Stress is overlooked in Health and Safety Occupations
New survey by MySafetySign reveals workplace problems
NEW YORK, Jan. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2014 MySafetySign Health & Safety Industry Survey revealed that stress is the most overlooked workplace concern. MySafetySign's first annual survey explores the issues and changes currently facing the health and safety industry.
Of surveyed professionals, 24% mention stress and 20% mention overworking as the main safety hazards that go unnoticed. In fact, three of five safety concerns not given enough consideration are psychosocial issues (stress, overwork, and the risks of working alone).
The hazards associated with stress and overwork were prevalent across a wide range of industries. Health services, manufacturing, and energy and water professionals all listed stress as a top concern.
Krissa Cavouras, Editor of MySafetySign's blog, said, "Physical dangers are typically well covered by health and safety training and processes. What our report has highlighted is a lack of focus on more hidden dangers like stress, overwork, and bullying."
In addition to the top psychosocial issues, 8% of respondents said that bullying and harassment needed more attention in the workplace.
Nellie J. Brown is Director of Cornell University's Workplace Health and Safety Program. She said, "Stress is an emotional strain which can exist short term and long term. Demands on specific quality goals, production output, and incentive programs can often lead to under-reporting of stress. Workers should address the emotional strain earlier rather than later. Waiting can often be more detrimental and lead to more severe problems for both the employee and the company."
Only 21% of respondents said their organization had health and safety embedded in staff's personal responsibilities and objectives.
Cavouras went on to say, "We launched the annual MySafetySign Health & Safety Industry Survey to gain a deeper insight into the main challenges faced by those working in health and safety.
"As we continue to build upon the report each year, we hope it will help paint a comprehensive picture of key issues in the health and safety space."
MySafetySign surveyed 470 individuals responsible for the health and safety practices within their organization. The report also considers the state of budgets in the industry, how invested senior management is in health and safety policy, and how organizations demonstrate commitment to health and safety practices. Read the full MySafetySign Health & Safety Industry Survey at http://www.mysafetysign.com/health-safety-survey.
About MySafetySign
MySafetySign is a Brooklyn-based safety signage company. Its mission is to make signs and labels as effective as possible in order to prevent accidents and save lives. Customers can choose from over 40,000 designs and customizable safety sign templates. MySafetySign is a subsidiary of the SmartSign family as well as the driving force behind #HazardSpotting, a "spot the OSHA violations in worksites"-inspired blog campaign. For more information, visit: http://www.mysafetysign.com
| Top barriers to implementing health and safety practices in the workplace |
% |
| Worker attitudes (e.g. They are not interested or are obstructive) |
39% |
| Limited budget |
28% |
| Staff do not understand the problems/risks at work |
19% |
| Lack of organizational safety culture |
19% |
| Lack of involvement of workers in the health & safety process |
18% |
| Organizational resistance to change |
15% |
| Little commitment from top management |
12% |
| Lack of qualified trainers |
11% |
| Restrictive operational procedures |
7% |
| Insufficient OSHA enforcement |
4% |
| Lack of pressure from labor inspectors |
3% |
| Sensitivity to psychosocial issues (e.g. bullying, harassment, violence) |
2% |
| Top health and safety concerns in the workplace? |
% |
| Stress |
24% |
| Overwork |
20% |
| Back strains |
19% |
| Risks associated with working alone |
17% |
| Lifting heavy loads |
16% |
| Repetitive stress injuries or musculoskeletal disorders |
15% |
| Ear damage from excessive noise |
14% |
| Slips, trips & falls on the same level |
13% |
| The need for appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) |
11% |
| Eye strain from display screen equipment |
10% |
| Machinery hazards |
9% |
| Bullying / harassment |
8% |
http://www.mysafetysign.com/health-safety-survey
SOURCE MySafetySign
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