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Section three : hazards at work

main hazards

Safety reps were asked to identify up to five of the main hazards of concern to workers at their workplace. Table 1 shows the responses and compares them with the responses in 1998, 2000 and 2002. The top four hazards have headed all the previous TUC biennial survey results.

As in previous TUC surveys of safety reps, overwork or stress is still by far the most frequently identified main hazard of concern. In 2004, overwork or stress was identified by a slightly larger percentage of safety reps (58%), compared with 56% in 2002.

Musculoskeletal disorders are still a major problem in the workplace and seem to be getting worse. The 2004 survey shows that repetitive strain injuries (40%) and back strains (35%) are placed second and third respectively in the main hazards of concern. Concerns about repetitive strain injuries (RSI) have increased by 3% from 37% in 2002. Back strains have moved up from fourth to the third main hazard of concern and the percentage identifying them has increased by 4% from 31% in 2002. In addition, another 13% identified handling heavy loads as a main concern.

Display Screen Equipment (DSE) drops from the third main concern in 2002 to the fourth main concern in 2004. One in three respondents (32%) cites it as a major issue, which is slightly less than the figure in 2002 (34%). However, repetitive strain injuries, backache and stress can all be associated with DSE work, so the problem may be greater than the figure of 32% shows.

Slips, trips and falls on the same level (28%) have moved up from the seventh main concern in 2002 to the fifth main concern in 2004. In addition, slips, trips and falls from a height are identified by 7% in 2004. One of the traditional causes of injury in the workplace is still a major concern to workers.

Other key features of the responses about hazards in the 2004 survey are:

• concerns about working alone (27%) have moved up to the sixth main concern, although the percentage is the same as the 2002 and 1998 surveys;

• long hours of work (25%) is the seventh main hazard of concern in the current survey, which is the same position as the 2000 survey. However, less safety reps are identifying it compared with 2002 and 2000 (29%);

• violence and threats are identified by 22% in 2004 and is the eighth main hazard of concern. This shows a drop since 2002 when 28% identified the problem;

• chemicals or solvents (21%); high temperatures (19%) showing a 4% rise since 2002; noise (17%); dusts (15%); and machinery hazards (13%) still feature as major issues. The percentage identifying bullying has increased from 10% in 2002 to 12% in 2004;

• transport at work concerns some workers with 6% identifying workplace transport accidents and 6% identifying road traffic accidents.

Table 1: the main hazards of concern to workers

Hazard	% cited in 2004	2002	2000	1998
Overwork or stress	58%	56%	66%	77%
Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI)	40%	37%	41%	37%
Back strains	35%	31%	44%	44%
Display Screen Equipment	32%	34%	36%	48%
Slips, trips, falls on the level	28%	28%	32%	Not listed in 1998
Working alone	27%	27%	32%	28%
Long hours of work	25%	29%	29%	25%
Violence and threats	22%	30%	28%	28%
Chemicals or solvents	21%	20%	24%	33%
High Temperatures	19%	15%	20%	27%
Noise	17%	20%	25%	30%
Dusts	15%	17%	21%	19%
Machinery hazards	13%	14%	22%	24%
Handling heavy loads	13%	11%	26%	Not listed in 1998
Bullying	12%	10%	17%	Not listed in 1998
Infections	7%	8%	10%	15%
Low temperatures	7%	8%	11%	16%
Slips, trips, falls from a height	7%	5%	9%	Not listed in 1998
Dermatitis/skin rashes	6%	5%	11%	12%
Workplace transport accidents	6%	8%	Not listed in 2000 and 1998
Road traffic accidents	6%	4%	Not listed in 2000 and 1998
Asbestos	5%	4%	5%	5%
Vibration	3%	3%	5%	4%
Passive smoking	3%	2%	Not listed in 2000 and 1998
Asthma	2%	3%	4%	4%

Note: percentages for 2004 exclude respondents who ticked more than five main hazards.

hazards by sector

Comparison in general terms between the public and the private sectors show similar results for problems associated with repetitive strain injuries, back strains and long hours. But there are some marked differences between some of the major concerns reflecting the different nature of work and the workplace.

examples of hazards	public	private
Overwork or stress	64%	48%
Display screen equipment	37%	24%
Violence and threats	31%	7%
Working alone	30%	22%
Infections	11%	2%
Bullying	15%	6%
Slips, trips & falls on the level	24%	36%
Noise	9%	30%
Chemicals or solvents	14%	32%
Dusts	10%	23%
Machinery	7%	22%
Workplace transport accidents	4%	10%

Table 2 provides more detailed analysis of specific economic sectors comparing the five major concerns of workers in each one. As in previous years, the figures demonstrate that stress or overwork is still the major concern across most sectors. It appears amongst the top five concerns in all fourteen sectors and is rated as the main hazard of concern in ten of them. Repetitive strain injuries appear amongst the top five concerns in 11 out of 14 sectors, increasing from 8 sectors in 2002. Back strains appear amongst the top five concerns in 8 out of 14 sectors. This shows that musculoskeletal disorders are still a major problem in many sectors. Slips, trips and falls on the same level appear amongst the top five concerns in 9 out of 14 sectors and display screen equipment in 8 out of 14.

