subject: Stress may be rising up the agenda for those with health and safety jobs [print this page] Stress may be rising up the agenda for those with health and safety jobs
People with health and safety jobs perform a range of functions. As well as seeking to reduce the likelihood of accidents occurring, they also try to combat other issues that can be damaging to health, such as workplace stress.
And new research suggests that the efforts of those with health & safety jobs may be increasingly in demand over coming months as the effects of the austerity package being implemented by the government make their impact felt.
A study conducted by the Stroke Association found that over seven million British adults may be at risk of suffering from a stroke as the new working year gets into full swing. Perhaps surprisingly, women are thought to be even more of a concern than men.
In total, around 15 per cent of those polled revealed they consider themselves to be extremely stressed.
A warning that may also be of interest to those with health and safety jobs was made by general secretary of the Trades Union Congress Brendan Barber. He suggested that employees' wellbeing might be particularly affected as the coalition administration's economic policies begin to make their impact felt.
He stated: "As the spending cuts bite and workers becoming increasingly nervous that they may lose their jobs it's understandable that the return to work ... is likely to be a stressful one for many employees.
"Stress can be caused by heavy workloads, cuts in staffing, long hours and bullying. Unions and employers must work together to combat stress at work as it can have a devastating impact on workers and a damaging cost on businesses."
Those with health & safety jobs are one of the points of call for individuals who feel they are unable to cope with the pressures they face at work and they may be inundated with pleas for help over coming months.
