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Top three workplace hazards are getting worse

Nov 26 2004 by Nic Paton
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Stress, back pain and repetitive strain injuries are the three main health hazards facing modern day workers, the TUC has warned.

Its survey of more than 4,500 union safety reps showed stress up by two per cent over the past two years, RSI up three per cent and back strain up four per cent.

Almost one in 10 of those polled claimed their employer had never carried out a risk assessment of their workplace, even though they are required by law to do so.

Just over half – 53 per cent - of employers were said to have conducted an adequate risk assessment, although many had refused to involve union safety officials.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "The top five workplace hazards are all easily preventable, yet too few employers seem to be getting to grips with preventing accidents and ill health at work."

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