It’s no secret that plumbing can be a very stressful job. Time constraints and high workloads, competing demands and potentially dangerous situations can all combine to create high pressure environments that negatively influence workers’ health and wellbeing.
Workplace stress affects a huge number of workers in the UK, with stress-related illness affecting over 500,000 workers last year. In the past year, 74% of workers reported feeling “so stressed they have been overwhelmed or unable to cope”. Construction and plumbing professionals have a higher than average rate of stress-related issues, but more than half say they do “little to nothing”outside of work to relieve their stress levels.
Managers should be aware of the signs of stress in their teams and work to minimise this wherever possible. Stress, depression and anxiety account for around 40% of all work-related illnesses and almost half of working days lost to ill health, so this topic needs to be treated with the highest levels of importance. Employers have a legal and moral duty to take all the steps they can to reduce the risks their workforce face, and this applies to stress risks as much as physical safety concerns.
For those working alone or in a freelance capacity, it is especially important for them to monitor their own workload and working conditions for anything that could cause problematic stress.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways for plumbers to control their stress levels. If the stress is caused by a particular issue in your workplace, look for practical ways to lessen that danger or at least minimise it, if it can’t be avoided entirely. Avoid taking on so much work that you don’t have any spare time during the week, as this can cause stress and lead to burnout. Engaging in stress-busting activities outside of work – like hobbies, spending quality time with family and friends or doing exercise – can help tremendously. Whatever your job role, taking time to recharge is of vital importance.
Darren Hockley is MD of health and safety provider DeltaNet International
Add new comment