The 14th National Stress Awareness Day (NSAD), which is held to celebrate helping people beat stress, will take place on 7 November 2012.
Stress management has never been more relevant than it is today. According to recent research by Insurance Company AXA, UK employees’ stress levels have doubled in 4 years suggesting that the worldwide economic turmoil, worries about job security and the cost of living are taking their toll.
The effects of stress can lead to physical symptoms of ill health as well as longer term psychological damage. Those who are experiencing work-related stress may also complain of or demonstrate symptoms of anxiety, depression or panic attacks.
Stress may be caused or made worse by a number of work related factors such as work practices, pressure, management techniques, environment and technology.
As a potential hazard, stress should be identified in risk assessments in the same way as physical hazards like dangerous chemicals or fire risks. Once identified, it must be prevented, removed or controlled in order to ensure a safe workplace.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guide Managing the causes of work related stress: a step by step approach Using the Management Standards should be used by all employers when considering how to address the problem of stress. The guide puts risk assessment at the heart of any plan to reduce the risk of work-related stress.
However the HSE makes clear that before a risk assessment is undertaken the employer should:
- Talk to their staff about work-related stress and explain what they want to identify;
- Set up a group to help (which includes trade union safety/employee representatives, the unit health and safety officer, one or more supervisors or line managers, an HR representative and, where possible, someone from the occupational health service);
- Explain that the first step is to undertake a risk assessment;
- Ask the group to assist in the assessment; and
- Agree a date when the key findings of the risk assessment will be available.
When assessing the risks in your workplace, your employer should follow the five steps to risk assessment:
- Identify the hazards;
- Decide who might be harmed and how;
- Evaluate the risks and decide on precaution;
- Record your findings and implement them; and
- Review your assessment and update if necessary.
***UNISON members will be setting up a stall in the staff club on Wednesday 7th November, from 12 midday until 2pm, to mark National Stress Awareness Day. Amongst the many interesting items that will be on show, we will be giving away some stress-relieving toys. So, come along and help yourself to a chill-out toy - but come early to avoid the stress of disappointment.***
