STRESS RISK ASSESSMENT |
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A stress risk assessment is required under the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999, only when an employee informs their employer that they are experiencing stress beyond an acceptable level, or they are suffering with a stress-related illness.
Examples of stress at work may be:
- Excessive workload
- Workplace bullying
- Inadequate IT systems / support
- Perceived job ambiguity
It is a requirement that the stress risk assessment be carried out by a competent person. Failure to comply with this requirement may render a stress risk assessment as non-conforming and void.
On a practical level, the main benefit of a stress risk assessment is to reduce the likelihood of workplace stressors resulting in harm.
On a legal level, the main benefit of having a stress risk assessment in place is that if a worst-case scenario does happen and a workplace stressor does result in harm, your organisation will have a legal defence.
These benefits rely on the risk assessment being kept up-to-date, and recommendations made in the risk assessment being acted on within a reasonable timeframe.