On Tuesday 20th October, trade unionists from across the country joined academics, public sector leaders and employer representatives to consider the growing issue of psychosocial risk in workplaces.
The event took place during EU Safety week and was organized by the Congress Health and Safety Committee chaired by CWU Official Pat Kenny.
Speakers included Dr Richard Wynne, Professor Rory O’Neill, Dr Elizabeth Barrett and Congress General Secretary Owen Reidy.
Welcoming delegates, Committee member Karen Eccles (INMO) said
Global and national data on the hazards associated with psychosocial risks in the workplace is already clear and incontrovertible; we need no further evidence of psychosocial hazards we must now move decisively towards targeted action in all workplaces to address this very real issue at an organisation level.
This conference marks the beginning of a three year campaign by Congress Health and Safety Committee. By the end of the three years, we are determined that tackling PSR in our workplaces will be at the top of employers, unions and the government’s agenda.
We have very specific aims for this campaign:
Promoting an understanding of the risk to workers health of psychosocial hazards. But this understanding must result in concrete action. We know that we can take practical steps and that everyone has a responsibility.
- In this regard, we will fully support and campaign for a European Directive on psychosocial risk in the workplace. In doing this, we will join with our colleagues in the ETUC who are leading on this campaign.
- We will also lobby for changes at national level to the Safety Health and Welfare at work Act to specifically include reference to PSR in the identification of workplace hazards.
- We also want to see our Statutory Agency take a lead role in pushing this agenda. We would congratulate the HSA on organising a conference on this topic next month but this must go further. We want to see the establishment of a specific PSR advisory committee to HSA board with joint union/employer participation.
- We also want to see the Development & adoption of a Code of Practice for PSR in the Workplace and stand ready to play a part in developing this.
Summing up the proceedings, Congress General Secretary Owen Reidy set a challenge for the Irish Government
The Irish Government has an opportunity to consider this issue as part of the priorities afforded by the Presidency but there is urgency. Ireland already lags behind European peers in terms of how PSR is reflected in our legislation. The Irish Government must urgently engage with unions and employers to tackle this growing issue and to advocate for an EU Directive on Psychosocial Risk.
Presentations and recordings from the Conference:
Professor Rory O’Neill recording
Professor Rory O’Neill presentation
