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BRINGING STRESS TO WORK CAN BE FATAL
»»THE BRITISH SAFETY COUNCIL HAS
launched a film showing how stress
endangers lives.
The powerful new film shows how
stress can lead to injury and fatalities at
work. In any activity where concentration
is vital for safety, such as working in
construction, driving, or in health and
social care, stress can be fatal.
Stress is often discussed in relation
to sickness absence. However, it’s less
reported how it can endanger lives.
Some research shows that up to 80% of
accidents are related to stress at work.
Whether it is work-related stress or stress
that people bring to work, stress can put
at risk the safety of both employees and
members of the public.
Matthew Holder, Head of Campaigns
and Engagement at the British Safety
Council, commented: “It is well
documented that stress is a significant
cause of sickness absence, undermining
both productivity and profitability.
What is less discussed is how stress
can endanger lives. Evidence shows
that stress significantly contributes to
injuries in sectors such as construction,
transport and agriculture. In the medical
profession, stress is a major predictor
of work-related accidents and there are
strong links between fatigue and sharps
injuries.
“We made The last word to warn
people that being tired, distracted and
unable to fully concentrate can make
simple tasks like climbing a ladder
more dangerous. The film is directed
at employees and employers, showing
how important it is that managers and
LOCKSMITHJOURNAL.CO.UK | SEP/OCT 2016
supervisors identify the symptoms of
stress and help their staff to deal with it.”
Information accompanying the film
reinforces this message. It describes
common symptoms of stress and actions
that employees can take to reduce stress.
The film is part of the British Safety Council
campaign Speak Up, Stay Safe, targeted
at younger employees to raise their
awareness of risks at work. It’s the first time
the campaign has tackled stress.
Statistical evidence demonstrating the
consequences of stress at work:
In 2014/15 - 440,000 people in the UK
reported work-related stress at a level
they believed was making thewwm ill.
Evidence showing that 60-80% of
accidents are related to workplace stress.
A survey of 2,500 doctors found that
job stress was a major predictor of workrelated accidents. Fatigue, in particular,
is associated with a threefold increased
risk of sharps injuries in medical trainees
compared with other healthcare
workers.