The hidden workplace hazard

The effects of stress-related burnout on our health are well-documented but the danger to workplace safety has been largely overlooked. Experts are now highlighting the role of burnout in accidents and injuries within organisations and offering advice on reducing the risks.

Burnout is a state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion that occurs as a result of long-term workplace stress. Symptoms include extreme tiredness, insomnia, physical pain and persistent anxiety.

Some 91% of UK adults have experienced high or extreme levels of pressure over the past year, according to Mental Health UK’s Burnout Report, with one in four (23%) unable to manage their stress. The stress caused by burnout can lead to medical conditions such as high blood pressure and heart problems, stroke, depression and gastrointestinal issues.

But the effects also present a significant risk to workplace safety, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has warned. These include fatigue, which slows reaction times and reduces alertness and focus, as well as self-doubt, which can affect judgment. RoSPA said: “Burnout is not a problem with an employee’s work ethic; it is a problem caused by stressors in the workplace which have not been successfully managed by their employer.”

By preventing burnout, employers can reduce the risk of accidents. To help achieve this, Mental Health UK recommends having a strategy in place to protect employee mental health, senior leaders ‘championing’ work-life balance and ensuring workloads are reasonable.

“Burnout is often misunderstood and stigmatised,” RoSPA added. “This has to change, not only to protect employees’ health and wellbeing but also to prevent accidents and injuries occurring.”