PRIMARY LEVEL INTERVENTIONS
Explanation: Primary level or organisational interventions modify or eliminate causes (or potential causes) of psychosocial risks inherent in the workplace and work environment, thus reducing their negative impact on work related stress. These interventions target the problem at source. In other words, these interventions PREVENT or reduce severity and duration of stress, burnout and mental health problems. Primary level interventions deal with the following hazards: a). How work is organised, b). Social factors at work and c). The work environment. (Clause 6.1.2.1.2 lists these hazards). Primary interventions require changes in working practices. They are targeted at organisational level, and not individual employee level. Organisational interventions require top management support and resources. Primary level interventions give the organisation the opportunity to develop positive, healthy working environments.
Goal: To reduce job stressors at their source by modifying the job or the work environment. To keep people well and assist them to flourish. Prevention of harm of psychological injury and promotion of employee wellbeing.
Examples of primary level interventions:
- Situational analysis/Gap analysis of current workplace policies, processes and practices.
- Risk assessment of how work is organised, social factors at work & the work environment.
- Analysis of key metrics such as absenteeism, use of EAP, occupational health data related to psychosocial risk, disability claims, exit interviews to determine reasons for staff turnover, etc.
Clause within the ISO 45003 Standard: 8.1.1.3
When managing psychosocial risks, a combination of the following levels of intervention can be used: a) primary interventions: organisational level controls to prevent or reduce harmful effects and promote well-being at work;