Bid to tackle work-related stress launched
Stress is becoming the biggest cause of ill health in the workplace, it was claimed today.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is launching a new pilot scheme to tackle the issue in the Republic and in Northern Ireland, following a prediction from the World Health Organisation that stress will be the major cause of workplace ill health by 2020.
Minister for Labour Affairs Tony Killeen TD said stress could have a very serious effect on the health of workers.
“There are risks in all workplaces and it is important that where stress on workers exists it is identified as such, assessed, and a strategy put in place to have it dealt with.”
Recent Scandinavian research has found a positive link between workplace stress and heart disease.
The HSA’s Work Positive tool will be introduced in three companies on each side of the border, including a state agency, a healthcare company and a manufacturing company, to allow them to assess the level of stress in their workplaces.
The signs of stress – the body’s reaction to excessive pressure – include headaches, disturbed sleep, fatigue, increased alcohol consumption, a loss of concentration and a shortened temper.
Workers will be asked if they have too many demands for their agreed hours of work, if they are consulted over work patterns, if there are systems in place to encourage them to report unacceptable behaviour and if the company regularly reviews their salaries and benefits.
