Our minds are constantly processing information, analysing situations, and making decisions. But what happens when cognitive demands at work become overwhelming? The mental effort required to perform tasks – known as mental workload – can significantly impact both our well-being and performance.
To help those responsible for designing workplaces, ISO has updated the international standard EN ISO 10075-2 ‘Ergonomic principles related to mental workload – design principles’. This revised standard provides guidance on structuring work systems, tasks, equipment, and environments to better account for mental workload. Recognizing the need to address the evolving challenges of modern work, the update incorporates new social, organizational, and technological factors.
The ETUC played a key role in the revision of the standard, contributing to a more practical, structure-oriented approach that emphasizes social interaction and interactive labour, exemplified by professions like nursing. The updated standard also addresses risks associated with human-machine interaction, promoting greater transparency and safer design in the context of robotics and AI. The standard was refined to clarify roles within complex work structures, helping to mitigate potential challenges linked to agile working. Finally, it was clearly acknowledged that legal provisions must be considered when organizing working hours.
EN ISO 10075-2 is used in several countries to help prevent psycho-social risks at work, especially in the absence of specific legislation. While the ETUC’s primary objective remains the adoption of dedicated EU legislation, their contributions to the standard’s revision and update ensure it aligns with the trade union perspective.