Table 2: the 5 main hazards of concern to workers by sector

Sector	1st Concern	2nd Concern	3rd Concern	4th Concern	5th Concern
Agriculture & Fishing	Stress (46%)	RSI (42%)	Working alone (39%)	Back strains (35%)	Chemicals (31%)
Health Services	Stress (60%)	Back strains (59%)	Working alone (52%)	RSI (46%)	Violence (34%)
Distribution & Hotels	Back strains (56%)	Stress (46%)	Slips & trips on level (43%)	Heavy loads (41%)	Long hours (34%)
Banking, Finance, Insurance	Stress (83%)	RSI (68%)	DSE (64%)	High temp (36%)	Long hours (26%)
Voluntary Sector	Stress (65%)	Lone Working (49%)	RSI (43%)	Back strains (38%)	DSE (38%)
Education	Stress (72%)	Violence (30%)	Long hours (28%)	DSE (24%)	Slips & trips on level (23%)
Manu- facturing	Chemicals (44%)	RSI (43%)	Noise (42%)	Stress (38%)	Slips & trips on level (36%)
Energy & Water	Stress (58%)	Slips & trips on level (44%)	Lone working (40%)	DSE (38%)	RSI (34%)
Leisure Services	Stress (57%)	Long hours (46%)	Slips & trips level (41%)	DSE (38%)	Back strains (35%)
Construction	Back strains (46%)	RSI (35%)	Stress (31%)	Dusts (30%)	Slips & trips height (30%)
Local Govt.	Stress (69%)	DSE (46%)	Violence (42%)	RSI (40%)	Lone working (39%)
Central Govt.	DSE (75%)	Stress (71%)	RSI (67%)	Violence (35%)	High temp (30%)
Transport & Commun -ications	Stress (56%)	Slips & trips (42%)	Long hours (40%)	Back strains (38%)	RSI (31%)
Other Services	Stress (58%)	RSI (44%)	DSE (39%)	Back strains (31%)	Slips & trips on level (30%)

Note: percentages exclude respondents who ticked more than five main hazards.

With the exception of Central Government, Manufacturing, Construction, and Distribution, Hotels and Restaurants, overwork or stress is the main concern in ten of the fourteen sectors. Other key points to emerge are listed below.

Agriculture and fishing

In 2004, RSI is ranked second (42%) behind stress (46%). Working alone (39%) is again one of the top five hazards of concern in agriculture and fishing. Back strains (35%) moves into the top five concerns in place of Display Screen Equipment. Chemicals or solvents (31%) have appeared in the top five concerns for this sector in every TUC biennial survey. Agriculture and fishing is the worst sector for asthma (4%).

Health services

Health Services is the worst sector for back strains (59%); working alone (52%) and infections (25%). Two hazards show the highest percentage recorded in Health Services since the TUC started conducting biennial surveys:

• over one in two (52%) now identify working alone as a main hazard of concern;

• nearly one in two (46%) identify repetitive strain injuries.

Violence and threats have moved out of the top five concerns and show the lowest percentage (34%) since the TUC started biennial surveys.

Distribution, hotels and restaurants

This is the worst sector for handling heavy loads (41%), workplace transport (20%) and low temperatures (20%). It is also the second worst sector for back strains (56%), slips, trips and falls on the level (43%) and road traffic accidents (18%). Back strains (56%) remain the major concern for safety reps and handling heavy loads (41%) has moved back into the top five concerns. The percentage identifying stress (46%) has increased by 8% since 2002. Long hours of work are cited by over one in three safety reps (34%).

Banking, finance and insurance

Banking, Finance and Insurance is by far the worst for overwork or stress (83%), which has been the main hazard of concern in the sector in all previous TUC biennial surveys. It is again the worst sector for repetitive strain injuries (68%), showing least two out of three identify it as a main hazard of concern, which is the same as all previous TUC biennial surveys. High temperatures appear in the top five concerns for the first time since 1998. It is the worst sector for high temperatures and this problem is identified by a much larger percentage (36%) than 2002 (23%). It is also the worst sector for bullying (21%). It is the second worst sector for display screen equipment (64%). Long hours (26%) are again in the top five as they were in the 2000 and 2002 surveys.

