date: 23 December 2002 embargo: 00.01 hrs, Tuesday 7 January 2003

Attention: Scottish media

A third of Scottish workplaces face the threat of violence, TUC safety survey reveals

Workers in one in three Scottish workplaces are worried about the risk of violent assaults and threats, according to a TUC survey of workplace union safety reps published today (Tuesday). And Scottish employers are the worst in Great Britain for providing occupational health services for their workers, says the TUC.

The main issues of concern in Scotland were:

• overwork and stress - 57% of workplaces;

• repetitive strain injuries (RSI) and display screen equipment - both affecting 31% of workplaces;

• violent assaults and threats - 30% of workplaces; and

• back strains - 30% of workplaces.

Workers in Scotland were more concerned about low temperatures than anywhere else in Great Britain.

STUC General Secretary Bill Speirs said:

'Scottish workers are reaping the whirlwind of an increasingly violent society. It isn’t fair that workers should bear the brunt of this, and there are simple steps that employers can take to reduce the risks of violence, working in partnership with trade unions. Violence is a major cause of stress at work, but the risk of assault can be managed like any other safety risk.'

• Scottish employers were the worst in Britain for providing occupational health services for their employees (these services can help with prevention, but also treatment and rehabilitation), with just 46% providing in-house services, and a further 31% providing the service through an external provider. However, even these figures (relating to unionised workplaces) are better than the average of unionised and non-unionised workplaces, where such services have almost disappeared.

Notes to Editors:

703 safety reps in Scotland took part in the national survey, which the TUC conducts every two years. The full survey, Health and safety 2002, is published on 7 January as part of the TUC’s Trade Union Trends series. Copies are available priced £30 from TUC Publications (0207 467 1294).

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Contacts:

Media enquiries: Liz Chinchen on 020 7467 1248 or 07699 744115 (pager) or email lchinchen@tuc.org.uk

Other enquiries: Owen Tudor on 07788 715261 (mobile) or otudor@tuc.org.uk

Press release (500 words) issued 7 Jan 2003