Berlin, 24 January 2008

Eusebio Rial GonzálezHead of the European Risk Observatory

Work-related stress in the EU: Work-related stress in the EU: recent developmentsrecent developments

Overview

Work-related stress: a key concern across the EU Policy

Research

Practice

Social dialogue

Overview

Work-related stress: a key concern across the EU Policy

Research

Practice

Social dialogue

Community strategy 2002-2006 on health and safety at work

Explicit mention of psychosocial risks as a key reason for the Strategy:

“With a view to relaunching the policy on health and safety at work, the European Commission defined a new Community strategy in 2002 for the period 2002-2006. This was based on an overall approach to wellbeing at work which took account of changes in the workplace and the emergence of new risks, especially those of a psychosocial nature”

Community strategy 2002-2006 on health and safety at work

“Taking account of new risks. The increase in psycho-social problems and illnesses is posing a new challenge to health and safety at work and is compromising moves to improve well-being at work. The various forms of psychological harassment and violence at work likewise pose a special problem nowadays” (§3.3.1)

Community strategy 2007-2012 on health and safety at work

Renewed attention in 2007-2012 strategy: “At the present time, problems associated with

poor mental health constitute the fourth most frequent cause of incapacity for work. The WHO estimates that depression will be the main cause of incapacity by 2020. The workplace can be an appropriate place in which to prevent psychological problems and promote better mental health.”

Overview

Work-related stress: a key concern across the EU Policy

Research

Practice

Social dialogue

1934

Emerging risks…?

“New and emerging risks”

“New” if:A completely new risk, orA long-standing issue newly considered a

risk due to a change in public perception, or

New scientific knowledge leads a long-standing issue to be identified as a risk

“New and emerging risks”

“Emerging” if…The number of hazards leading to

potential harm is growing, or There is a higher likelihood of exposure

to those hazards, orThe harm caused is worsening (in severity,

or in numbers affected)

December 2005: OSH research priorities

Input into FP7

Psychosocial work environment

Musculoskeletal disorders

Dangerous substances OSH management

Seminar series on research priorities: Bilbao, Berlin, Warsaw

12

Identify causes, effects and design preventive solutions for new risks

• Instruments/ secondary objectives

Research priorities: psychosocial issues, musculoskeletal disorders, dangerous substances,

knowledge of reproductive risks, OSH management, risks associated with several cross-factors

Promotion mental health at work place

promote and prevent violence and harassment

at workplace

Employment of people with mental

disabilities

Identify causes, effects and design preventative solutions for new risks

Research priorities: psychosocial issues, musculoskeletal disorders, dangerous substances,

knowledge of reproductive risks, OSH management, risks associated with several cross-factors

Research policy

when

29 November 2005 “Priorities for occupational

safety and health research in the EU-25 ”

1-2 December 2005 First research seminar, DGs

attending, consolidated list of priorities

10 January 2006 FP6 call for proposals on

work-related stress & violence

18-19 January 2007 “PRIMA-EF” launched

sciencemetmone

y

Overview

Work-related stress: a key concern across the EU Policy

Research

Practice

Social dialogue

Practical tools and methods still needed

PRIMA-EF project: Psychosocial RIsk MAnagement – European Framework Develop detailed recommendations and evidence-based

best-practice guidance on the management of these issues at the workplace to promote clarity and a unified European approach that will enable stakeholders to put these in practice to improve the quality of working life

EU-OSHA: European Survey of Enterprises on New and Emerging Risks (ESENER): psychosocial risks How do enterprises (public and private) deal with

psychosocial risks? How can we help them? What are the barriers to action? What are the drivers for action

Overview

Work-related stress: a key concern across the EU Policy

Research

Practice

Social dialogue

A shared concern in EU social dialogue

Framework agreement on work-related stress (8.10.2004) “Work-related stress has been identified at

international, European and national levels as a concern for both employers and workers”

Framework agreement on harassment and violence at work (26.4.2007) BUSINESSEUROPE, UEAPME, CEEP and ETUC (and

the liaison committee EUROCADRES/CEC) condemn them in all their forms. They consider it is a mutual concern of employers and workers to deal with this issue, which can have serious social and economic consequences.

Thank you for your attention

Eusebio Rial Gonzálezrial@osha.europa.eu

http://osha.europa.eu

http://riskobservatory.osha.europa.eu