The British Standards Institution (BSI) has published a good practice guidance standard to help those assessing psychosocial risk in the workplace.

It is hoped PAS 1010 (Publicly Availably Specification) Guidance on the management of psychosocial risks in the workplace will help assessors address this area of workplace health.

According to the BSI, psychosocial risks at work are a major cause of stress. Stress is one of the most common problems of the modern workplace, affecting the mental and physical well-being of over 40 million workers in the European Union each year, with costs to business being estimated at €20million.

The steering group responsible for the development of PAS 1010 included representatives of Nottingham University, the World Health Organisation, the Health and Safety Executive, the PRIMA-EF consortium, the European Commission and several other European and international occupational health and safety organisations. 

Stavroula Leka, associate professor in occupational health psychology, University of Nottingham said: "This is an exciting initiative in an area of crucial importance for the promotion of health and well-being… there is still a clear need for an official benchmark in this area. The PAS will assist organisations to implement best practice in the area of psychosocial risk assessment and management so that they can promote good health among their staff."

Evelyn Kortum, World Health Organisation (WHO) said: "The development of a standard in psychosocial risk management will provide a welcome basis for policy development in traditional and emerging risks affecting the modern workplace."