EOH-PSY1:Occupational Health and Safety Psychology

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of occupational health and safety psychology, an interdisciplinary area concerned with the health, safety, and well-being of workers. Students will explore the psychological principles and theories that underpin workplace health and safety, including the impact of occupational stressors on physical and mental health, the role of psychosocial factors in accident risk, and the design of evidence-based interventions to promote safer and healthier workplaces. The course is structured into two parts. The first part (Periods 1–3) uses Cunningham and colleagues’ Essentials of Occupational Health Psychology to build a foundational understanding of the field, covering its history, the major models of occupational stress, work-related health outcomes such as burnout, and the practical strategies for promoting worker well-being. The second part (Periods 4–5) uses Clarke and Burke’s Occupational Health and Safety (Psychological and Behavioural Aspects of Risk) to examine the psychological and behavioural dimensions of workplace safety, including safety climate and culture, the psychology of risk and injury prevention, and the management of psychosocial hazards such as workplace violence and organizational injustice. The course emphasizes the application of psychological science to real-world occupational health and safety challenges.

COURSE TEACHING OBJECTIVES

1. Analyze the historical development, core concepts, and interdisciplinary foundations of occupational health psychology.
2. Evaluate the major theoretical models of occupational stress and their application to understanding worker health and well-being.
3. Assess the psychological and behavioural factors that influence workplace safety, including safety climate, safety culture, and risk perception.
4. Critically examine the impact of psychosocial hazards, including burnout, workplace violence, and organizational injustice, on worker health and safety.
5. Apply evidence-based interventions and practices for promoting occupational health, preventing injury, and managing psychosocial risks.
6. Synthesize psychological principles to develop a comprehensive workplace health and safety plan.

COURSE STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Articulate the scope, history, and core concepts of occupational health psychology.
2. Apply major occupational stress models to analyze worker health outcomes.
3. Explain the psychological and behavioural aspects of workplace safety and risk management.
4. Evaluate the role of safety climate and safety culture in preventing occupational injuries.
5. Analyze the impact of psychosocial hazards on worker health and organizational outcomes.
6. Design evidence-based interventions for promoting occupational health and safety.
7. Produce a comprehensive workplace health and safety plan grounded in psychological principles.

ORGANIZATION OF COURSE STUDIES

The course is organized into five study periods (typically 2–3 weeks each, though self-paced). Each period includes intensive reading of the assigned textbook, viewing of the supplementary video, and a short response paper or reflective assignment (500–1,000 words) reflecting on the material and its application. Students must contact the instructor for feedback after each period.