Stress off the rails

Nearly three-quarters (73%) of safety reps see overwork or stress as the number one workplace hazard on the railways. This is one of the main findings of a survey by rail union TSSA. Long hours (46%), violence or threats (42%) and the use of display screen equipment (42%) are also major concerns. TSSA general secretary Richard Rosser urged the employers to adopt the union's model stress policy and conduct risk assessments to eliminate or control stress.