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Assessment of Psychosocial Risks

Mag. Barbara Huber, Occupational Psychologist

AUVA Headquarters, Vienna

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Introduction

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Introduction

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  • What keywords come to mind when you think of mental stress at work?
  • What are psychosocial risks for you?

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What are the psychological risks, what do they entail and what are they not about?

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They are not about job satisfaction, well-being, discomfort or work ability, they are about the analysis of working conditions!

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What is it about…?

What is it not about?

e.g. information, required scope of cooperation, feedback

“I get on well with my supervisor.”

e.g. scope in terms of time / content, completeness of the activity

„I am satisfied with the work tasks.”

e.g. consistency, predictability, cycle change

„I am feeling stressed.“

Collective Hazard Protection:

Working Conditions

Individuals

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Mental Stress

  • Mental Stress & Strain according to the Standard ÖNORM EN ISO 10075 (1-3) Ergonomic principles related to mental workload

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    • Task - Organisational Climate – Working Environment - Work Processes and Organization.

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    • Stimulating Effects, Impairing Effects &Consequence of Strain e.g. Learning & Development - Illness & Addiction

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Stress or Strain?

  1. In the last 2 weeks I have felt energetic and active.

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  • I can do my work, but I have symptoms.

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  • I keep getting interrupted in my actual work.

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  • I find it difficult to switch off after work.

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  • I get annoyed easily.

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  • Even on holiday I sometimes have to think about problems at work.

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  • Responsibilities and competences are unclear.

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  • I don't react quite as quickly at the moment.

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Demands on employers

ISO 10075 (1-3) Ergonomic principles related to mental workload

Cooperation & Communication

Social Demands

Attention & Concentration

Cognitive Demands

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Motivation & Emotion

Emotional Demands

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Legal Basis

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Framework Agreement on Work-Related Stress

  • The Framework Agreement on Work-Related Stress is an important legal instrument aimed at addressing and preventing work-related stress within the EU.
  • It was established through social dialogue between European trade unions and employers' organizations.
  • The Framework Agreement is based on Article 139(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
  • Article 139(2) allows the EU to adopt measures to improve the working environment for workers, particularly to protect their health and safety.

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Framework Agreement on Work-Related Stress

  • The Framework Agreement focuses on promoting a preventive approach to work-related stress management.
  • Key objectives include:
    • Identifying and assessing work-related stressors.
    • Implementing measures to prevent and manage stress.
    • Enhancing cooperation between employers and employees.

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Sources

Framework Agreement on Work-Related Stress

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For Example: Legal Basis in Austria

  • ASchG (Austrian Workers` Protection Law) amendment 2013
    • Definitions §2(7) ASchG
      • (7) work-related physical and mental stress
      • (7a) physical and mental health
    • Risk Assessment §4 ASchG
      • (1) 6. Design of work tasks and the type of work, work environment, work processes as well as work organisation
      • (4) to strive for improvement of working conditions.

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For Example: Legal Basis in Austria

  • ASchG (Austrian Workers` Protection Law) amendment 2013
    • Principles of Risk Prevention§7 ASchG
      • 3. „Fighting hazards at the source“
      • 4. "...Human factor at work...“
      • 5. "Consideration of the state of the art“
      • 8. "Priority of collective hazard protection…“

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Risk Assessment

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Risk Assessment

The process of assessment of psychosocial risks is the same as in other risks. Steps of psychosocial risk assessment are explained in the next slides

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Risk Assessment

Preparation in the Steering Team

Formation of Analyse-Groups

Selection of suitable methods and Instruments

Timetable

Information to all stakeholders

Identification of stress factors

Measure Derivations

Feedback

Implementation

Documentation

Effectiveness Monitoring

& Adjustment

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Methods &

Instruments

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Methods & Instruments

Instruments – provided free of charge by AUVA

    • KFZA online – Short Questionnaire of Working Analysis
    • ABS – Working Evaluation Scale (Workshop, Group Interview)
    • Individual Interview - EVALOG

