Measuring work-related psychosocial and physical risk factors using workplace observations: a validation study of the “Healthy Workplace Screening”

- The observer-based screening tool, Healthy Workplace Screening (SGA), is proposed.
- The SGA represents an efficient, low-threshold tool for workplace risk assessment.
- It allows a combined measurement of both psychosocial and physical risk factors.
- SGA risk profiles are predictive for musculoskeletal pain and mental health.
- SGA serves as an important complement to widely-used subjective measures.

Occupational health research has demonstrated that work-related risk factors affect employees' physical and mental health, performance and ability to work. In order to design healthy workplaces, a valid and comprehensive assessment of potential work-related risk factors is needed. Currently, observation-based methods are scarce, even though they would provide a meaningful complement to self-report instruments. The present study aimed at validating an observational interview, the “Healthy Workplace Screening” (Screening Gesundes Arbeiten, SGA), which measures work-related psychosocial and physical risk factors. We collected a sample of 641 SGA profiles representing various jobs and occupational settings to test construct and criterion validity. Results regarding construct validity showed medium-sized correlations with the stressor subscales of an established self-report job analysis instrument (SQUAW). Providing support for the criterion validity, jobs with varying risk profiles in SGA dimensions significantly differed with regard to mental health and musculoskeletal complaints. In sum, the SGA can be recommended as a valid and efficient observation-based instrument to identify critical work-related risk factors. Together with its suggestions for work design, it can serve as an easy to apply tool for workplace health promotion.