Labour inspections and the prevention of psychosocial risks at work : a realist synthesis

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State: Public
Version: Final published version
Serval ID
serval:BIB_8077B0B740CD
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Publication sub-type
Review (review): journal as complete as possible of one specific subject, written based on exhaustive analyses from published work.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Labour inspections and the prevention of psychosocial risks at work : a realist synthesis
Journal
Safety Science
Author(s)
Weissbrodt Rafaël, Giauque David
ISSN
0925-7535
ISSN-L
0925-7535
Publication state
Published
Issued date
01/09/2017
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
100
Number
Part A
Pages
110-124
Language
english
Abstract
Background: Little research exists on the effectiveness of workplace visits by labour inspectors in relation to psychosocial risks. The study aimed to produce a consistent and transferable evidence-based framework.
Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review using the realist synthesis approach. Searches in three electronic databases, systematic hand-searches in five specialised journals and iterative purposive searches yielded 25 publications. The initial search included any study between 2000 and 2015 containing information on labour inspectorates and psychosocial risks or stress at work. We conducted a complementary search to identify publications from French-speaking authors.
Results: The synthesis yielded a conceptual model relating public intervention measures, mechanisms of action, outcomes and contexts. Publications indicate positive outcomes in 4 cases, possibly positive in 2, mixed outcomes in 4, and no or poor effects in 10. Studies from Nordic countries show some positive outcomes of inspection activities based on dialogue with employers, group interviews with employees, repeated visits and combinations with other communication and information channels, in the context of highly organised labour markets. Conversely, other studies highlight the limitations of intervention strategies that rely on an “enlightenment” principle, in a context of increasingly precarious and flexible work situations.
Conclusion: The synthesis suggests the possibility of positive outcomes of inspectors’ interventions on psychosocial risks in supportive contexts and with appropriate training and resources. However, strong evidence is lacking and more evaluation studies are necessary. A comprehensive conceptual framework may help to analyse the wide range of factors influencing the effectiveness of workplace visits by inspectors.

Keywords
labour inspection, psychosocial risks, psychosocial work environment, realist synthesis, literature review, systematic review
Open Access
Yes
Create date
08/03/2017 14:57
Last modification date
20/08/2019 14:41
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