Voluntary sector

Stress (65%) is still the main concern in the Voluntary sector. But working alone (49%) has returned as the second main concern this year, the same as in the 2000 survey. It is the second worst sector for concerns about working alone. Musculoskeletal disorders (43% RSI and 38% back strains) appear amongst the top five concerns. Concerns about DSE have diminished as a main hazard of concern from 50% in 2002 to 38% in 2004 and concerns about violence and threats have diminished from 38% in 2002 to 27% in 2004.

Education

Education is second only to Banking, Finance and Insurance in the identification of overwork or stress (72%) as a major concern. Violence and threats (30%) is the second main concern and is identified more frequently than the average for all sectors. Long hours (28%), DSE (24%) and slips, trips and falls on the level (23%) appear again in the top five concerns as they did in the 2002 survey. It is the second worst sector (along with Central & Local Government) for concerns about bullying (19%). It is the third worst sector for concerns about infection (11%).

Manufacturing

As in the 2002 survey, the Manufacturing sector is again the worst for concerns about chemicals or solvents (44%), noise (42%), dusts (35%) and machinery (34%). In addition, it has become the worst sector for dermatitis/skin rashes (14%). Chemicals and noise have appeared in the top five concerns in each TUC biennial survey. RSI (43%) is the second highest concern and stress (38%) appears in the top five for the first time since 1998. Over one in five safety reps in manufacturing (23%) identify high temperatures as a main hazard of concern.

Energy and water

Stress (58%) is still the main concern in the Energy and Water sector. Slips, trips and falls on the level (44%) are bigger concerns for workers in Energy and Water, than in any other sector. The hazards connected with working alone (40%) have returned to the third main item of concern, after being fifth in 2002. RSI (34%) appears in the top five concerns for the first time. It is the second worst sector for concerns about chemicals or solvents (32%), asbestos (16%), and vibration (8%).

Leisure services

Stress (57%) is still the main concern in this sector. The problem of long hours of work (46%) is increasing, making it the second main concern in the sector and the worst sector overall. Back strains (35%) are again amongst the top five concerns as they have been in every TUC biennial survey. Slips, trips and falls on the level (41%) and DSE (38%) return to the top five concerns. The problem of handling heavy loads (30%) has increased by 9% since 2002.

Construction

The main concern in Construction is back strains (46%) with repetitive strain injuries second (35%). This shows the continuing problem with musculoskeletal disorders in the industry. It is the first time that RSI has featured amongst the top five concerns. However, noise has dropped out of the top five for the first time since the TUC began its biennial surveys. Overwork or stress (31%) becomes one of the top five concerns again, increasing by 16% since 2002. Construction is the worst sector for concerns about slips, trips and falls from a height (28%) and about asbestos (18%). It is the second worst sector for dusts (30%), noise (28%), and dermatitis/skin rashes (6%).

Local government

The top five concerns in Local Government are the same in 2004 as they were in 2002. Stress (69%), DSE (46%) and violence (42%) have all appeared amongst the top five concerns for this sector in every TUC biennial survey. There are increasing concerns about overwork or stress (69%) which is 11% higher than 2002, and RSI (40%) which is 7% higher than 2002. Local government is the worst sector for violence and threats (42%) and is the second worst sector (along with Central Government and Education) for concerns about bullying (19%). It is the third worst sector for concerns about working alone (39%).

Central government

DSE (75%), stress (71%), RSI (67%) and violence (35%) have all appeared amongst the top five concerns for this sector in every TUC biennial survey. For the first time, DSE has replaced stress as the number one concern for safety reps and workers in Central Government. In addition, it is the worst sector for concerns about DSE. It is the second worst sector for:

• RSI (67%), reverting to the high levels of concern shown in 2000;

• violence and threats (35%);

• high temperatures (30%), which has entered the top five concerns for the first time; and

• bullying (19%) - along with Local Government and Education.

Transport and communications

Stress (56%), slips, trips and falls on the level (42%), long hours (40%) and back strains (38%) have all appeared amongst the top five concerns for this sector in each TUC biennial survey. The totals for slips, trips and falls on the level and from heights when they are combined, have increased from 2002 and continue to be a major problem (58%). RSI (31%) appears amongst the top five concerns for the first time. Transport and Communications is the worst sector for road traffic accidents (21%). It is the second worst sector for long hours of work (40%), concerns about workplace transport (20%), and slips, trips and falls from a height (16%).

