Psychosocial risk is more than a wellbeing concern. It’s a strategic risk that affects performance, injury rates, staff retention, and leadership credibility. Yet in many organisations, it's the most overlooked part of the safety conversation.

At Fortis & Noble, we help organisations uncover and address the cultural and leadership dynamics that drive risk — using a structured audit model based on real research and operational experience.

This isn’t theory. It’s based on specialist research into the link between psychosocial stress and musculoskeletal injury, including a national survey of over 250 HSE-registered professionals.

What Are Psychosocial Risks?

Psychosocial risks are the organisational and relational factors that affect how people experience their work. Left unmanaged, they quietly undermine even the best systems.

• Common risks include:
• Excessive workload or poor task design
• Lack of role clarity or control
• Unsafe or inconsistent supervision
• Fear of speaking up
• Leadership behaviours that don’t match stated values

These risks are not just cultural “soft spots” — they are predictors of real harm, from MSDs and stress-related absence to safety stagnation and reputational damage.

When Psychosocial Risk Goes Unchecked

Organisations that fail to manage these risks typically see:

• Higher rates of physical injury and long-term absence
• Declining engagement and presenteeism
• Poor retention, whistleblowing, or cultural drift
• Difficulty meeting ISO 45003 or CDM expectations
• Weakness in tenders, audits, or external scrutiny
• Our Approach: Practical, Proportionate, Informed

Led by Patrick Ryan (MSc, MIIRSM), our audits are designed for real-world use — tailored to high-responsibility sectors like construction, energy, public services, and critical infrastructure.

We deliver:

• A structured audit aligned with ISO 45003
• Confidential staff input to surface hidden risks
• Leadership and supervisory review
• Clear, board-level reporting with priority actions
• Optional follow-up support for training or implementation

Unlike most psychosocial assessments, we don’t rely on generic surveys or vague benchmarks. Our work is proportionate, practical, and aligned with both health and safety law and cultural leadership principles.

Why Organisations Choose Fortis & Noble

Our clients are serious about safety culture — and want more than posters, pulse surveys, or resilience training. 

They come to us for:

• Clear links between psychosocial factors and injury risk
• Integration with CDM duties and operational safety systems
• Reports that support both board assurance and team-level action
• Advisors with credibility in risk, safety, and leadership contexts
• We don’t sell wellness. We deliver cultural intelligence that protects people and strengthens performance.
• Built for Standards — and Reality

With ISO 45003 gaining traction and HSE reinforcing its position on stress and MSDs, psychosocial risk is becoming a baseline expectation, not a bonus.

We help organisations meet and exceed these expectations — in a way that works operationally.

Whether you’re preparing for external audit, responding to union concern, or trying to shift a stuck safety culture, we provide the clarity and evidence you need to move forward.

From Audit to Action

Every audit is the starting point. Afterward, we offer targeted support such as:

• Supervisor coaching on culture and influence
• Leadership insight sessions
• Staff consultation strategy
• Reporting system reviews
• Follow-up diagnostics and progress tracking

Let’s Talk

If you’re ready to go beyond surface-level culture work — and want insight that drives action — we’d be glad to support you.