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Methods & Instruments

Short Questionnaire of Working Analysis

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Methods & Instruments

    • KFZA online – Short Questionnaire of Working Analysis
    • ABS – Working Evaluation Scale (Workshop, Group Interview)
    • Individual Interview – EVALOG
    • Other instruments

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KFZA online

  • KFZA online – Short Questionnaire of Working Analysis
    • Authors: J. Prümper, K. Hartmannsgruber, M. Frese
    • Screening (level 2 of 3) - "Overview purposes
    • 26 items, 5 response categories
    • Positively and negatively formulated items
    • Sector- and activity-unspecific
    • Online: location-independent, paperless & quick
  • https://fragebogen-arbeitsanalyse.at

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Results – Overview of Results

KFZA online

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  • Written Survey – Questionnaire

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Advantage

Disadvantage

Quick overview and focal points recognizable

No possibility to ask questions for understanding

Little time required

No detailed information

All employees can be involved

Additional steps to concretize the “stressor”

High participation possible

At least 10 people per task group

KFZA online

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Methods & Instruments

  • Instruments – provided free of charge by AUVA
    • KFZA online – Short Questionnaire of Working Analysis
    • ABS – Working Evaluation Scale (Workshop, Group Interview)
    • Individual Interview – EVALOG
    • Other instruments

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ABS

  • ABS – Working Evaluation Scale
    • Industry and task: universal
    • Workshop procedure
    • 22 items, examples:
      • Responsibilities and competences are unclear.
      • Work assignments are inconsistent.
      • Information or documents necessary for the work are missing.

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ABS

ABS – Working Evaluation Scale

    • Facilitated group interview
    • One workshop per activity group
    • 3 - 12 participants per workshop
    • Duration per workshop 3 - 4 hours

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ABS

ABS – Working Evaluation Scale

    • Procedure
    • Step 1: Questionnaire
    • Step 2: Stress focus
    • Step 3: Stress precisation
    • Step 4: Development of measures

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ABS – Evaluation scale

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ABS

  • Written Survey – Workshop

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Advantage

Disadvantage

More detailed information possible

At least 1 workshop per task group

Suggestions for improvement measures

Medium time expenditure

Also for small activity groups of 3 persons or more

Moderation skills required

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Methods & Instrument

    • KFZA online – Short Questionnaire of Working Analysis
    • ABS – Working Evaluation Scale (Workshop, Group Interview)
    • Individual Interview – EVALOG
    • Other instruments

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EVALOG

Individual interview

    • Evaluation of psychosocial risks in dialogue (EVALOG )
    • Evaluation booklet - E24

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https://www.eval.at/evaluierung-im-dialog

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  • Evaluation of psychosocial risks in dialogue (EVALOG )
    • Short questionnaire for work analysis" KFZA
    • Developed on behalf of AUVA - by J. Prümper & J. Vowinkel (scientific support)
    • Interview by employer or employee
    • Micro-enterprises
    • Interview with max. 3 employees

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EVALOG

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EVALOG

Development - Accompanying study by Vowinkel & Prümper

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EVALOG

  • Interview preparation - information sheets, e.g.
    • Preparation for evaluators - short interview guide
    • Process of the conversation
      • Structuring of the time sequence: make sure that the evaluation dialogue starts on time and ends reliably.
      • Keep an eye on the clock.
      • Conduct a dialogue, avoid monologues.
      • Allow personal opinions to be expressed.

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EVALOG

  • Interview – 27 Questions / Items

Identification of stress factors

Is there an imbalance in the load?

Assessment is in the red or yellow range:

Yes No

Step 2

Step 1

Date of Evaluation:

Task Group of Evaluation:

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EVALOG: Individual interview

  • Precisions of Stressors

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Work interruptions

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EVALOG

  • Precisions of Stressors
    • What is the concrete condition behind this stressor?
      • People (colleagues, customers...)
      • Communication (mobile phone, mail, ...)
      • Technical problems (machines, ...)
      • Other interruptions...

