Dr. Eusebio Rial GonzálezHead of the European Risk Observatory

European developments on European developments on psychosocial risks at work: psychosocial risks at work:

An overview

Rome, 5 November 2008

Overview

The European Agency and its European Risk Observatory

Work-related stress as an emerging risk broad consensus EU-27

It’s going to get worse: “changing world of work”

Future trends: challenges for OSHWhat do we do next?

Aim of the Agency

“In order to improve the working environment, (…) the aim of the Agency shall be to provide (…) technical, scientific and economic information of use in the field of safety and health at work.”

Tripartite Governing Board, with all 27 Member States represented + EC

European Agency for Safety and Health at Work

A network agency: Focal Points

EU Focal Points

EEA/EFTAFocal Points

Candidate & Potential Candidate Countries

Eurofound

Eurostat

Global network of the Agency

IOSH

European AgencyPartner International OrganisationsPartner countriesUnder discussion

BRAZIL

AUSTRALIA

CANADA

USA PAHO

AGENCYICOH

IOHA UEMS

ILO

ISSA

RUSSIA

KOREA

JAPAN

IOSH

1936

Psychosocial issues: “new” risks…?

European Risk Observatory: “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

“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)

European Risk Observatory: “New and emerging risks”

Growing importance of psychosocial risks

Community strategy for OSH (2002-2006): “The increase in psycho-social problems and illnesses is posing a new challenge to health and safety at work (…). The various forms of psychological harassment and violence at work likewise pose a special problem nowadays”

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.”

Stress: a top OSH priority

Consistently identified as one of the 2-3 top priorities by all MS

The ‘changing world of work’ is likely to lead to increased exposure to psychosocial hazards, and therefore to increasing occupational and work-related diseases

Preparing for a changing world of work

Changes in society and workplaces that affect occupational safety and health, e.g.: Rapid technological developments Globalisation

But it’s not just the workplace that is changing:

Adapting to a changing workforce

Europe’s ageing workforce 30% of the EU27 population to be aged 65 or

more in 2060 compared to 17% in 2008 Women in the workforce

Traditionally overlooked and under-researched working population; focus on accidents (vs. diseases) in-built gender bias

Migrant workers Account for nearly 80% of population growth Concentrated in high-risk sectors Over-represented in hazardous jobs

Natural change and net migration plus adjustments in the EU-27

EUROSTAT 2008

Population pyramids EU-27 2008 and 2060 (EUROSTAT 2008)

Natural change and net migration, EU-27 2010 - 2060

EUROSTAT 2008

Employment trends in the main subsections of EU-27 Services and Industry, 1998 to 2007

EUROSTAT, STS 2008

Trends: then and now

Emerging psychosocial risks related to OSH:expert forecast

The main emerging psychosocial risks identified were related to five areas: 1. New forms of employment contracts and

job insecurity2. The OSH risks for the ageing workforce3. Work intensification - high workload and

work pressure4. High emotional demands at work,

violence and bullying5. Poor work-life balance

Workplace and broader issues

Some of the ultimate causes of (and solutions to) stress at work lie outside the immediate workplace

The interaction of working and private life causes and effects make joined-up policies essential OSH, public health, employment, equal

opportunities, research…

Overall trend: a fragmented future

Fragmented working lives, workplaces and workforces

• Large impact on occupational health and public health

Overall trend: a fragmented future

Fragmented working lives, workplaces and workforces

Longer working life (>65), but no longer a job for life A challenge for effective health surveillance

risk of weaker evidence base of harm to worker health

Working beyond 65 effects of work-related diseases become more apparent

Overall trend: a fragmented future

Fragmented working lives, workplaces and workforces

Multiple worksites Teleworking Global workplace ICT: 24/7 availability, workhome spillover

How do we maintain effective prevention?

Overall trend: a fragmented future

Fragmented working lives, workplaces and workforces

Diversity: more women, migrants, older workers, workers with disabilities and chronic illnesses New risks, and old risks in new guises How do we help enterprises to manage this

increased complexity to ensure a healthy workplace for all?

The challenge for OSH & psychosocial issues

Fragmented future that needs concerted action from the OSH community (& beyond) researchers, practitioners, policy-makers…

Economic crisis: the temptation of short-term savings that cause long-term costs prevention often has immediate & visible costs,

and only long-term & less tangible (or unmeasured) benefits

we need new metrics of OSH success Demonstrate that a good psychosocial work

environment is a decisive factor for quality, creativity, innovation, competitiveness…

What do we do next?

If psychosocial risk management is so good, why isn’t everybody doing it?

“Change we can believe in” and “tax cuts for the middle classes”

Better practical tools Better persuasion tools

Ethical Legal Business argument (“marketing”): CBA, impact

assessment, cost of “non-quality”

PRIMA-EF: “all of the above”

Develop existing knowledge reviewing available methodologies to evaluate the

prevalence and impact of psychosocial risks at work   Develop international standards and indicators

promote harmonisation in the area of psychosocial risk management and enhance best business practice

Develop detailed recommendations and evidence-based best-practice guidance promote clarity and a unified European approach

that will enable stakeholders to put these in practice to improve the quality of working life

Disseminate the results of the project to stakeholders and social partners raise awareness and promote understanding,

engagement and best practice

What’s going on?: European survey of enterprises

Covering all 27 Member States (+) Enterprises (>10 employees) in both public and

private sectors Interviewing managers and staff representatives How do enterprises actually manage OSH &

psychosocial risks? What are the drivers for action? Barriers? What are their information needs? How can they be supported to take better

preventive action? RESULTS: Mid-2009

Thank you for your attention

Eusebio Rial González

European Agency for Safety and Health at Work

rial@osha.europa.eu

http://osha.europa.eu

http://riskobservatory.osha.europa.eu