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An estimated 840,000 people die every year from health conditions linked to work-related psychosocial risks, according to a new report by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Some of these risks include long working hours, job insecurity, and workplace harassment.
To arrive at this figure, data on the global prevalence of five major psychosocial risk factors at work and scientific research showing how these risks increase the likelihood of serious health conditions were used.
The ILO then applied these risk levels to the latest global mortality and health data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study to estimate the number of deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to these risks each year.
ILO’s report titled “The psychosocial working environment: Global developments and pathways for action,” which was published on Wednesday, revealed that these risks account for nearly 45 million DALYs lost annually.
These risks contribute to physical and mental health conditions such as mental disorders, suicide, depression, and anxiety, as well as metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, and sleep disturbances.
It explained that psychosocial risk factors, including long working hours, job insecurity, high demands with low control, and workplace bullying and harassment, can create harmful working environments if not properly addressed.
According to the ILO, the organisation and management of work, as well as the policies, practices and procedures that govern it, can affect workers’ health and well-being and performance.
“Psychosocial risks arise from these elements and can be prevented through organisational approaches that address their root causes,” the report noted.
Manal Azzi, the team lead on OSH Policy and Systems at the ILO, said psychosocial risks are becoming one of the most significant challenges for occupational safety and health.
“Improving the psychosocial working environment is essential not only for protecting workers’ mental and physical health, but also for strengthening productivity, organizational performance and sustainable economic development,” said Azzi.
