hse stress piloteers programme and the new “management standards for work related stress”

HSE Stress Piloteers programme

and the new

“Management Standards for

Work Related Stress”Josey SnowdenHSE advisor

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HSE Stress Piloteers Programme and the new “Management Standards for Work Related

Stress”

Shell Global Solutions based at Cheshire Innovation Park Ellesmere Port next to the ‘Stanlow Oil Refinery’

Site consists of diverse Business Groups working to support Shell Global Solutions

Supported on site by a Facilities Management GroupPopulation on site approx 700

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HSE Stress Piloteers Programme and the new “Management Standards for Work Related Stress”

How did we get involved• Shell Global Solutions at CIP approached the HSE

before European Health & Safety Week 2002 to ask advice / guidance in how they deal with work place stress

• Potential for stress in the workplace recognised by Shell Global Solutions CIP. Policies already in place

• Attended first meeting agreed on a resolution to modify the original standard

• Prepared to co-operate with testing update standard

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Stress”Aims and Objectives of participating in

the pilot• To work with HSE to introduce proposed new

standard for industry• To identifying a pilot group at Cheshire Innovation

Park to test the proposed standard questionnaire • To identify any areas that may be of concern within

the pilot group• To identify any areas of the questionnaires or

feedback spread sheets that could be improved

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Stress”How did we launch the programme?• Identified a multi location office based group that

might be prepared to participate • Discussed the scheme with Business group leader

and team leaders - Sold the positive aspect of participating in the pilot scheme - agreed that they might benefit

• Attended team meeting personally – sold the concept to the staff present – Handed out first pass questionnaire and HSE supplied covering letter- short return time given

- Personal touch Important– recent questionnaire- possible excess

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Stress”How did we launch the programme?(cont.)• Followed up personal contact with e-mail note

explaining the process and asking for completed forms extended time for members that could not attend original meeting- holiday or working in different location

• Collated information into data summary spread sheets provided

• Areas of concern identified and discussed with department manager

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Stress”Piloteers First Pass Filter Questionnaire- Demands Often/ Sometimes/

Seldom/ Never- I am able to cope with the demands of my job

- Control- I am able to have a say over the way I do

my work- Support

- I believe that I receive adequate support and information from my colleagues and superiors

- Relationships- I am subjected to unacceptable behaviours

(e.g. bullying) at work- Role

- I understand my role and responsibilities withinthe organisation

- Change- The organisation engages staff frequently when

undertaking organisational change

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Stress”Next steps in the process• Fed back first pass results to staff at team meeting• Team requested extra second pass questionnaires • Feedback not as quick – smaller return• Feedback to the Business group manager -

identifying areas of concern• Ensured that time would be allocated for discussion

groups to be set up

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Stress”Concerns with the Piloteers questionnaires

• The results and cut off points in matrix - i.e.not recognising that Sometimes/ Seldom

could be an issue

• Challenged the validity of questions- e.g. I have a say in choosing with whom I work

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Stress”Where did we go from there?• Discussion groups were set up to identify areas for

improvement and how they can influence change • Manager and Team leaders – looking at cascade of

information regarding improving areas of concern• Working groups in progress and constructive

feedback has been given- Information cascaded upwards and within the group

• Feedback given to staff at regular team meetings

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Stress”Pro-active measures introduced by Shell

Global Solutions CIP

• In the process of training personnel with supervisory responsibilities how to identify the signs of stress within their colleagues

• All staff have been given the opportunity to attend a Stress awareness session presented by a Clinical Psychologist (over 550 already attended)

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•HSE Stress Piloteers Programme and the new

“Management Standards for Work Related Stress”

Management Standard Launched November 2004

• New improved questionnaire taken on board considering feedback from all sources

• No first and second pass – one stop shop• Questions integrated:- stressors not easily identified to

participant (eliminates targeting) • Results using traffic light system

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•HSE Stress Piloteers Programme and the new “Management Standards for Work Related Stress”

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Stress”Trialled the new standard• Small size group• Quick and easy to use• Participants happy to complete one questionnaire• Results easily understandable by all• Background information available to understand

issues• HSE web site lots of information and help• Initiating focus groups

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Stress”Management Standard workshop November

2005

Q: Why is it a standard not legislation?A: The legislation already exists

- Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974

2.-(1) It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees.

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Stress”- Management of Health and Safety at Work

Regulations 1999- Regulation 3 (duty to assess risk)- Regulation 4 and schedule 1 (principles of

prevention)- Regulation 13 (capability, training)- Regulation 19 (young people)“When allocating work to employees, employers

should ensure that the demands of the job do not exceed the employees’ ability to carry out the work without risk to themselves or others. …Employers should review their employees’ capabilities to carry out their work, as necessary.”

- Employee consultation regulations

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Stress”What do the Standards offer?• They offer a means to identify areas of stress within

the workforce• They are easy to use, and enables people to be

honest as it is completed anonymously• They allow you to address the significant areas of

stress as well as identifying any potential areas of stress

• These standards are not the only solution if you have something that is equal or better which addresses the issue of workplace stress then use it

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Stress”

Q: What do you do when a person returns to work after sustaining a back injury?

A:Reassess the work they are doing and make provision to avoid a reoccurrence

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Stress”

Q: What do you do when a person returns from work after suffering from Stress? ( Sutherland-v- Hatton )

A: Exactly as you would for the person with the bad back

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Stress”

UK HSE Definition of stress

"the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed on them".

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Stress”

hse stress piloteers programme and the new “management standards for work related stress”

Documents

new management standards

work related stresshow

work related stresspiloteers

work related stressaims

pilotto work

work related stressnext

proposed new standard

work place stresspotential