Poor mental health can pose a number of risks in the workplace, as conditions such as stress or anxiety can impair concentration, decision-making, and the ability to work safely.
In order to protect their staff and keep their workplace safe, it is essential that employers support mental health at work.
How can stress increase the risk of accidents at work?
Stress can increase the risk of workplace accidents by reducing concentration and making mistakes more likely.
When someone is under prolonged pressure, they may become distracted, lose focus on the task at hand or find it harder to process information.
This can result in missed warning signs, forgotten safety checks or instructions being misunderstood.
In high-risk environments, even a small lapse in attention can have serious consequences. Stress can also disrupt sleep, leading to fatigue and slower reactions at work.
Together, reduced concentration, tiredness, poor decision-making and ineffective communication can make it harder for employees to recognise hazards and work safely.
What are an employer’s responsibilities for mental health at work?
Employers have a legal responsibility to protect employees mental as well as physical health at work.
Under health and safety law, they must assess work-related stress and other mental health risks, then take reasonable steps to remove or reduce any risks they identify.
Employers must also comply with the Equality Act 2010, which protects employees from discrimination and may require reasonable adjustments where a mental health condition meets the definition of a disability.
Adjustments could include flexible working hours, a phased return to work, changes to duties or workload, a quieter workspace, additional breaks or regular wellbeing check-ins.
Employers should respond to concerns promptly and take reasonable care to prevent foreseeable harm caused by excessive or prolonged workplace stress.
How can employers reduce mental health-related safety risks?
Employers can reduce mental health-related safety risks by treating stress and other psychological hazards as seriously as physical ones.
A stress risk assessment can help identify issues with workload, control, support, working relationships, role clarity and workplace change before they lead to mistakes, absence or accidents.
Employers should also encourage open conversations, make staff aware of support such as Mental Health First Aiders, and suggest speaking to a GP or NHS service when professional help may be needed.
Mind’s Mental Health at Work Commitment offers a simple, evidence-based framework built around six standards.
These include making mental health a priority, designing healthier roles and workplace cultures, encouraging openness, building managers’ confidence, providing practical support, and improving accountability.
Using these standards can give employers a clearer plan for creating a workplace where people feel supported and comfortable speaking up early.
How can WA Management help?
WA Management offer a Managing Mental Health online training course suitable for those in a management role, along with a general Mental Health Awareness course suitable for all employees including managers, to help identify and manage mental health and mental illness.
Diversity and Inclusion & Mental Health Awareness training courses are essential tools in protecting the mental health and wellbeing of your employees. Make sure you don’t miss out on our 10% off deal on these courses, available until the end of November. Simply enter the code ‘mentalhealth10’ at checkout to save!
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