Wien.arbeiterkammer.at Risk assessment of mental job strain at the workplace in Austria Johanna Klösch Department of safety, health and work Austrian Federal.

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Risk assessment of mental job strain at the workplace in Austria

Johanna KlöschDepartment of safety, health and work

Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour

1040 Wien, Prinz-Eugen-Straße 20 - 22

Telefon: [email protected]

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Terms and law

Occupational safety and health in Austria is understood as the

protection of life and health of employees at the workplace

Amendment of the Austrian Workers Safety and Health Protection

Act (1st of January 2013)

Employers must ensure the (physical AND psychological) health,

safety and well-being at work of their employees

Focus on prevention of work-related psychosocial risks

Main tool - risk assessment of mental job strain

Primarily occupational psychologists as special experts (in addition

to Physicians and Safety Technicians/Safety Experts)

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4 dimensions which have to be considered in the risk assessment of mental job strain

job requirements,

social and organizational climate,

working environment,

workflow and organization of work

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Risk assessment of mental job strain – the process

Risk assessment is a process which aims to continuing improvement of working conditions.

30% concept/planning

20% identification and

assessment of risks

40% determination and

implementation of

measures and control of

effectiveness

10% documentationQuelle: Julia Steurer, ZAI

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Adequate measures to prevent psychosocial risks have to

… combat risks at source (Sec. 7 ASchG)

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Adequate measures to prevent psychosocial hazards must have an

… collective impact (Sec. 7 ASchG)

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Adequate measures to prevent psychosocial risks have to be

… conform with the state of the art in work design

(Sec. 7 ASchG)

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Adequate measures to prevent psychosocial risks have to

…reduce or eleminate psychosocial risks

(verifiable!)

…be implemented, verified and if

necessary adapted (Article 7 ASchG)

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Examples of physical and mental work load and countermeasures

Examples of work load

Physical:

Forced postures

Noise

Heat

Glare

Moving heavy loads

Examples of countermeasures

Physical:

Ergonomic workplace design

Noise reduction

Design of indoor climate

Lighting design

Handling equipment

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Examples of physical and mental work load and countermeasures

Mental:

Poorly maintained work equipment

User-unfriendly software

Lack of information

Insufficient communication

Lack of attitude

Monotony

Discriminatory working conditions

Insufficient qualification

Poor working climate

Examples of countermeasures

Mental:

Repair

replacement of work equipment

Sufficient information

Communication planning

Creation of freedom of action

Equal opportunities

Activities rich in variety

Upskilling measures

Appreciative working climate

Examples of work load

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Finding the right key…

Which key fits in which lock?

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Inappropriate measures

Fruit basket, work life balance training,

coaching, team events, …

„better communication“ – not specific

enough how can communication be

improved?

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Publication:

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Healthy workplaces

The world of health, safety and well-being at work

(german) www.gesundearbeit.at

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Thank you for your attention!