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UK News - Breaking news in the field of health and safety
Stress and musculoskeletal problems loom larger - report
The latest information derived from Focus on union safety reps, the 2004 TUC union safety reps survey, indicates that stress, repetitive strain injuries (RSI) and back strain are the leading UK workplace-related health conditions. Over 4,500 safety reps responded.The findings are that in the 2 years since the last survey the incidence of:
stress is up 2% (58%);
RSI up 3% (40%); and
back strain up 4% (35%).
Other facts emerging through the survey are:
problems caused by slips and trips moved into the workplace hazards top 5 (up from a previous 7th place in 2002); only 53% of employers are deemed by the survey to be carrying out adequate risk assessments, the greatest deficiency in this respect being exhibited by local government and education; and only 44% of safety reps report being involved in the process of risk assessment; where employers provide occupational health services, these are 'less concerned with health promotion and accident prevention, than sickness monitoring and disciplinary assessments';stress is worst for workers in banking and finance (83% reported that stress was a big problem); the most stressed out regions are Scotland and the South West; and 39% of union safety reps said that their workplace had never been inspected by HSE/LA officials. 'The top 5 workplace hazards are all easily preventable, yet too few employers seem to be getting to grips with preventing accidents and ill health at work. Meanwhile stress, RSI, back strain, slips and trips and problems caused by display screen equipment continue to cause pain and distress to thousands of workers and cost the UK economy millions.A simple risk assessment involving the expert guidance of trade union safety reps. could dramatically reduce the risk of hazards in most workplaces. Yet, despite being required by law to carry them out, large numbers of employers still fail to do so. The HSE must get tougher with negligent bosses who continue to be reckless with the safety and well-being of their workforce.' - TUC General Secretary.
