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18 May 2006 - HSE Report Shows Stress in
the Workplace Still of Concern
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A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Workplace Health and Safety
Survey (WHASS) has once again highlighted Britain's worker's concerns over
stress in the workplace.
More than one fifth of Britain's workers regarded stress in the
workplace as being a potential cause of work-related ill-health.
The HSE WHASS, conducted between August and December 2005,
surveyed over 10,000 workers, focusing on the presence of risks in the workplace
and what measures could be introduced to control such risks to health.
The "Worker's Perspective" on the management of health and
safety within the UK mainly focused on the following:
Some of the key findings from the survey were as follows:
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The most widespread hazard is stress, with around a fifth of the
workforce expressing concern that stress could cause them harm.
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Lifting or carrying heavy loads, slipping or tripping and dust
or fume exposure, each representing around an estimated 9% of the working
population.
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Over half the workforce has no, or slight, health and safety
concerns.
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Respondents were asked whether various categories of health and
safety risk had increased, reduced or stayed the same over the past year, and in
most cases they believed the risks had stayed the same. Perceived reductions in
risk were generally more common than increases and this was particularly marked
for the risk of falling from height, where reduced risk responses outnumbered
increased risk responses by around 20 percentage points.
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A clear balance in favour of reduced risk was also seen for dust
and fume exposure, skin contact with chemicals and slipping or tripping. The
only risk category showing a clear balance in favour of increased risk was
stress (by around four percentage points).
Geoffrey Podger, HSE Chief Executive said:
"Stress is a major problem in British workplaces and this
survey underlines that.
"Stress can occur in any workplace and it is important that
both employers and employees recognise the symptoms at an early stage.
"We have produced guidance for employers and the stress
management standards can help employers tackle the issue."
The worker survey was undertaken by the British Market Research
Bureau (BMRB) on behalf of the HSE.
Full details of the worker survey, questions administered and
full technical report, in pdf format, can be accessed by clicking the following
links:
WHASS Final Questionnaire
WHASS Technical Report
The HSE Employer Survey published in November 2005 can also be
accessed, in pdf format, by clicking the following:
Employer Survey November 2005
An HSfB article on stress, kindly prepared by Mr. Frank
Cooper MIOSH RSP, containing further information and helpful links, can be
accessed from our Your Articles Page by clicking the following:
Stress in the Workplace
Article by Alexandra Johnston
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