The Central Statistics Office, Ireland reports that 13,000 people in the Republic of Ireland suffer from stress, depression and anxiety. Also, the Department of Social and Family Affairs states that 1.7% of all occupational injury benefit claims allowed in the Republic of Ireland in 2006 related to stress.
Why a Risk Assessment process makes sense
Putting in place a risk assessment process for stress helps you meet your statutory obligation of care, affords some protection in the case of litigation and has positive outcomes for efficiency and the bottom line. In the current economic times can you afford not to invest in this process?
We can help
We can help you establish a comprehensive risk management process that incorporates a risk assessment covering the major causal factors associated with workplace stress. We can help you identify the potential causes of stress at work in line with requirements under the requirement to prevent accidents and illness at work under the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act 2005.
A five step approach to risk assessment is recommended.
1. Identify the hazards
2. Decide who might be harmed and how.
3. Evaluate the risk and decide what needs to be done.
4. Record your findings.
5. Monitor and review.
Safety Statement
This results in a Safety Statement. This document, which all organisations should have had completed in the past, is now a mandatory requirement. It comprises of a list of all ‘identifiable hazards’ to health at work, with a ‘risk analysis’ of just how dangerous a hazard may be, and a set of appropriate ways that an employer has put in place to eliminate or control these hazards (control measures). In addition the Statement must include ‘how the safety is managed’ that means ‘who is responsible for what; when are inspections, training and testing to be done and by whom’ etc.
The buck stops here
The Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act 2005 makes explicit the responsibilities of directors and managers. Primary responsibility for worker safety and health falls on employers. The weight of evidence in any litigation now falls on the employer rather than the employee taking action.
Don’t just take our word for it
The Minister for Labour Affairs, Dara Calleary TD, stated (5th May 2009): “Stress management is an area of workplace health and safety that we need to have a greater focus on. Stress is a fact of life, whether that be in the workplace or outside of work, and we all experience some form of stress from time to time. However, excessive stress which goes unaddressed can lead to serious health problems for individuals. When it comes to workplaces, employers need to recognise the signs and it is in their interest to know how to deal with them.”
Minister Calleary continued: “The clear message … is that intervention procedures for staff showing signs of stress related difficulties can prevent it from becoming a major health issue for workers. As with most health problems, preventing it in the first place is always the best course of action.”
Take the first step
Darren Priest studied at the Institute of Work, Health and Organisations under the psychologists who developed this approach for the Health and Safety Executive in the UK.
Contact us to talk about how we can use our expertise to benefit your organisation and its employees.
 Click the PDF Icon to download an example Risk Assessment Report
The Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act 2005
The HSA Guide to the 2005 Act |
