Context: This industry collaboration project sought to rapidly test the application of a Human Factors approach to psychosocial hazard risk assessment and identification of risk controls to complement the organisational OHS program within required operational timelines.

Aim: To rapidly test the feasibility and application of the Human Factors sociotechnical healthcare model, Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS), to a healthcare ward. Apply SEIPS to assess psychosocial hazards from a systems-based work design perspective and the ability to generate systemic work design risk controls in conjunction with the organisational OHS safety program.

Approach: A mixed methods approach was used to capture a range of qualitative and quantitative data. Data collection comprised a site visit, two risk assessment surveys, analysis of existing organisational data for the mental health unit, a blend of focus groups and semi-structured interviews with staff to gain in-depth insights into survey findings. Focus groups were conducted with a participatory approach to encourage identification of systemic psychosocial risk controls by staff working within the actual work system.

Results: Triangulation of results and thematic analysis identified systemic work design contributing factors comprised the majority of psychosocial hazards and subsequent experience of stress reported by staff. SEIPS provided a user-friendly model with relatable language to support staff to evaluate their work system in-depth and how system elements interact. Thereby, allowing understanding of how these interactions may lead to the emergence of psychosocial hazards and risk to staff. Insights and recommendations were presented and well received by executive and staff as a starting point for risk controls.

Implications: These results support the benefits of integrating a Human Factors systems-thinking participatory approach to healthcare OHS programs for psychosocial hazard risk assessment and identification of risk controls. SEIPS offers a practical model to support organisational systems-thinking based psychosocial work design improvements.