KNOW HOW / EXPLAINER
ISO 45003 – setting a new standard ISO 45003 is the first global standard providing practical guidance on managing psychological health and safety in the workplace. It helps organisations to adopt an occupational health and safety management system based on ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety. Earlier this year, EMCOR UK became the first organisation to be certified against BSI’s new scheme based on ISO 45003. Creating a better place to work was the ultimate motive behind moving to the standard, and it builds on our focus on key frameworks such as UN SDG8 (‘decent work’) and ISO 27500 (creating human-centred organisations). We believe ISO 45003 will help us to tackle these pressing challenges: ● Changing times: The pandemic has had a huge impact on mental health, the total fallout of which is yet to be ascertained; ● Ongoing disruption: Increased costs have resulted from higher absenteeism,
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reduced ability to work effectively and increased staff turnover. Mental health strategies should be more focused on identifying such causes of ill health; and importantly ● Boost engagement: Effective, preventative management mitigates the risks associated with poor mental health and enhances employee wellbeing, which will lead to improved engagement, performance and productivity.
Preparation for certification When it comes to implementation, there is no set way of obtaining ISO 45003. One option, as adopted by EMCOR, is to be certified through BSI’s framework. Whatever your chosen route, you will have to demonstrate your organisation’s commitment to mental wellbeing in the form of structures of processes already in place – structures that place mental health on a level playing field with physical health and safety. For EMCOR, this has centred on a five-year wellbeing strategy with: ● Clear objectives; ● Implementation plans; and ● Means of measuring success.
Our Mental Health sleep Charter – launched and diversity. in January 2021 – is Organisations also part of our wider should also be willing framework. It is to think outside the intended to encourage box, in that any part HAYLEY all employees to of the business could FARRELL is wellbeing openly discuss mental affect or be affected by manager at health and wellbeing mental health issues. EMCOR UK issues at work and A good example of this access the education, help and is factoring in mental health support available to them. to business continuity plans Another piece of ISO 45003 created in response to the implementation advice is to Covid-19 pandemic. adopt a sound methodology In summary, ISO 45003 such as the ‘plan, do, check, should act as part of an act’ approach. This is about organisation’s wider mental identifying gaps, planning wellbeing framework. how to fill them, enacting For EMCOR, it enabled a those plans, checking their preventative approach to mental effectiveness, and acting health whereby we can identify again if required. A key tip is root causes of problems and be not to treat this as a singular proactive as opposed to reactive activity – ‘plan, do, check, with our employees. act’ is a continuous cycle With ISO 45003 as one of improvement. of many foundational This process prompted us pillars of a mental health to adopt various initiatives strategy, employers can build through our network of workplaces that truly support wellbeing champions and the wellbeing of their people. operational wellbeing leads. Article co-authored by Jonathan These include: Gawthrop, executive director of ● Training and awareness on wellbeing sustainability & assurance, EMCOR UK mental health risks; ● Creation of mental health guides and action plans; and ● Specific support sessions on a range of topics from menopause and nutrition to
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Standard practice ISO 45003 can help employers to create an impactful mental health wellbeing strategy, says Hayley Farrell
ILLUSTRATION: ISTOCK
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ow do I recognise when a colleague is struggling with their mental health? What action can my organisation take to support them at home and in the workplace? Is the workplace environment contributing to employees’ ill mental health? Business leaders should be asking these types of questions when developing a fit-for-purpose health and wellbeing strategy. They should also rely on ISO 45003: 2021 Occupational Health and Safety Management – Psychological Health and Safety at Work – Guidelines for Managing Psychosocial Risks.
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