NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release 23 April 2003

STRESS IS TOP HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUE FOR RAIL STAFF, SAYS TSSA SURVEY

A TSSA survey has revealed that an alarming 73 per cent of rail industry health and safety reps consider overwork or stress to be the number one workplace hazard.

The TSSA/TUC Safety Reps Survey found that 46 per cent of respondents consider long hours of work to be the second biggest health and safety problem.

Violence or threats and the use of display screen equipment are the joint third main hazards, according to 42 per cent of reps.

The survey was carried out so TSSA reps could establish the type and extent of health and safety issues experienced by their colleagues. The results will be used to help employers devise measures to reduce workplace hazards, particularly stress.

The findings reveal that stress in the rail industry is on the increase. A similar survey conducted by the TUC in 1999 showed that 68 per cent of health and safety reps in the transport and communications industry were primarily concerned with overwork or stress. TSSA General Secretary Richard Rosser said: "This survey reveals the worrying extent of workplace stress within the rail industry.

"Employers have a duty of reasonable care to ensure that staff are not exposed to stress. However, our survey shows that many of our reps think they are not living up to this.

"We urge the rail industry to take this problem seriously by adopting our model stress policy which protects the welfare of their employees.

"This includes identifying causes of stress and conducting risk assessments to eliminate or control stress among employees."

For further information, please contact:
Press Officer Hannah Leggett (020) 7529 8059 or 07769 682806 (mobile).

Notes to Editors

1. TSSA represents 32,000 members in administrative, clerical, managerial, professional and technical jobs in the railways, buses, the London Underground, the travel trade, canals, ports and ferries, and road haulage.

2. Full findings of the survey are as follows:

1. Overwork or stress - 73 per cent
2. Long hours of work - 46 per cent
=3. Display screen equipment - 42 per cent
=3. Violence or threats - 42 per cent
4. Working alone - 35 per cent
5. Slips, trips or falls on the level - 31 per cent
6. Back strain - 23 per cent
7. Noise - 19 per cent
8. High temperatures - 15 per cent
9. Dust - 11 per cent
=10. Chemicals or solvents - 8 per cent
=10. Handling heavy loads - 8 per cent
=10. Repetitive strain injuries - 8 per cent
=11. Infections - 4 per cent
=11. Passive smoking - 4 per cent
=11. Low temperatures - 4 per cent
=12. Asbestos - 0 per cent
=12. Vibration - 0 per cent
=12. Slips, trips and falls from a height - 0 per cent

3. The survey was carried out in December 2002 and 102 health and safety reps responded out of a total of 300.

4. Respondents described themselves as reps for TOCs, Railtrack, LUL, engineering firms, ports & shipping, freight, bus or tram and the travel trade.

5. TSSA's model stress policy has been adopted by TUC and is available on request.