Due to the rise of psychosocial hazards and its increasing healthcare associated costs in Europe but also in the whole World, the poor management of those risks becomes an urgent issue to overcome for the states and companies but above all, for the people who suffer from it. The problem is that there is not enough awareness among the society about psychosocial factors and its associated risks. Our master thesis aims at examining and determining the roots of psychosocial hazards by starting from an already existing case study to set and classify the main variables. Thus, through the lens of psychologists and psychiatrists we interviewed with a semi-structured questionnaire, we compare and analyze these variables and their answers in order to identify what are the most important factors to deal with in priority and how to manage them properly. Again, through the lens of the specialists in the field and ours, we question the risk management paradigm presented as a solution to tackle psychosocial hazards in the European survey we found. The main goals of our thesis are to raise awareness among people about psychosocial factors and its associated risks but also to provide a solution to identify and manage them properly in a lucid and realistic leadership but also more human, thanks to the enlightening vision of our dear interviewees.

Este estudio cualitativo, exploratorio y descriptivo en cinco ciudades examina las condiciones de trabajo, los riesgos, los factores influyentes y los efectos en salud experimentados por trabajadores inmigrantes en España. Se diseñó una muestra por criterio.El tamaño de la muestra final de 158 hombres y mujeres documentados e indocumentados se determinó por saturación del discurso. Los datos fueron recogidos entre septiembre del 2006 y mayo de 2007 mediante entrevistas individuales y grupos focales, ambos semiestructurados y con un guión de temas. Se empleó un análisis narrativo del contenido, siguiendo un esquema de generación mixta. Los datos muestran una exposición frecuente a una variedad de riesgos laborales, horas largas de trabajo y pocos días de descanso, además de prácticas discriminatorias en cuanto a la asignación de tareas. Los informantes carecían de formación en seguridad laboral y de experiencia en sus puestos de trabajo. La mayoría tenía poco control sobre su ambiente de trabajo. Finalmente, relataron abusos en términos de sus condiciones de empleo. Los efectos en salud relatados cubrían un rango, desde la experiencia o el miedo de sufrir lesiones agudas, lesiones de estrés crónico, problemas respiratorios y dermatológicos, la acumulación de fatiga, afectaciones del sueño, síntomas somáticos y síntomas de salud psicológica pobre tales como ansiedad y depresión. Se examinan las diferencias halladas por estatus administrativo y género. Estos resultados no dejan lugar a duda en cuanto a la necesidad de mejorar el apoyo a los inmigrantes trabajadores. También son necesarios mejores datos y vigilancia a la salud de esta población como elementos centrales de tal apoyo. Se discuten áreas específcas que requieren más atención desde la investigación y la polítca. / This qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study in five cities examines the working conditions, hazards, influencing factors and effects on health experienced by immigrant workers in Spain. A criterion sample was designed. The final sample of 158 documented and undocumented immigrant men and women was determined by saturation of the discourse. Data were collected between September 2006 and May 2007 through semistructured individual interviews and focus groups, using a topic guide. We employed narrative content analysis to examine data according to a mixed-generation scheme. The data demonstrated widespread exposure to a variety of occupational hazards, long work hours, and few days off, as well as discriminatory assignation of tasks. Informants lacked worker safety training, appropriate personal protective equipment, and experience in current jobs.Most had very little control over elements of their work environment. Finally, informants reported abuses in terms of employment conditions. Health effects reported ranged from the experience or fear of acute injuries, to chronic strain injuries, respiratory and dermatologic responses, to the accumulation of fatigue, sleep affectations, somatic symptoms, and mental health concerns such as anxiety and depressive mood. Differences by documentation status and gender are discussed. These results leave little doubt about the need for better outreach and support for immigrant workers in Spain. Better data collection and surveillance of this worker population is a centrally necessary element of stronger immigrant worker support. Specific areas in need of more study and policy consideration are discussed.