Posted By Hilary Charlton Recommend you consult an occupational health specialist/retained doctor or someone with this level of expertise. An H&S Practitioner cannot be expected to understand what makes individuals "tick" and what might be stress to one is lifeblood to another. A procedure for stress is a good idea, issued to all members of staff so that they understand if they are feeling stressed they must tell the H&S and/or HR person. At this point you call in the medical expert for a consultation and ensure you understand where the feeling of stress is coming from, then you can complete your assessment in conjunction with the medical practitioner and ascertain what action should be taken to reduce the feelings of stress. Unless you know of a particularly stressful job or period in time and the persons unique make up, then you cannot possibly risk assess this in advance as there are so many personal factors to be taken into account which can give so many variables to any result. Hope this helps. Hilary

Posted By peter gotch Emma You could look at Business Health Group plc, and their pressure profile programme. See www.bhgplc.com Good luck, Peter

Posted By Eric Burt Emma At last weeks IOSH conference in Glasgow, a representative from Robertson Cooper Ltd gave a talk about dealing with stress in the workplace and he was excellent. You may have heard of Professor Carey Cooper - he is a leading light in management circles, and it is his company. They have produced a training pack called Underpressure - successfully coping with stress - practical solutions for individuals. They start with stress policies and manangement strategies so it is a structured approach. Their website is www.robertsoncooper.com I haven't previewed the demo CD yet, but the info that comes with it is quite good. Eric

Posted By Robert M Edwards I have arranged for some details to be sent to you direct Emma but would caution a direct risk assessment by occupational health professionals as a starting point. The intrusion of this sort of risk assesment procedure is declinable through Human Rights legislation by employees adn often causes additional stress in itself! If you already have a stressed member of staff then the courts through the judgment in Hatton and subsequent cass have outlined the procedure to protect the employee and mitigate further risk to both the employer and employee. If you believe that stress in the workplace exists as opposed to pressure (which is deemed healthy). Stress is defined here as unhealthy volumes of pressure leading to illhealth, then the best risk assessment is 360% feedback by all employees in all areas. The data fed back into the system from this sort of survey is useful and can instigate, if properly used real change for the good. I have a backlog of items for despatch one on manual handling will be completed this month as we have more case law to add, and stress at work Post Hatton is also finalised due to the Appeal last month which has again raised the issue of forseeability. I raise the issue here as if you directly intervene by intrusive stress testing of staff, you raise serious questions immediately as to appropriate action to be taken so the defence of forseeability would be compromised.

Posted By Fraser Dalziel Hi Emma, A company you may like to check out, I didn't get them to do an audit but their training course was quite enlightening. Website: www.in-equilibrium.co.uk Good luck, Fraser