Recession Stress Raises Risk of Workplace Accidents

Up to 90% of workers reported rising stress levels

According to a survey commissioned by insurance company RSA, rising stress workplace stress levels during the recession are increasing the risk of accidents and injuries at work. Those responsible for the study of 2,000 people warned that millions of working days are being lost both directly and indirectly due to stress as it has an effect on overall staff productivity and impacts on personal lives.

Stress rates in the study varied across the country, with 9 out of 10 people surveyed in London and the South East saying that work related pressures had increased in recent months as the economic situation worsened. This contrasts with the picture in the North East where stress levels were much lower, despite the loss of thousands of manufacturing and industrial jobs in the area since last year.

The survey revealed worrying results regarding the role of stress in workplace accidents, with one in five of the people who were questioned saying that they felt rising stress levels meant they were more likely to suffer an accident at work. This feeling varied depending on the industry people were working in, with people in the manufacturing and service industries feeling most at risk of an accident due to stress, compared with people working in the construction industry who felt less at risk of stress-related accidents.

During the recession, with many businesses forced to cut staff, it is important to remember the impact this might have on the safety of people still working. Employers might require their remaining staff to carry out more work, with reduced supervision or to work longer hours than previously. Longer hours and a bigger workload can lead to tiredness and an increased risk that any errors made by employees might result in themselves, another worker, or a member of the public being injured in an accident.

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At Camps Solicitors our workplace accident lawyers help hundreds of clients to make accident compensation claims every year. If you have had an accident at work and you think unsafe working practices or a lack of supervision were to blame for your injury, then we may be able to help. After a free initial consultation our legal experts will be able to tell you whether you can bring a No-Win No-Fee compensation claim based on the circumstances of your accident.