Most safety and health professionals haven’t had the opportunity to learn much about the field of Occupational Health Psychology (OHP). Yet most of us acknowledge the impact stress and other psycho-social risk factors have on safety, health and wellness.

NIOSH provides a great source of background information on its Safety and Health Topic Page: Occupational Health Psychology. According to NIOSH,  “Occupational Health Psychology concerns the application of psychology to improving the quality of work-life, and to protecting and promoting the safety, health and well-being of workers.”

Here in Portland, and as part of the Oregon Healthy Workforce Center, we are lucky to partner with the Occupational Health Psychology Program at Portland State University. As we collaborate with occupational health psychologists, we get a better understanding of job stress, work-life balance, organizational risk factors for occupational stress, injury and illness, and what organizational interventions and programs can be successful in improving health protection and health promotion in our places of work.

The Oregon Healthy Workforce Center is excited for our first annual Summer Institute in Occupational Health Psychology. A full agenda and online registration is now available on the Summer Institute webpage. Join other researchers and practitioners and register for a day or all four days to learn more about OHP.

Resources
NIOSH Safety and Health Topics: Occupational Health Psychology
CROETweb: Total Worker Health Topic