Risk assessment of mental job strain at the

Risk assessment of mental job strain at the workplace in Austria Johanna Klösch Department of safety, health and work Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour 1040 Wien, Prinz-Eugen-Straße 20 - 22 Telefon: 01 -50165 -2528 johanna. kloesch@akwien. at wien. arbeiterkamme r. at

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 (1 st 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) wien. arbeiterkamme r. at

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 wien. arbeiterkamme r. at

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 Quelle: Julia Steurer, ZAI 10% documentation wien. arbeiterkamme r. at

Adequate measures to prevent psychosocial risks have to … combat risks at source (Sec. 7 ASch. G) wien. arbeiterkamme r. at

Adequate measures to prevent psychosocial hazards must have an … collective impact (Sec. 7 ASch. G) wien. arbeiterkamme r. at

Adequate measures to prevent psychosocial risks have to be … conform with the state of the art in work design (Sec. 7 ASch. G) wien. arbeiterkamme r. at

Adequate measures to prevent psychosocial risks have to …reduce or eleminate psychosocial risks (verifiable!) …be implemented, verified and if necessary adapted (Article 7 ASch. G) wien. arbeiterkamme r. at

Examples of physical and mental work load and countermeasures Examples of work load Examples of countermeasures Physical: Forced postures Ergonomic workplace design Noise reduction Heat Design of indoor climate Glare Lighting design Moving heavy loads Handling equipment wien. arbeiterkamme r. at

Examples of physical and mental work load and countermeasures Examples of work load Mental: Poorly maintained work equipment Repair User-unfriendly software replacement of work equipment Lack of information Sufficient information Insufficient communication Communication planning Lack of attitude Creation of freedom of action Monotony Equal opportunities Discriminatory working conditions Activities rich in variety Insufficient qualification Upskilling measures Poor working climate Appreciative working climate wien. arbeiterkamme r. at

Finding the right key… Which key fits in which lock? wien. arbeiterkamme r. at

Inappropriate measures Fruit basket, work life balance training, coaching, team events, … „better communication“ – not specific enough how can communication be improved? wien. arbeiterkamme r. at

Publication: wien. arbeiterkamme r. at

Healthy workplaces The world of health, safety and well-being at work (german) www. gesundearbeit. at wien. arbeiterkamme r. at

Thank you for your attention! wien. arbeiterkamme r. at