Psychosocial Risk

Assessments
Guide for labour inspectors
With support from
the European Union
The Committee of Senior Labour Inspectors (SLIC)
www.av.se/SLIC2012
Selection of inspection method
Several inspection methods are presented below. Depending on legislation and the
available resources it is recommended to choose one or more of these methods.
Dialogue with the employer
A dialogue with the employer alone will take place in cases when there is no work-
ers representative. This dialogue will only show the employers opinion on the work-
ing conditions. A dialogue with other employees, separately or in a group, is recom-
mended. The inspection might be performed together with the employer and several
employees. The employer should ensure that the employee feels free to speak about
his or her situation. Estimated duration: approximately 2 hours.
Dialogue with employer and a workers representative
The inspection should include the following participants: an individual who is rep-
resenting the employees and the employer who is responsible for the activities at the
workplace. Estimated duration: approximately 2 hours.

Interviews with individual employees
According to the Member States legislation, this method might be used in addition
to the dialogue with the employer and the workers representative. The duration
depends on the number of interviews and the number of questions.
Group conversation with employees
A group conversation has to be organised so that it is convenient for the employees
and the employer. This can be organised at the same time as the inspection or during
a separate preparatory meeting with the employer and the workers representative.
The size of the group is recommended to be 68 employees belonging to a
homogenous group. The selection of participants is carried out by the employer and,
Before the inspection
Worksites are to be selected within the following sectors:
The health sector, incl. social care (private and public).
The service sector, e.g. hotels and restaurants.
The transport sector.
if possible, the workers representative. Participants might also be selected so that
the employer selects 50 per cent of the participants and the workers representative
selects 50 per cent of the participants.
After the group conversation the inspector will then have a discussion with the
employer and the workers representative in order to receive additional informa-
tion and account for a preliminary assessment. Estimated duration: approximately 2
hours for the group conversation and 2 hours for the final meeting with the employer
and the workers representative.
It is recommended that the inspection is carried out by two labour
inspectors one person to lead the conversation and the other person to
take notes.
Questionnaire
Questions about the psychosocial conditions at the workplace are given to the
employees. They might be sent in advance or handed out during the inspection. The
compilation of data and the analysis of the results are reported to the employer and
the workers representative.
Observations at the worksite
Observations take place during a tour of the workplace with the purpose of observ-
ing the physical conditions that might influence the psychosocial working conditions.
This method is used in addition to the discussion with the employer and the workers
representative.
Planning the inspection time reservation
Reservation of time for the inspection might be made via letter to the employer or via
telephone. It is up to the employer to plan for the inspection and participate during
the inspection. Accordingly, it is important that the inspector gives the employer an
agenda for the inspection, this should include the purpose, duration, participants and
choice of inspection method.
An alert letter and brochure are sent to the employer. These are prepa-
ratory background documents for the employer to look at before the
inspection.

Performance of the inspection
According to the European Union Directive 89/391/EEC on safety and health of
workers at work (the Framework Directive) the employer has a duty to ensure the
safety and health of workers in every aspect related to work, including psychosocial
risks. The basis for the inspection is how psychosocial risks are included in the risk
assessments.
The alert letter, brochure and any other information material must be
present at the inspection.
It is not about checking the level of stress in the organisation. A psychosocial working
environment should not be confused with employees individual lifestyle problems.
Link to a self-evaluation tool for the employer, available via the website.
The inspection has to be designed to
include the following questions:
Has the employer made a risk assessment on psychosocial
risks?
The employer has to investigate the psychosocial working environment and assess
and document any risks that are discovered.
What psychosocial risks have been considered?
Risk sources relevant for the workplace will be assessed. It is important for the
inspector to receive information about the working conditions in order to judge if the
risk assessment covers the risks present at the workplace.
How did the employer make the risk assessment
(who participated)?
Risk assessment is to be made in a systematic way. It has to be planned in advance
and performed in cooperation with employees. How have the risks been identified
and how have they been evaluated? Have checklists or other methods been used?
Employees are not always aware of their stress and willing to talk about their prob-
lems. Investigations should be based not only on the experiences of the individual
employee but also on objective descriptions of the working conditions.
If there is lack of knowledge within the organisation an external expert need to
be engaged.
What actions have been taken after the risk assessment?
When the risks have been assessed, an action plan will be established. Measures to
prevent and diminish the risks might be needed on different levels of the organisa-
tion. First, organisational measures are to be taken. Second, collective and individual
measures might be considered.
Inspection tools for psychosocial risks:
Guidance the inspection of psychosocial risks at work
Work aid/interview guidelines
Checklist Hazard: Stress at work
Guidance tool for hospitals
Guidance tool for hotels and restaurants
Guidance tool for the transport of goods
Questionnaire
After the inspection
The inspector finalises the inspection procedure and reports to the national project
leader according to the template of the campaign.

Information about psychosocial risks
www.osha.europa.eu/publications/factsheets
No. 8 Stress at work
No. 22 Work-related stress
No. 24 Violence at work
No. 31 Practical advice for workers on tackling work-related stress
No. 32 How to tackle psychosocial issues and reduce work-related
stress and its causes
No. 74 Expert forecast on emerging psychosocial risks related to occupa
tional safety and health
No. 79 Protecting workers in hotels, restaurants and catering
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