Other services

Stress, RSI, DSE, slips, trips and falls and back strains have been the top five concerns in all TUC biennial surveys.

hazards and workplace size

Table 3 shows the five major health and safety concerns of the safety reps, according to how many people work at the workplace.

Table 3: main hazards at work and workplace size

Number of workers	1st Concern	2nd Concern	3rd Concern	4th Concern	5th Concern
Under 50	Stress (59%)	Back strains (36%)	Lone working (33%)	RSI (31%)	Long hours (26%)
50-100	Stress (55%)	RSI (39%)	Back strain (34%)	DSE (31%)	Slips & trips (26%)
Over 100	Stress (55%)	RSI (41%)	Back strains (35%)	Slips & trips (29%)	DSE (29%)
Over 200	Stress (58%)	RSI (44%)	DSE (37%)	Back strains (36%)	Slips & trips (32%)
Over 1000	Stress (63%)	RSI (47%)	DSE (38%)	Slips & trips (34%)	Back strains (32%)

Note: percentages exclude respondents who ticked more than five main hazards.

Table 4 compares some of the hazards identified by safety reps according to the size of their workplace.

Table 4: comparison of some different hazards by workplace size

Hazard	Under 50	50-100	Over 100	Over 200	Over 1000
Chemicals	(14%)	(21%)	(23%)	(24%)	(21%)
Noise	(12%)	(18%)	(22%)	(21%)	(13%)
Dusts	(12%)	(19%)	(19%)	(16%)	(11%)
Slips & trips on level	(21%)	(26%)	(29%)	(32%)	(34%)
DSE	(24%)	(31%)	(29%)	(37%)	(38%)
RSI	(31%)	(39%)	(41%)	(44%)	(47%)
Back strains	(36%)	(34%)	(35%)	(36%)	(32%)
Lone working	(33%)	(29%)	(23%)	(24%)	(29%)
Violence	(24%)	(22%)	(25%)	(18%)	(23%)
Bullying	(11%)	(10%)	(13%)	(11%)	(14%)

Note: percentages exclude respondents who ticked more than five main hazards.

Some of the key features from Table 3 and Table 4 include:

• stress or overwork is again the overwhelming concern in all sizes of undertakings, appearing to be more of a concern in workplaces with over 1000 workers (63%);

• musculoskeletal disorders (RSI and back strains), are a main concern in all sizes of workplace. The problem of RSI gets progressively worse as the number of workers increases. Thirty one per cent of safety reps in workplaces with under 50 workers consider it as a main problem, and 47% view it as a main problem in workplaces with over 1000 workers;

• concerns about display screen equipment get worse as the number of workers increases, rising from 24% in workplaces with under 50 workers to 40% in workplaces with over 1000 workers;

• slips and trips on the level has moved into the top five concerns for all workplaces with over 50 workers;

• as in the TUC 2002 survey, working alone concerns safety reps more in workplaces with under 50 workers (33%);

• safety reps are more concerned about noise, chemicals and dusts in workplaces with over 100 and over 200 workers;

• slips, trips and falls on the level are more of a concern in larger workplaces, 200 - 1000 workers (32%) and over 1000 workers (34%);

• again bullying is a bigger problem in workplaces with more than 1000 workers (14%).

hazards by region/country

Table 5 shows each hazard and the region (or country) in Great Britain where concerns are the highest and second highest.

Table 5: main hazards by region/country

Hazard	Worst area	2nd worst area	National concern
Overwork or stress	South West 62.9%	Scotland 62.4%	58%
Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI)	North West 45.0%	Wales 44.7%	40%
Back strains	Northern 50.2%	East Anglia 39.1%	35%
Display Screen Equipment	London 45.5%	South West 39.1%	32%
Slips, trips, falls on the level	Wales 32.1%	Midlands 31.5%	28%
Working alone	South East 31.0%	South West 29.4%	27%
Long hours of work	London 37.4%	Yorkshire 29.4%	25%
Violence and threats	Scotland 26.7%	London 25.9%	22%
Chemicals or solvents	North West 27.6%	Wales 26.8%	21%
High temperatures	London 23.9%	Yorkshire 23.3%	19%
Noise	Wales 22.6%	Yorkshire 20.1%	17%
Dusts	Yorkshire 20.7%	North West 17.9%	15%
Machinery hazards	Wales 23.2%	Yorkshire 15.9%	13%
Handling heavy loads	Northern 20.2%	Wales 18.9%	13%
Bullying	London 19.2%	Scotland 13.5%	12%
Infections	Scotland 10.7%	South East 7.4%	7%
Low temperatures	Scotland 10.5%	East Anglia 9.3%	7%
Slips, trips, falls from a height	Yorkshire 9.1%	South East 8.8%	7%
Workplace transport accidents	Northern 8.2%	South West 8.0%	6%
Dermatitis/skin rashes	Northern 7.8%	Midlands 7.3%	6%
Road traffic accidents	East Anglia 9.3%	South East 7.6%	6%
Asbestos	Wales 6.8%	Scotland 5.8%	5%
Vibration	Northern 4.3%	Midlands 3.6%	3%
Passive smoking	South West 3.7%	South East 3.3%	3%
Asthma	London 2.7%	Scotland 2.1%	2%

