A European framework for the management of psychosocial risks in the workplace: Policy and practice

Background: Psychosocial risks, which are linked to the way work is designed, organised and managed, as well as to the economic and social context of work, result in an increased level of stress and can lead to serious deterioration of mental and physical health.    

Aim: This presentation draws on two major research programmes to set the context, key principles and best practice in psychosocial risk management, and also to discuss the European case: PRIMA-EF and ESENER.    

Methods: PRIMA-EF used a variety of methods such as interviews, focus groups, surveys and policy analysis. EU-OSHA's Europe-wide establishment survey on new and emerging risks (ESENER) explored the views of responsible actors (managers and workers' health and safety representatives) on how health and safety risks are managed at their workplace. The survey had a particular focus on psychosocial risks. ESENER involved approximately 36,000 interviews and covered 31 countries (27 European member states, Norway, Switzerland, Croatia and Turkey). Data was collected through computer assisted telephone interviewing (CATI).    

Results: Findings indicated an evident lack of awareness in smaller establishments as concerns OSH in general and psychosocial risks in particular. Musculoskeletal disorders and work-related stress are the key OSH concerns for European enterprises. Smaller establishments report less often that any risks are a major or some concern which raises questions about the real presence of risks or the level of risk awareness by establishments. Both prevalence and management of psychosocial risks were reported to be higher in the Health and Social Work sector and in larger establishments. The profile of psychosocial risks reported across countries indicates that time pressure, lack of employee control in organising their work and job insecurity are the key psychosocial risk concerns reported by managers. Key drivers and barriers to practice were also identified and will be discussed.