Guidelines on Psychosocial Risk Assessment and Management at the Workplace 2024 (PRISMA)

Mar 16
2 min read

What Is PRISMA?

The Psychosocial Risk Assessment and Management at the Workplace 2024 (PRISMA) guideline is a framework designed to help organisations manage factors that may negatively impact employees’ mental health.

Psychosocial risks arise from the way work is designed, organised, and managed. If left unaddressed, these risks can lead to workplace stress, burnout, anxiety, and reduced productivity.

PRISMA encourages organisations to adopt a proactive approach to ensure that the work environment promotes both psychological safety and employee wellbeing.

Common Psychosocial Risks in the Workplace

Several workplace conditions can contribute to psychosocial risks. Some of the most common examples include:

Excessive workload and unrealistic deadlines
Poor communication between management and employees
Lack of support from supervisors or colleagues
Workplace harassment, discrimination, or bullying
Job insecurity or unclear job roles
Long working hours and poor work-life balance

When these issues are not properly managed, they may negatively affect both employees and the overall performance of the organisation.

Why Psychosocial Risk Management Matters

Managing psychosocial risks is not only about protecting employees’ mental health—it also benefits the organisation as a whole.

Effective psychosocial risk management can lead to:

Improved employee wellbeing and job satisfaction
Higher productivity and work performance
Reduced absenteeism and staff turnover
Better teamwork and communication
A healthier and more positive workplace culture

Organisations that prioritise mental wellbeing often build stronger and more resilient teams.

Key Steps in Psychosocial Risk Assessment (PRISMA Approach)

The PRISMA guideline recommends a systematic process for managing psychosocial risks in the workplace.

1. Identify Psychosocial Hazards

The first step is identifying potential psychosocial hazards within the organisation. This can be done through employee surveys, feedback sessions, workplace observations, or incident reports.

2. Assess the Risks

Once hazards are identified, organisations should assess the likelihood and severity of these risks affecting employees’ mental health and wellbeing.

3. Implement Control Measures

After the risks are evaluated, appropriate control measures should be introduced to reduce or eliminate them. Examples include:

Improving workload management and task allocation
Providing leadership and communication training for supervisors
Implementing anti-bullying and harassment policies
Promoting flexible work arrangements and work-life balance initiatives
Offering mental health support programs or counselling services

4. Monitor and Review

Psychosocial risk management should be an ongoing process. Organisations must regularly monitor workplace conditions and review the effectiveness of implemented measures.

A healthy workplace is one where employees feel valued, respected, and supported. By implementing the PRISMA 2024 guidelines, organisations can better manage psychosocial risks and promote mental wellbeing among their workforce. Feel free to reach MASMA Safety at 013-2419000 for any enquiries related to PRISMA.