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

Attention: South West media

South West workers feeling the strain

Stress and overwork is worse in the South West than almost every other region in the country, according to a TUC survey of workplace union safety reps published today (Tuesday). Stress was a major health and safety problem in 60% of the region’s workplaces, making it the second most stressed region in Great Britain. The main causes of stress in the South West were workloads, followed by cuts in staff and change.

Other issues of concern in the region were:

• repetitive strain injuries (RSI) - 39% of workplaces;

• display screen equipment (DSE) - 38% of workplaces;

• long hours - 31% of workplaces; and

• slips and trips - 30% of workplaces - second worst in the country.

South West TUC Regional Secretary Nigel Costley said:

'The South West’s workers deserve a better standard of health and safety than this. Employers should be working in partnership with unions to create a better working environment. We need to work smarter and slower, not harder, longer and faster.'

The South West also showed the greatest concern about road traffic accidents at work (50% higher than the national average), and second greatest concern about low temperatures at work (a problem in one in ten workplaces).

Notes to Editors:

503 safety reps in the region 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).

All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk Register for the TUC's press extranet: a service exclusive to journalists wanting to access pre-embargo releases and reports from the TUC. Visit www.tuc.org.uk/pressextranet

A series of TUC rights leaflets are available on our website and from the know your rights line 0870 600 4 882. Lines are open every day from 8am-10pm. Calls are charged at the national rate.

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 or Nigel Costley on 07887 797153

Press release (400 words) issued 7 Jan 2003