Your Work and Your Health
Work-related stress - Reporting work-related illness
As an Employer am I expected to report Work Related Stress?
Under the 'Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995' (RIDDOR) managers should be aware that it is compulsory for employers to report cases of listed occupational diseases but at present occupational stress is not a reportable disease.
However, when the period of inability to carry out normal work exceeds
three days or more, and results from psychological illness following an
accident, a near miss, or an incident of physical violence at work, then
the event is reportable. Workers may be concerned about the consequences
of reporting such incidents should an investigation occur. However, it
is compulsory for an employer to report these incidents under RIDDOR 1995
regulations http://www.riddor.gov.uk/diseases.html.
Take Action Now
Employers should complete an assessment of the level of stress factors for each team of employees in order to prevent, or minimize the impact of stressful situations. This can be done by using the management standards that HSE have produced that provide a set of benchmarks against which you can assess the likely impact of changing working practice on factors likely to cause stress. The emphasis is on preventing stress by good management in the first place and not managing stress when it has already occurred!
If you would like to know more about the use of these management standards in your work place then you can obtain this information by visiting HSE's website at:
or by contacting HSE directly on:
Tel: 0870 154 5500
Fax: 02920 859260
email: hseinformationservices@natbrit.com
