1. Psychosocial Risks at Work Shaun Lundy

2. Psychosocial Risks at Work
Work-related-stress
Violence & aggression at work

3. What is Work-Related Stress?
Stress is the feeling of being under pressure.
A little bit of pressure can:
increase productivity
be motivating
improve performance 
However, too much pressure or prolonged pressure can lead to stress, which is unhealthy for the mind and body.

4. Stress Hormones Cortisol Adrenaline Noradrenaline
These hormones are all produced by the adrenal glands (two small organs that are located just above the kidneys).
They invoke the 'fight or flight' feelings that help you to deal with a stressful situation.

5. Harmful effects of stress hormones
However, when it is impossible to fight or escape a stressful situation, such as being on an overcrowded train, these chemicals are not used. If the chemicals that are released during stressful situations accumulate in the body, you may start to feel unwell.

6. A Build up of Adrenaline & Noradrenaline
Will increase:
your blood pressure
your heart rate
the amount that you sweat

7. A Build-up of Cortisol Will increase your blood pressure.
Suppress your immune system (the body’s natural defence against illness and infection), which means you may not be able to fight off an illness or recover from an injury.  
Release fat and sugar into your bloodstream, which may lead to weight gain. 

8. Mental Symptoms Anger Depression Anxiety Changes in behaviour
Food cravings
Lack of appetite
Frequent crying
Difficulty sleeping
Feeling tired
Difficulty concentrating

9. Physical Symptoms Chest pains Constipation or diarrhoea
Cramps or muscle spasms
Dizziness & fainting spells
Biting your nails or nervous twitches
Pins and needles (paraesthesia),
Feeling restless
Sweating more than usual
Sexual difficulties
Breathlessness
Problems sleeping

10. Psychosocial Risk Factors
Design of work processes
Organisational factors
Management issues
Economic and social context of work
Failure to manage these factors effectively may result in an increased level of stress and can lead to serious deterioration of mental and physical health.

11. How prevalent is Work-Related Stress?
The European Agency for Health and Safety at Work estimate that more than 22% of workers are affected by work-related stress.
Studies in the EU and UK suggest that between % of all lost working days are related to psychosocial factors caused or made worse by work.

12. Reasons for Managing Psychosocial Risks
Reducing psychosocial risks is not only a moral, but also a legal imperative.
There is a strong business case as well. In 2002, the annual economic cost of work-related stress in the EU-15 was estimated to be over 20 billion Euros.

13. What is Violence & Aggression at Work?
Repeated, unreasonable behaviour directed towards an employee, or group of employees.
Usually aimed at victimising, humiliating, undermining or threatening the harassed person.
Violence is one of the most serious occupational hazards. It can include insults, threats or physical aggression.

14. How prevalent is Violence & Aggression?
In 2005 an EU Survey indicated that 5% of workers in Europe reported being subject to harassment/bullying and 4% of workers reported being subjected to actual physical violence from members of the public in the past twelve months.
In some EU countries as many as 10-17% of workers reported this problem.

15. Psychosocial Risk Workshop
Examine the HSE stress management standard and associated guidance.
Review Dan’s story, an HSE case study designed to provide a real life example stress at work.
Examine the guidance available on violence & aggression at work.
Review workplace examples of violence & aggression at work and interventions designed to prevent injury.