The problem

Almost 60% of Europe’s workers believe that their work adversely affects their health, due to problems that range from low-grade stress up to bullying and physical violence. Work-related stress costs the EU at least 20 billion euros per year in lost time and health bills, and accounts for over 50% of absenteeism. To address this huge problem, and bring coherence to European efforts in the field, there is a need to promote a collective approach among European experts. This would replace the more fragmented and culturally varied strategies that operate at present.

Overview:

PRIMA-EF will develop a European framework for psychosocial risk management with a special focus on work-related stress and workplace violence.

The project will:

• Review existing knowledge and available methodologies to evaluate the prevalence and impact of psychosocial risks at work and work-related stress
• Identify appropriate ways to collect sensitive data in relation to these issues
• Develop international standards and indicators on stress and violence at work
• Produce detailed recommendations and evidence-based best-practice guidelines

Contribution to policy development:

• Promotion of a collective European approach to improve workplace health and safety policies.
• A more comprehensive view that link aspects as diverse as legislation, social bargaining and corporate social responsibility.
• Evidence-based best practice standards, of special relevance to SMEs.
• Recommendations to inform future policy-making.

Project deliverables

• Analysis of international standards and indicators on stress and violence at work – April 2008
• Inventory of psychosocial risk management approaches – June 2007
• Practical intervention tools and methods – April 2008
• Recommendations and evidence-based best-practice guidance – July 2008
• PRIMA-EF Book and brochure – November 2008

Dissemination

• Project website – by November 2008
• Publications in peer-reviewed journals – as appropriate
• Contributions by consortium members to a wide variety of national and international health and safety bodies – as opportunities arise
• Dissemination workshop – October 2008

Technical information

Project acronym: PRIMA-EF
Project’s official full title: Psychosocial risk management – European framework
Research priority: The impact of environmental issues on health (including safety at work and methods for risk assessment and the mitigation of risks of natural disasters to people) 
Specific webpage: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/iwho/research/prima_home.php
Proposal/contract no: 044431
Start date: 01/12/2006
Kick off meeting: January 2007
Completion date: 30/11/2008
European Commission scientific officer: Tomas Turecki, Tomas.TURECKI@ec.europa.eu

Coordinator:
Name: University of Nottingham
Institute of Work, Health and Organisations
Abbreviated name: IWHO
Address: 8 William Lee Buildings,
Nottingham Science and Technology Park,
University Boulevard,
Nottingham, NG7 2RQ
Country: United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)115 84 675 23
Fax: +44 (0)115 84 666 25
Website: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/iwho/

Partners

Name: Federal Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
Abbreviated name: BAuA
Country: Germany

Name: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Prevention
Abbreviated name: ISPESL
Country: Italy

Name: TNO Quality of Life – Work and Employment
Abbreviated name: TNO
Country: Netherlands

Name: Central Institute for Labour Protection
Abbreviated name: CIOP
Country: Poland

Name: Finnish Institute of Occupational Health
Abbreviated name: FIOH
Country: Finland

Name: World Health Organisation
Abbreviated name: WHO
Country: Switzerland

Name: International Labour Office
Abbreviated name: ILO
Country: Switzerland