PSYCHOSOCIAL RISKS IN WORKERS AT A SUGAR AND ALCOHOL PLANT IN NORTHEAST BRAZIL

Abstract

The term psychosocial risk refers to the harm caused to the physical or mental health of workers. Although there is extensive research on the topic across various professional categories, few studies focus on workers in the sugarcane industry. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate psychosocial risks among workers at an ethanol plant in the Brazilian sugarcane industry, located in Rio Grande do Norte. A sample of 167 workers was selected. The instrument used was the PROART (Psychosocial Risk Assessment Protocol at Work) to identify psychosocial risks. The results indicate positive scores on the work organization scale, with 51.93% and 50.45% between points 4 and 5 ("frequently" and "always"), referring to the division of tasks and social division of labor factors, respectively. Regarding management style, 39.58% of respondents marked points 4 and 5 of the "individualistic management style" factor ("often" or "always"). Regarding the factors "lack of meaning in work," "mental exhaustion," and "lack of recognition," the results were positive, with 8.72%, 9.59%, and 9.59%, respectively, between points 4 and 5 ("often" and "always"). Finally, regarding the work-related harm scale, the results were also positive across all items, with very low percentages between "often" and "always": psychological harm (2.57%), social harm (1.49%), and physical harm (5.32%).

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56238/edimpacto2025.060-014