Tackling Work Related Stress
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Environmental Health
Tel: 01276 707330
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Online Information
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Stress is an adverse reaction that people have to excessive pressure or other demands placed on them. It may be caused by things at work or outside work or even a combination of the two.
Stress is not an illness but it can lead to increased problems with ill health, if it is prolonged or particularly intense for example:
Physical Effects
- heart disease
- back pain
- gastrointestinal disturbances
- various minor illnesses
Psychological Effects
- anxiety and depression
In this country one in five workers report that they have been affected by work related stress.
Employers have a duty to make sure that employees aren't made ill by their work. Where stress caused or made worse by work could lead to ill health, you must assess the risk.
A risk assessment for stress involves:
- looking for pressures at work that could cause high and long lasting levels of stress
- deciding who may be harmed by these
- deciding whether you are doing enough to prevent that harm
If necessary, you must then take reasonable steps to deal with these pressures.
The health and safety executive have produced a guide "tackling work-related stress: a managers guide to improving and maintaining employee health and well being" ISBN 0717 6 20506 £7.95.
For firms with fewer than 50 employees there is a free booklet "Work - related stress a short guide", both are available on line at www.hsebooks.co.uk or from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sunbury, Suffolk C010 2WA. Tel. 01787 881165
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