David Stanton
Question:66 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action, if any, she is contemplating to alleviate stress in the workplace; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15806/99]
Written Answers. - Stress in the Workplace.
The Health and Safety Authority is the State body charged with responsibility for the administration, enforcement and promotion of all workplace health and safety legislation. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, is the principal legislation dealing with workplace health and safety. It is detailed legislation which clearly sets out the responsibilities which both employers and employees have in relation to providing and maintaining a safe working environment. The Act applies to all places of work and covers all employers, employees and the self-employed. The 1989 Act places the primary duty of care for the safety, health and welfare at work of employees on the employer in the first instance. This applies to all workplace health and safety matters including such issues as workplace stress, violence and bullying.
Under section 12 of the 1989 Act, every employer is obliged to prepare a written safety statement. This statement should be based on an identification of the hazards, and an assessment of the risks, to safety and health at the place of work. The statement should also specify the manner in which the safety, health and welfare of workers is to be secured. The Health and Safety Authority encourages all employers to use the process of preparing a safety statement to examine both the physical and psychological risks to workers, and to ensure that the workplace is structured and managed in such a way so as to ensure that workers are not placed under extreme levels of stress which may have a negative or detrimental effect on their physical and psychological well-being. The emphasis is on the management of workplaces in a way so as to prevent unnecessary stress.
The authority has produced a booklet on the prevention of stress at work and it is intended that this will be revised during the current year. A separate booklet on bullying at work is also available from the authority and I am considering further initiatives in this area at present. I hope to be in a position to make an announcement shortly.