New measures on occupational hazards in Spain: technical criterion 104/2021

The technical criterion 104/2021 arises from European regulations on occupational health and safety.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression and anxiety are growing global health problems, affecting more and more people around the world. In fact, 300 million people worldwide suffer from depression, while 260 million have anxiety disorders that go beyond nervousness. It is estimated that anxiety disorders are the most common psychological disorders in the European Union, with a prevalence of 14% of the population per year.

The figures are clear: anxiety and stress are a serious problem in today's society. As human beings spend up to 9 hours a day in the work environment, it is impossible not to link the two phenomena.It is impossible not to link the two 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 by their workload, almost 30% suffer from anxiety about the relationship with their bosses or colleagues and 1 out of 4 is afraid of not meeting expectations.

In the area of occupational hazards, almost all workers take courses that teach them about the possible fractures, injuries or systemic damage that can occur when lifting a heavy load or maintaining a posture for too long and how to avoid them. In any case, emotional health in the workplace has been largely forgotten, until now. Learn with us about the new measures that the government is going to take in terms of occupational hazards.In this case, stress and anxiety are the protagonists.

The technical criterion 104/2021, on labor and social security inspection actions on psychosocial risks.

The catalyst for this criterion was the European Commission Communication of January 10, 2017 on "Safer and healthier work for all - Modernizing EU occupational health and safety legislation and policies".

That communication placed particular emphasis on the fact that. psychosocial risks in the work environment, especially stress, pose one of the most complex (and increasing) occupational health problems. (and on the increase). We should not forget that up to 60% of people report suffering from stress in this area, a much higher burden than for most physical injuries.

This standard puts an idea as clear as necessary in mind: employers have a legal obligation to protect employees from all harmful sources in the work environment, and this also includes psychosocial protection. Therefore, when assessing potential occupational hazards in an environment, the emotional well-being of the worker must also be taken into account: not just that he or she doesn't break a leg doing physical work, but the psychological damage that doing exactly the same activity for 20 years can generate.

To exemplify a little of what is currently being proposed, here is a summary of some of the key tables in the document, which addresses the possible psychosocial factors in the work environment and the risks arising from their mismanagement:

• Content and characteristics of the work: avoid monotony, meaningless tasks, fragmentation of tasks, lack of variety and the performance of unpleasant or unpleasant activities.
• Workload and pace of work: avoid too much or not enough work, time pressure or too strict deadlines.
• Working time: avoid long or unpredictable working hours, shift work, long night shifts or work that continues outside the company.
• Participation and control: avoid worker exclusion in decision making and lack of autonomy over the work.
• Organizational culture: prevent poor communication, insufficient support in the face of problems and avoid the lack of individual fulfillment of the worker.
• Environment: make inadequate equipment and environments available to the worker, among other things.

We could go on listing more fronts, linked to personal relationships, the role of the organization, the development of individual potential and many other things. In any case, one idea is clear to us: the evaluation of occupational risks will now take into account possible stressors at the emotional level, such as lack of cohesion in the workplace, lack of cohesion in the organization, and so on.The assessment of occupational risks will now take into account possible emotional stressors, such as lack of cohesion in activities, unpredictable schedules, unproductive tasks, lack of autonomy and many other things.

Beyond well-being as a worker

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

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

In other words, the reflection of all social strata and cultures is necessary in the work environment, as this is the only way to avoid exclusion, harassment and abuse. Education is not enough, as representation is also necessary to achieve integration. representation is also necessary to achieve the integration of the multiculturalism that defines us as a species in all areas..

One more step towards mental health

Beyond legislation at the European level, it is worth noting that, in 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) included Burnout syndrome in its International Classification of Diseases, 11th edition. This syndrome is considered to be an occupational phenomenon, characterized by 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, this is undoubtedly a big step towards validating poor treatment in the workplace as a source of emotional distress that goes beyond the moment. Undoubtedly, society is moving (little by little) towards a labor regularization that takes into account the emotions of employees.

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

At 360º Psychology we have prepared a program for companies that measures the level of stress and anxiety of workers, and we also offer therapy services and psychological assistance for individuals and organizations in the online modality. If you want to know more about how we work, please contact us.