Working Too Hard to Advise You Not to Work Too Hard: Psychosocial Risk Factors and Quality of Life Among Occupational Health and Safety Experts

OHS professionals exposed to several psychosocial risks in the course of their work, according to this study, amplified by the social interactivity of their role.

This Turkish study surveyed 101 OHS experts (65 male, 36 female) on psychosocial factors, quality of life and more.

Key findings:

· While OHS professionals may help others with eliminating or minimising psychosocial risks at work, they themselves “are being exposed to several psychosocial hazards while conducting their duties”

· The risks they face may “negatively influence the life quality of OHS experts”

· “experts in the least experienced group reported higher psychosocial risks about equipment and work environment” whereas the least experienced reported higher psychosocial risks

· Expectedly, heavy workload was implicated with increased intention to leave and mediated by emotional exhaustion

· No differences in psychosocial risk exposure and quality of life were found based on gender, though other research has suggested “differences between male and female OHS experts in terms of stress and emotional exhaustion … satisfaction with work … and happiness”

· “Those experts who worked in joint health and safety units were at a disadvantaged position concerning psychosocial risks associated with heavy work schedules and quality of life.”

· “All 17 domains of psychosocial risks were found to be negatively associated with quality of life” and “Interpersonal relations subscale was the single most powerful predictor of quality of life”

· While factors like income were assessed, interpersonal relations “emerged as the single most powerful predictor of quality of life among OHS experts”

· And “Hazards related to interpersonal relations include, but are not limited to, social or physical isolation, interpersonal conflict, poor relationships with supervisors, and poor social support”

· For why interpersonal relations was the strongest predictor, they argue that since OHS is a highly interpersonal role – e.g. it relies heavily on engaging with people, building relationships etc., this necessarily brings OHS people into constant risk of conflict

· In all they state the findings suggest “what happens at work does not stay at work”

Ref: Fındık, G., & Ocaktan, M. (2025). Working Too Hard to Advise You Not to Work Too Hard: Psychosocial Risk Factors and Quality of Life Among Occupational Health and Safety Experts. Çalışma ve Toplum, 3(86), 1171-1192.