Stress, back pain and repetitive strain injuries are the three main health hazards facing modern workers, the TUC has concluded.
Its survey of more than 4,500 union safety representatives showed stress up by 2 per cent over the past two years, RSI up 3 per cent and back strain up 4 per cent.
Almost one in 10 of those polled claimed their employer had never carried out a risk assessment of their workplace, which is a legal requirement.
Just over half – 53 per cent – of employers had 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.”
Other safety concerns raised by the TUC included the use of computer display screen equipment, long hours and violence against workers.
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