Every organization is required to draw up a Risk Inventory and Evaluation (RI&E). This allows you to identify the risks your employees face, so that you can take targeted measures. However, an RI&E is no longer just about physical safety, such as slippery floors or unsafe machines; psychosocial workload (PSW) is also an important part of it. Think of work pressure, stress, bullying, or aggression in the workplace. These kinds of problems can have a huge impact on employees and on the organization.
What is PSA and why is it so important?
PSA stands for psychosocial workload and revolves around mental and emotional stress at work. Excessive psychosocial workload can have many causes: too much work, a poor working atmosphere, bullying by colleagues, or even sexual harassment. According to the Inspectorate SZW, PSA is one of the biggest causes of work-related absenteeism in the Netherlands. This makes tackling PSA not only a legal obligation, but also a smart investment. If you understand what is going on and take measures, you can often prevent problems. This not only results in satisfied employees, but also a smoothly running organization.
How does the Occupational and Organizational Expert assist at PSA?
The Occupational Health and Safety Specialist is an expert who knows exactly how to create a healthy and safe working environment. At PSA, this specialist focuses primarily on identifying risks, devising practical solutions, and helping organizations to actually implement these solutions.
Identifying risks
The first step is always to identify the risks. This can be done using various methods: surveys, interviews with employees, absenteeism figures, or observations in the workplace. For example: is there a high workload? Do employees feel safe? Or is there any inappropriate behavior? By picking up on these signals, you can take targeted action.
Creating awareness
Another important aspect is awareness. Many organizations are unsure about what PSA actually is or think that it only occurs 'in other people's organizations'. This is where occupational and organizational experts can really make a difference, for example by organizing group sessions where managers and employees can discuss their energy levels and sources of stress. This helps to make PSA discussable and break the taboo surrounding topics such as work stress or inappropriate behavior.
Why this is so important
The PSA approach is not only good for employees, but also for the organization as a whole. If you ignore problems such as excessive perceived work pressure or a poor atmosphere, it will always cost more in the long run. By taking PSA seriously, you create a working environment in which people feel comfortable and perform better. The Occupational and Organizational Expert is indispensable in this regard. By identifying risks, devising practical solutions, and guiding organizations through the process, they ensure that PSA does not remain a "paper tiger," but is actually addressed. This not only makes the workplace healthier, but ultimately strengthens the entire organization.
Seek advice from PDG Health Services
Would you like to start reducing PSA in your workplace? Then call in PDG Health Services. Our occupational and organizational experts specialize in tackling PSA, which will yield major benefits for your organization. Feel free to contact us to find out what the possibilities are for your organization.
