New measures in occupational risks in Spain: technical criterion 104/2021

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression and anxiety are growing global health problems, affecting more and more people around the globe. Without going any further, 300 million people in the world suffer from depressive conditions, while 260 million have anxiety disorders that go beyond nervousness. Anxiety disorders are estimated to be the most common psychological conditions in the European Union, with a prevalence of 14% of the inhabitants per year.

The figures are clear: anxiety and stress are a serious problem in today's society. What human beings spend up to 9 hours a day in the workplace, it is impossible not to link both fronts in common clinical pictures. Based on this premise, the General Council of Psychology of Spain indicates that 6 out of 10 Spanish workers feel stressed Due to the workload, almost 30% suffer from anxiety about the relationship with their bosses or colleagues and 1 in 4 is afraid of not complying expectations.

In the area of ​​occupational hazards, almost all workers take courses that teach what are possible fractures, injuries or systemic damage that can occur when lifting a large load or holding a posture for too long and how avoid them. In any case, emotional health in the work environment has been largely neglected, until now.

Learn with us about the new measures that the government is going to take in matters of occupational hazards, because in this case, stress and anxiety are the protagonists.

• Related article: "Burnout (Burning Syndrome): How to detect it and take action"

Technical criterion 104/2021, on actions of the labor inspection and social security in psychosocial risks

The catalyst for this criterion was the Communication of the European Commission of January 10, 2017 on "Work more safe and healthy for all - Modernization of EU health and safety legislation and policies in the job".

Said communication emphasized that psychosocial risks in the work environment, especially stress, represent one of the most complex occupational health problems (and they are on the rise). We do not forget that up to 60% of people say they suffer from stress in this area, a much higher burden than that of most physical injuries.

This statement puts an idea as clear as it is necessary in mind: employers have a legal obligation to protect employees from any harmful sources in the work environment, and this also includes protecting psychosocial. Therefore, when evaluating possible occupational risks in an environment, the emotional well-being of the worker must also be taken into account: not only that does not break a leg when doing physical work, but the psychological damage that can be caused by doing exactly the same activity for 20 years.

To illustrate a bit what is currently being proposed, We summarize some of the key tables of the document, which addresses the possible psychosocial factors in the work environment and the risks derived from its mismanagement:

• Content and characteristics of the work: monotony should be avoided, carrying out meaningless tasks, Task fragmentation, lack of variety, and engaging in unpleasant or provocative activities rejection.
• Workload and rhythm of work: avoid that this is too much or insufficient, the pressure of the times or the too strict deadlines.
• Working time: avoid very long or unpredictable hours, shift work, long night hours or that work activity continues outside the company.
• Participation and control: prevent the worker from being excluded in decision-making and the lack of autonomy over the work.
• Organizational culture: prevent poor communication, insufficient support for problems and avoid the lack of individual fulfillment of the worker.
• Environment: make inappropriate equipment and environments available to the worker, among other things.

We could continue listing more fronts, linked to personal relationships, the role of the organization, the development of individual potential and many other things. Anyway, one idea is clear to us: the occupational risk assessment will now take into account potential stressors on an emotional level, such as lack of cohesion in activities, unpredictable schedules, useless tasks, lack of autonomy and many other things.

• You may be interested in: "Work stress: causes, and how to combat it"

Beyond well-being as a worker

In addition to all the aforementioned, this technical criterion highlights another reality that we cannot forget: diversity is essential in the workplace. The data, unfortunately, support this statement: according to studies carried out in several EU countries, the 55% of women have been victims of sexual harassment on at least one occasion from the age of 15 age. Of all the reported cases, 32% occur in the work environment.

It may not surprise you, but 60% of workplace harassment cases are carried out by the boss or superior, almost always acting individually. Therefore, this criterion shows that it is also necessary to evaluate occupational risks from a plural perspective, in order to protect women, young workers, migrant people, older people at risk of exclusion or people with disabilities, among other things.

In other words, the reflection of all social strata and cultures is necessary in the work environment, because only in this way will exclusions, humiliations and abuses be avoided. It is not worth with education, since also representation is necessary to achieve the integration of multiculturalism that defines us as a species in all areas.

One more step towards mental health

Beyond the laws at the European level, it should be noted that, in 2018, the World Organization Health (WHO) included the Burnout syndrome in its International Classification of Diseases, 11th edition. This syndrome is considered an occupational phenomenon, characterized by the tiredness, fatigue, negativity and cynicism associated with the work environment when stress is prolonged over time in the worker's life.

Although this set of sensations and feelings is not considered a pathology today, without a doubt this is a great step to validate mistreatment in the workplace as a source of emotional distress that goes beyond the moment. Without any doubt, society is moving (little by little) towards a labor regulation that takes into account the emotions of the employees.

Do you need to adapt your company to the new regulations?

On Psychology 360 we have prepared a program for companies that measures the level of stress and anxiety of workers, and also we offer therapy and psychological assistance services for individuals and organizations in the modality on-line. If you want to know more about how we work, get in touch with us.