HSE International ISSUE 104 | Page 11

T UC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “The message from the shop floor is clear - stress is becoming a bigger and bigger problem. Pressures of long working hours and low job security are being felt in workplaces across the UK. “It’s in no-one’s interests to have overstretched workforces. People who experience high anxiety are less productive and are more likely to take time off. Stress is preventable if staff have reasonable workloads, supportive managers and a workplace free from violence, bullying and harassment. “Anyone worried about their workload or being unfairly treated at work should join a union, to get the support they need and their interests represented at work.” The TUC has published guidance on dealing with stress at work and how employers can promote positive mental health. It highlights three key points: • Stress is not a weakness or your fault: it can affect anyone at any time. • Don’t let the stigma of mental health force you to suffer in silence: but instead talk to someone like your union rep, a friend, your GP or a support service • Stress-related illnesses caused by work are preventable. Employers have a legal responsibility to reduce or remove anything at work that could make you ill – and that includes workplace stress. Expert training providers in:  Working in Confined Spaces  High Risk Entry and Rescue  Health and Safety  Working at Height  First Aid  Fire Fighting  IOSH and NEBOSH We have 7 training centres throughout the UK - contact us today. Including a new centre in London www.mrsl.co.uk See more at: www.tuc.org.uk/workplace-issues/health-and-safety/workplacestress-record-levels-say-union-health-and-safety-reps pedestrians at the time of the first incident despite knowing that the temporary lights were broken. Liverpool City Council of Dale Street, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 9(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (CDM) and were fined £15,000 and ordered to pay £100,000 costs. Enterprise Liverpool Limited of Newton Road, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 22(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (CDM) and were fined £25,000 and ordered to pay £80,000 costs. Tarmac Trading Limited of Portland House, Bickenhill Lane, Solihull, pleaded guilty to Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act, 1974 and were fined £1.3 million and ordered to pay £130,000 costs. Speaking after the case HSE Inspector Jacqueline Western said: “The combined failure of all three dutyholders to comply with their duties, on more than one occasion during the Queens Drive resurfacing project, led to one man losing his life and another suffering serious injury. It could quite easily have been two fatal incidents.” See the full HSE press release at: www.press.hse.gov.uk/2016/council-and-contractors-fined-after-man-dies-and-another-seriously-injured-in-roadworks/ JOIN THE CONVERSATION. CONTACT US TODAY! 0800 612 5845 [email protected] HSE INTERNATIONAL 11