HSE Stress Risk Assessment Process
What is a Stress Risk Assessment?
A stress risk assessment is a systematic process aimed at identifying and managing potential stressors within a specific environment, often in the context of workplaces. This assessment involves recognising factors contributing to stress, evaluating their impact on individuals’ wellbeing and performance and implementing strategies to mitigate these stressors.
Key steps include identifying stressors, assessing their impact, recognising at-risk individuals, implementing mitigation strategies, and regularly reviewing and updating the assessment. By proactively managing stress in the workplace, organisations can foster a healthier and more productive work environment.
An organisational (not an individual) stress risk assessment is a legal requirement in many countries around the world including the UK. This requirement comes from the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Within the HSE stress risk assessment are six factors:
- Demands – this includes issues such as workload, work patterns and the work environment
- Control – how much say the person has in the way they do their work
- Support – this includes the encouragement, sponsorship and resources provided by the organisation, line management and colleagues
- Relationships – this includes promoting positive working to avoid conflict and dealing with unacceptable behaviour
- Role – whether people understand their role within the organisation and whether the organisation ensures that they do not have conflicting roles
- Role – whether people understand their role within the organisation and whether the organisation ensures that they do not have conflicting roles
However ISO45003 unbundles some of these factors and treats them individually – (there is a lot of difference between workload and the work environment for example!) it also looks more broadly at such issues as fairness, bullying and Equality Diversity and Inclusion.
At Healthy Work Company, we can support you in either of these areas – and will guide you on which is the most appropriate route for you.