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Leveraging the Physical Hierarchy of Controls for Psychological Hazard Management

Creating a safe and supportive work environment includes addressing both physical and psychological aspects of hazard management. The Hierarchy of Controls is a widely used model in health and safety management, designed to eliminate or mitigate workplace risks. This model organizes controls into five levels, starting with the most effective (elimination of the hazard) and ending with the least effective (personal protective equipment).

In the graphic below, you’ll see how this model has been adapted to highlight both physical and psychological controls, demonstrating how they can work together to manage risks. Recognizing that it may not be possible to eliminate every risk, the goal is to start at the top of the inverted pyramid and work through each layer of controls, applying as many as needed to reduce risks to acceptable levels. Although the controls are organized by their effectiveness, it’s important to consider all layers, as they tend to yield the best results when used in combination.

By incorporating both physical and psychological controls, you ensure a comprehensive approach to hazard management that protects and supports your workforce.

Download a printer-friendly PDF version of the Hierarchy of Controls diagram.

To gain insight into how each step in the hierarchy can be applied to address psychological hazards, review the industry examples below, adapted from WorkSafeBC’s Framework for Success:

  1. Elimination
    • Hazard Identified: Insufficient worker input into job design in a hotel, leading to inefficiencies in guest services and employee dissatisfaction.
    • Control: Implement a structured job design framework that involves hotel staff in planning and execution. Schedule regular collaborative workshops for employees to co-design workflows and schedules and establish a feedback loop to continuously assess and adjust based on staff input. This empowers employees and enhances service efficiency.
  2. Substitution (Re-design Work)
    • Hazard: Inadequate communication about health and safety in a museum, leading to unaddressed hazards and staff stress.
    • Control: Redesign communication processes by implementing regular safety briefings and establishing clear reporting channels for staff to raise health and safety concerns. Create a centralized system for tracking and addressing physical and psychological hazards promptly.
  3. Engineering Controls (Adjust)
    • Hazard: Lack of respect and civility among staff and between management and employees in the restaurant, leading to tension during shifts, miscommunication, and frequent interpersonal conflict.
    • Control: Promote respectful interactions by training restaurant managers and shift leaders to model positive behaviors, such as recognizing employee efforts and encouraging open communication. Implement a clear conflict resolution process to support employees and emphasize teamwork over competition to maintain a positive work culture.
  4. Administrative Controls (Educate)
    • Hazard: Lack of a psychological health and safety policy in the pub, resulting in unmanaged stress and inadequate support for staff facing mental health challenges.
    • Control: Create a psychological health and safety policy with input from pub staff. Use a risk management approach to identify and mitigate stressors, such as dealing with difficult customers and long shifts. Incorporate educational programs that promote mental well-being and equip staff with coping strategies. Establish clear procedures to support mental health, demonstrating the pub’s commitment to fostering a positive work environment.
  5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
    • Hazard: Lack of mental health resources, education, and support for staff at the ski resort, leading to burnout and unmanaged stress during peak season.
    • Control: Utilize internal and external support, including WorkSafeBC’s Critical Incident Response program. Resort managers should model healthy behaviors by promoting work-life balance, encouraging breaks, limiting overtime, and supporting self-care. Provide mental health training and resources such as the Mental Health Continuum to all ski resort employees.

It is essential to consider both physical and psychological aspects of hazard management to create a truly safe and supportive work environment. By using the Hierarchy of Controls to address these dimensions, you ensure a thorough approach that effectively mitigates risks and enhances employee well-being.

To continue learning more about this topic check out our course ‘Introduction to Psychological Health and Safety’!