ISO 45003 focuses on psychological health and safety in the workplace, offering guidelines for managing psychosocial risks as part of an occupational health and safety (OH&S) management system. The standard builds on ISO 45001, aiming to prevent work-related injury and ill health while fostering well-being at work.

ISO 45003:2021, titled Occupational health and safety management — Psychological health and safety at work — Guidelines for managing psychosocial risks, was developed by the Technical Committee ISO/TC 283 and published in June 2021. It provides a framework for identifying, assessing, and managing psychosocial risks, including factors related to work organization, social dynamics, and the work environment. Psychosocial hazards, such as high workloads, lack of support, or unclear roles, can affect both mental and physical health and may lead to conditions like anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular disease. The standard emphasizes that psychosocial risks should be managed consistently with other OH&S risks and integrated into the organization’s broader business processes. It is applicable to organizations of all sizes and sectors, stressing the importance of worker participation and top management commitment in creating safer and healthier workplaces.

The standard aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), contributing to:

• Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
• Goal 5: Gender Equality
• Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
• Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

ISO 45003:2021 also highlights that psychosocial hazards can occur alongside other workplace hazards, influencing and being influenced by them. It provides examples of psychosocial hazards, such as those arising from the way work is organized, social factors at work, and hazardous tasks or environments. Effective management of psychosocial risks requires collaboration across all organizational levels and functions, particularly with support from top management. Key elements of the guidance include raising awareness, building competence, supporting recovery and return to work for affected employees, and planning for emergency situations.

Key benefits of implementing ISO 45003:2021 include enhanced employee well-being, improved job satisfaction, increased productivity, and reduced costs associated with absenteeism, turnover, workplace investigations, and litigation. It provides actionable guidance for eliminating hazards and minimizing risks, fostering a positive work environment, and integrating psychological safety into the overall OH&S management system. Organizations also gain economic and reputational advantages by addressing psychosocial risks effectively.

For more details, visit the ISO 45003 official page.