Note: percentages exclude respondents who ticked more than five main hazards.

Some of the key features that stand out from Table 5 include:

• the Northern region (including Cumbria) is again the worst for handling heavy loads (20%); and is now also the worst for back strains (50%); dermatitis/skin rashes (8%); workplace transport accidents (8%); and vibration (4%);

• like the two previous TUC surveys, Scotland is again the worst for low temperatures (10%). In addition, it is now the worst for violence (27%); and infections (11%). It is the second worst for overwork or stress (62%) bullying (14%); and asthma (2.1%);

• Wales is the worst for slips, trips and falls on the level (32%); machinery hazards (23%); noise (23%); and asbestos (7%);

• the Midlands region is the second worst for slips, trips and falls on the level (32%); dermatitis/skin rashes (7%); and vibration (4%);

• the North West region is the worst for RSI (45%); and chemicals or solvents (28%). It is the second worst for dusts (18%);

• the South East is the worst region for working alone (31%). It is the second worst for slips, trips and falls from a height (9%); and road traffic accidents (8%);

• East Anglia is the worst for road traffic accidents (9%). It is the second worst for back strains (39%); and low temperatures (9%);

• as in the 2002 and 2000 surveys, London is the worst region for hazards from display screen equipment (46%); and long hours of work (37%). It is now also the worst for high temperatures (24%); bullying (19%); and asthma (3%);

• Yorkshire and Humberside is again the worst for dusts (21%) and now the worst for slips, trips and falls from a height (9%). It is the second worst for long hours of work (29%); high temperatures (23%); noise (20%); and machinery hazards (16%);

• the South West is the worst for overwork or stress (63%); and passive smoking (4%). It is the second worst for display screen equipment (39%); working alone (29%); and workplace transport accidents (8%).

There is a considerable degree of consistency amongst the main hazards identified in the regional/country analysis shown in Table 6:

• the main concern for each region/country (with the exception of the Northern region) is overwork or stress;

• repetitive strain injuries feature in the top five concerns for each region/country, and the percentages identifying RSI are all higher than 2002;

• back strains feature in the top five in every country/region;

• display screen equipment is identified in the top five concerns in five English regions, and Scotland and Wales;

• slips, trips, & falls on the level are identified in the top five concerns in six English regions, and Wales;

• long hours of work is amongst the top five concerns in the Yorkshire and Humberside, the South East and London.

Table 6: main hazards of concern by region/country

Region/ country	1st Concern	2nd Concern	3rd Concern	4th Concern	5th Concern
Scotland	Stress (62%)	Back strains (32%)	RSI (29%)	Violence (27%)	DSE (26%)
Wales	Stress (50%)	RSI (45%)	Back strains (35%)	DSE (34%)	Slips/trips (32%)
Northern	Back strains (50%)	Stress (49%)	RSI (42%)	Slips/trips (29%)	Lone working (27%)
North West	Stress (59%)	RSI (45%)	DSE (36%)	Back strains (33%)	Slips/trips (30%)
Yorkshire	Stress (52%)	RSI (42%)	Back strains (35%)	Slips/trips (31%)	Long hours (29%)
Midlands	Stress (56%)	RSI (40%)	Back strains (35%)	Slips/trips (32%)	Lone working (28%)
South West	Stress (63%)	RSI (44%)	DSE (39%)	Slips/trips (31%)	Back strains (29%)
South East	Stress (61%)	RSI (41%)	DSE (37%)	Back strains (36%)	Long hours (29%)
East Anglia	Stress (56%)	RSI (44%)	Back strains (39%)	DSE (31%)	Slips/trips (28%)
London	Stress (60%)	DSE (46%)	RSI (42%)	Long hours (37%)	Back strains (28%)

Note: percentages exclude respondents who ticked more than five main hazards.

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