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Methods & Instrument

    • KFZA online – Short Questionnaire of Working Analysis
    • ABS – Working Evaluation Scale (Workshop, Group Interview)
    • Individual Interview – EVALOG
    • Other instruments

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CHEF CHECKLISTS

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  • CHEF Checklists by G. Richet & colleagues
  • 4 Lists named by their “short term consequences”:
    • Stress
    • Mental Fatigue
    • Monotony
    • Mental Satiation
  • Each 10 questions based on working conditions
  • Each 6 further questions based on personal performance & behavior
  • CHEF checklists for interviews or group discussions

CHEF CHECKLISTS

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Measures

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Measures based on working conditions

Target: Reduction of the causes of incorrect stresses.

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Examples:

        • Floristry business: work content of the apprentice
        • Measures: especially in COVID-19 times?
        • Home office / mobile office / Flexitime / design of shift schedules / team compositions
        • Work equipment: laptop, headset, camera, software: webinars...

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Measures based on working conditions

Target: Reduction of the causes of incorrect stresses.

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Examples:

        • Cooperation/knowledge transfer: platforms.....?
        • Create undisturbed working hours
        • Minimise sources of interference
        • Create a shift plan according to scientific findings
        • "Job enlargement (e.g. similar tasks - horizontal expansion)
        • “Job enrichment" (e.g. organisational tasks - vertical expansion = holistic tasks) ...

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Measures based on individual level

Target: Reduction of the consequences of stressors

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Examples:

        • Psychological consequences of misuse - examples:
        • Person-related support services such as psychotherapy etc.
        • Offers such as "person-related stress management
        • Health promotion, fitness/sport

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Characteristics of Good Work by Eberhard Ulich

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    • Holistic Approach
      • Preparatory, implementing, controlling and organizing activities - Work progress is visible
    • Diversity of Requirements
      • Different requirements to be handled with different skills, knowledge… - one-sided strains are avoided
    • Opportunities for social interaction
      • Reciprocal support – difficulties can be mastered together
    • Autonomy
      • Possibilities for decision making – strengthening of self-esteem through taking on responsibility

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    • Learning and Development Opportunities
      • Use & expand professional qualifications – mental flexibility is improved
    • Time Elasticity & Stress-free Controllability
      • Makes it possible to determine one´s own pace of work – reduces stress
    • Sense of Purpose
      • Benefit - satisfaction

Characteristics of Good Work by Eberhard Ulich

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Effects of positive work by Semmer & Udris

    • Activity and competence
    • Time structuring
    • Cooperation and contact
    • Social recognition
    • Personal identity

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Documentation & Effectiveness Monitoring

On the basis of previously defined parameters

  • Repetition of the measurement procedure with additional assessment per measure:
    • "implemented?" .... yes/ no/ not known
    • "helpful"?
  • Compare key figures, specific to each measure
    • e.g. number of interruptions due to telephone service reduced...
  • Externally moderated measures workshop
    • Measures assessed in workshop according to implementation & effectiveness (traffic light)
  • Inspection and discussions with the responsible contact person(s)
  • Internal discussion within the team

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Support & List of Resources

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Support & List of Resources

Support by AUVA

    • www.auva.at/publikationen
      • Evaluation booklets "EVALOG" E 24 (Download via eval.at/evalog)
      • "ABS Group" Evaluation Booklet E14
      • ABS Group Moderation Set (request by mail psy.eval@auva.at)
      • M030 "Workers' Protection Law, commented on"

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Support & List of Resources

Support by AUVA

    • www.auva.at/arbeitspsychologie under media
      • M030 "Workers' Protection Law, commented on"
      • Folder on "Evaluation of work-related psychosocial risks" (in German)
    • www.eval.at
      • KFZA online & download option
      • Short films

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Support by AUVA

    • www.auva.at/sicherheitsschulung
      • Seminars & Webinars
    • Free counselling by the occupational psychologists of the regional offices
    • Contact: Barbara.Huber@auva.at

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Support & List of Resources

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Further Resources

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Thanks

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