Mental health and safety comprises all measures aimed at identifying, minimizing and preventing psychological stress in the workplace. It is an essential part of general occupational safety and relates in particular to the analysis and improvement of working conditions in order to ensure the mental well-being of employees. The core of mental health and safety is psychological risk assessment (GBU Psyche), which systematically records and evaluates potential stress factors. Based on this, suitable and effective occupational safety measures must be introduced and regularly reviewed.
Mental health and safety is based on several legal principles. The Occupational Health and Safety Act (ArbSchG) obliges employers to assess not only physical but also psychological risks and to take appropriate measures:
In addition, the Accident prevention regulation DGUV rule 100-001 specific requirements for protection against mental hazards and determines what preventive measures should look like. Die GDA guideline (Joint German Occupational Safety Strategy) provides detailed guidance for recording and analyzing psychological stress.
The measures taken following the risk assessment must not only be implemented, but also continuously reviewed for effectiveness. Regular analyses are crucial to ensure that the measures actually contribute to reducing psychological stress and that necessary adjustments can be made.
Mental health and safety is a dynamic process in which companies have an ongoing responsibility to adapt and further develop the workplace to the mental health needs of their employees.
Mental health has a direct impact on corporate success. Mental health problems are currently in 3rd place among the Germany-wide reasons for sick leave and have the strongest growth rate. Companies lose like this 9,000 €/year and employee.
In addition to legally secure GBU Psyche also a decisive economic advantage at the push of a button thanks to reduced downtime due to individual prevention and intervention approaches and anonymous, proactive support through a unique coaching app to promote mental wellbeing.
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