What Is PRisMA 2024? A Simple Guide to Workplace Psychosocial Risk Assessment

If you're an employer or HR professional in Malaysia, you've probably heard the term PRisMA 2024 floating around in safety meetings or DOSH communications. But what does it actually mean, and what do you need to do about it?

Let me explain it in plain language — no jargon, no legalese.

PRisMA stands for Psychosocial Risk Assessment and Management at the Workplace

PRisMA 2024 is an official guideline published by DOSH (the Department of Occupational Safety and Health, Malaysia). It gives employers a clear, step-by-step framework for identifying and managing psychosocial risks in their workplace.

Think of psychosocial risks as the invisible hazards at work — things like excessive workload, lack of job control, poor management support, bullying, or unclear roles. Unlike a chemical spill or a noisy machine, you can't see these hazards. But they cause real, measurable harm: burnout, anxiety, depression, high turnover, and reduced productivity.

Is this mandatory?

Yes. Under the Occupational Safety and Health (Amendment) Act 2022, employers in Malaysia have a statutory duty to protect the mental health and wellbeing of their employees. PRisMA 2024 is the recognised framework for meeting that legal obligation.

This isn't a suggestion or a nice-to-have. It's law. And DOSH is increasingly auditing employers on psychosocial compliance.

How does the assessment work?

The PRisMA 2024 process follows a structured path. Here's how it works in practice:

Step 1: The LEO26 survey

All employees in identified work units complete the LEO26 questionnaire — a validated screening tool that measures three key domains: Job Control (how much autonomy employees have), Work Demand (how much pressure they face), and Job Support (how supported they feel by managers and colleagues).

Step 2: Data analysis

Individual scores are calculated and aggregated by work unit. Each unit is classified into a risk category. This tells you which parts of your organisation are at risk — and how severely.

Step 3: EPC23 (for high-risk units)

If a work unit is identified as high-risk, the EPC23 Employer Practice Checklist is completed. This evaluates what the employer is currently doing (or not doing) to manage psychosocial hazards. It identifies specific gaps — for example, whether there's a grievance mechanism, whether workload is reviewed, or whether managers are trained in mental health.

Step 4: PRiMA action plan

Based on the findings, a Psychosocial Risk Management Plan of Actions (PRiMA) is developed. This is a practical document with specific, prioritised interventions — not a vague wellness poster on the wall. Real changes, real timelines, real accountability.

Who conducts the assessment?

PRisMA assessments must be conducted by a Psychosocial Trained Person (PTP) — someone who has been trained and certified by DOSH to carry out the assessment process. Not every safety officer or HR manager can do this — it requires specific certification.

Ideally, your PTP should also have a clinical background in occupational health, so they can interpret the results in context and make medically informed recommendations. That's where an Occupational Health Doctor who is also a certified PTP — like myself — adds the most value.

What does this mean for your organisation?

If you haven't done a psychosocial risk assessment yet, now is the time. DOSH is actively promoting PRisMA 2024 across all industries, and compliance audits are becoming more common. Beyond the legal requirement, there's a strong business case: organisations that actively manage psychosocial risks see lower absenteeism, better employee retention, and higher productivity.

The process isn't as disruptive as you might think. The LEO26 survey takes about 15–20 minutes per employee. The analysis and reporting are handled by the PTP. And the resulting action plan gives you a clear roadmap — not more confusion.

Dr. Kirath Sidhu (Dr. Harkirath Singh Harbans Singh) is a registered Occupational Health Doctor and certified Psychosocial Trained Person (PTP). He provides PRisMA 2024 assessments for employers across Penang and Malaysia through ASP Medical Group.