Public Consultation on the maltese framework for the control of Work Related Stress
Work related stress can be defined as the harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the job requirements do not match the capabilities, resources or needs of the worker. It is consistently being identified as a major workplace concern as it represents a huge cost in terms of both human distress and impaired economic performance. Managing stress well, can help a person to handle better the next encounter, but if poorly managed, stress can lead to physical and further psychological health problems. A person’s reaction depends on how he perceives the event - what is considered stressful by one person might not be so considered by another. Many factors influence one’s perception of events such as attitudes, skills, personality, current situation, other events or other people in one’s life.
Nowadays it has been recognised that work-related stress is the second commonest cause of work health related health problems after back pain. Up to 25% of workers across Europe complain of stress at work, while up to 50% to 60% of all working days lost may be due to stress. There are few countries which have enacted specific legislation dealing with work-related stress - for this reason a Framework Agreement on work-related stress was signed by ETUC, UCIN, UEAPME and CEEO in 2004. This agreement between the social partners’ representatives at EU level identifies explicitly what is permissible under existing EU rules, and its aimis to increase awareness and understanding of work-related stress, while providing employers and workers with a framework to identify, manage and prevent problems related to stress at work.
Building on this Framework Agreement, OHSA-Malta has developed and a Maltese framework for action to control stress at work. The aim of the document is to further increase awareness and understanding, and to provide employers and workers at workplace level with an action-oriented framework to identify and prevent or manage problems of work-related stress. It highlights that stress is an occupational risk factor and has therefore to be prevented, according to the principles and methods which underpin current ohs legislation. The document includes a template for an enterprise policy that can be adapted to take into account the particular characteristics of every enterprise.
By agreeing to this framework, the Social Partners will be signifying their intent to continue raising awareness and understanding about the extent and magnitude of the problem and to promote initiatives amongst stakeholders and duty holders. They will also be recognising the urgent need to be proactive in this field, and to promote and ensure that are taken, within the limits of each party’s statutory role and according to the specific parameters of the law, those measures required to be taken. On its part, OHSA-Malta agrees to continue taking initiatives to raise awareness about Work-related stress, and to continue its cooperation with, and to provide assistance to the Social Partners in Malta, especially by making available information and guidance on the subject of Work-related stress, its elimination or control.
The document has already been discussed and approved by the tripartite OHS Authority, and is now being issued for a wider public consultation. Any interested party may send in comments to OHSA by the 12th May 2013. Comments may be sent by email () or by postal mail (OHSA, 17, Edgar Ferro Street, Pieta PTA 1533.