety culture and other countries. Moreover, in many countries, workplace violence was prohibited only if it involves an offence to moral or religious customs. In conclusion, the marked difference in psychosocial hazards and workplace violence regulations among countries leads to unequal levels of workers' protection, with adverse effects on global health.