A poll found that employers are “worryingly low” in their awareness, understanding and compliance of the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) requirements for stress risk assessments.
The survey conducted by Occupational health Assessment, which included 115 senior HR professionals representing 88,000 employees, revealed widespread ignorance of stress risk assessments.
Four out of ten employers (41%) did not know that any organization with five or more workers is required by law to complete a formal assessment of stress risks.
A quarter of employers (25%) had never conducted a stress assessment.
Another 29% failed to carry out such an assessment within the last three years, even though regular reviews of plans are a key component of HSE regulations.
The half (50%) admitted to being “a little nervous” about conducting a risk assessment. A further 2% were “very anxious”.
Occupational Health Assessment has warned other employers about a recently conducted investigation at The University of Birmingham.
The university is accused of failing to implement adequate procedures for preventing and minimising workplace stress.
Steve Herbert, brand ambassador for Occupational Health Assessment said that more than half (52%) of respondents were concerned about creating a risk assessment. In reality, it is a simple exercise that requires a persistent and regular focus in order to produce positive results.
He added that more employers needed to “take the HSE regulations serious”.
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