Assessing critical incident supports aims to provide a structured approach to examine initiatives for handling psychosocial hazards pertaining to critical incidents and the support available to employees to help them cope if they are exposed to a critical incident (as far as reasonably practicable), through primary, secondary and tertiary interventions. The information obtained from this review, along with information from the Prepare and Measure stages will inform the development of an action plan for risk reduction of critical incident stress.

The interventions below specify key elements for managing critical incident stress and provide a consultative checklist for assessing current practices and resources available within the psychological support system. 

What are primary, secondary and tertiary interventions?

These are the main types of stress management interventions used in organisations:

• Primary prevention: Focuses on hazard reduction and stress prevention activity ‘at source’, in order to prevent stressors developing. It usually involves addressing various work-related hazards within systems of work which are known to be potential sources of psychosocial harm (e.g. changes to organisational culture, workload, job redesign)

• Secondary prevention: Focuses on prevention activity and risk reduction for employees by minimising the adverse effects of a hazard. It includes training for the job, training in general aspects of health and safety, training in coping strategies and support offered through the provision of adequate management of the social and technical aspects of an employee’s working life (i.e. identifying and assisting employees exhibiting the early warning signs of stress and providing employee assistance programs). This good management practice has a role both in preventing stress and helping stressed employees to recover

• Tertiary prevention: Focuses on the provision of staff supports such as counselling, Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), occupational health or outsourced support services in order to assist employees who feel a need for extra support as a result of psychosocial distress, injury or illness. It includes the treatment of the identified condition, rehabilitation and return to work strategies.

The HSE has provided a comprehensive CISM support and response for both you and members of your team. For more information click here for CISM and your supports within the HSE. For more information on these interventions go to www.workpositive.ie/support/criticalincidentsupport.

For more information on these interventions go to www.workpositive.ie/support/criticalincidentsupport.