Legal Background

According to the European Council Directive (89/391/EEC), every employer has a duty to ensure the safety and health of workers in every work-related aspect (see Section II Article 5).

Section II Article 9 Paragraph 1

The employer shall:

(a) be in posession of an assessment of the risks to safety and health at work including those facing groups of workers exposed to particular risks;

(b) decide on the protective measures to be taken and, if necessary, the protective equipment to be used;

[…]

Section II Article 6 Paragraph

The employer shall implement the measures on the basis of the general principles of prevention:

(a) avoiding risks;

(b) evaluating the risks which cannot be avoided;

(c) combating the risks at source;

(d) adapting the work to the individual, especially as regards the design of work places, the choice of work equipment and the choice of working and production methods, with a view, in particular, to alleviating monotonous work and work at a predetermined work-rate and to reducing their effect on health;

[…]

Explanation of terms

What is meant by psychosocial risk factors at work?

Psychosocial risk factors at work is an umbrella term for all aspects of the working environment and task design that influence workers and employees psychially. “Psychic” means, that these influences affect human experience and behavior.

It is not about mental illness.

Why are psychosocial risk factors assessed?

Every employer is legally obliged to document psychosocial risks within the scope of risk assessment. The aim is to create a work activity that strengthens the health and well-being of employees in the medium and long term so that they remain physically and mentally healthy.

What is the specific goal of assessing psychosocial risk factors with PsyHealth?

The aim of PsyHealth procedure is to assess work-related psychosocial risk factors. The results can be used to evaluate the degree of psychosocial risk associated with an activity. If necessary, occupational safety interventions are derived in order to optimize work environment and task design and minimize potential risks.