National Health and Safety Function, ERAS, Human Resources Division

Sample Health & Safety Risk Assessment Form

Ref: CF:013:00 RE: Workplace Stress Risk Assessment Form
Issue date: October 2015 Review date: October 2017
Author(s): National Health & Safety Function, ERAS, HR and Organisational Psychology Unit, HR, HSE West
Legislation: Under Section 19 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 and associated Regulations, it is the duty of the employer
to identify the hazards and assess the associated risks in the workplace. All risk assessments must be in writing and the necessary
control measures to eliminate or minimise the risks documented and implemented
Notes: It is the responsibility of local management to implement any remedial actions identified
To assist in carrying out the risk assessment, guidance on completing a Workplace Stress Risk Assessment is included
Work related stressors are grouped into Management standards i.e. demands, control, support, relationships, role, change
OQR010 - Developing and Populating a Risk Register Best Practice Guidance
See also HSE Policies and associated guidelines: Prevention and Management of Stress in the Workplace; and Preventing &
Managing Critical Incident Stress

Sample Workplace Stress: Risk Assessment Form Part 1 of 3 (The example given in this risk assessment is for demonstration purposes only)
Administration Area: HCO 0 Source of Risk: risk assessment process
Location: Another Hospital Primary Risk Category: Human Resources
Section/Ward/Dept: Red Ward Secondary Risk Category: Employee safety health & welfare
Assessment type: Individual Group Tertiary Risk Category: Workload/staffing/safe systems of work

( as appropriate) Name of Risk Owner (BLOCKS): Mary Poppins, CNM2
If individual assessment, specify employees name: Signature of Risk Owner:

Date of Assessment: 14/12/2015

Unique ID No: 012345 Review Date: 01/12/2015

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 Sample Workplace Stress: Risk Assessment Form Part 2 of 3

Was there a specific issue/incident that triggered this risk assessment? Complaints from staff re feeling of stress caused by excessive demands /workload.

Potential work related stressors Employees concerns Existing controls/What is happening now?
Demands
What is causing you to feel under excessive pressure at work? Hard to manage extra work demands e.g. HIQA
recommendations & introducing more activities for
service users with existing staff cover of 1:2 Nurse/ Care
Staff. Only one staff member can leave unit to help with
activities.

Daily work duties very demanding as all service users

are high dependent difficult to set time aside to do
other work e.g. review and update care plans. When
crisis arises little support from management.
What are key aspects of your role/ job description? To provide nursing care to patients (high dependent) N/a
Are you clear on service priorities? How do you prioritise your Very little control over work duties due to the changing Priorities identified at handover, Using SBAR format
daily work duties? patient profile. Handover can be rushed due to clinical for reporting.
demands.
Are you clear on work deadlines and are they realistic? These keep changing Adaptation to work demands required daily. Bed
management involved in patient transfer.
Do you feel you have the right skills & knowledge to do your Yes N/a
job?
Have you the resources you need to do your job? No Skill mix is reviewed per shift where possible.
Process in place for requesting additional assistance
when work demands increase.
Do you find your work boring or repetitive? No N/a
Control
Are you clear about who does what in your Dept/area? Yes N/a
Do I, as your manager, give you enough guidance & support? No None
Do you have opportunities to develop your skills/ use your Yes n/a
initiative?

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 Have you any flexibility in when you take your breaks/Annual No None staff cannot take annual leave when desired
Leave? or if at all. Very difficult to take TOIL accrued from
working overtime. Staff asked on short notice to
work overtime while on off-duty. As a result many
staff working up to 5/ 6 long days in a row;
unhealthy and exhausting. Staff feel very aggrieved
that leave not given to them even when requested
weeks in advance.

Support
Is there good communication in your Dept/area? e.g. One-to- No. Team meetings have ceased to occur Communication book available
one meetings with manager/ team meetings?
Are your work colleagues supportive? Yes N/a
Do you require further training / skills development? No N/a
Are there pressures outside work that are affecting you at No N/a
work?
Would you like support to deal with these pressures?
Are your aware of HSE employee supports available? Do you No N/a
need information on how to access any of them?

Sample Workplace Stress: Risk Assessment Form Part 2 of 3 (Continued)

Relationships

Are there any issues or tensions within your team/service? Yes. Most staff feel that the provision of annual leave is None
unfair and that some staff are not asked to do their fair
share of over time.
Have you seen any bullying/harassing behaviour in your No Implementation of the Dignity at work Policy, Dignity
team? at Work Support Contact persons details available in
HR file in CNMs office.
Employee Assistance available at ext 1234
Do you have difficulty working with anyone? Manager/ No
colleague/ other health care worker?
Do you and your work colleagues support each other? Yes
What is morale like within your team? Low because of lack of breaks, annual leave Annual Leave request calendar in office.
opportunities and lack of feedback.

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 Role

Do you feel you have been properly inducted into your role? Yes but new staff have a formal induction programme
but onsite mentoring difficult to implement due to work
demands.
Do you understand your role? Yes
Do you have a clear reporting structure? Yes
Do you know what is expected of you at work? Yes
Have you work demands that are outside/conflict with your No
role?
Change
Is there a lot of change in your service? Yes on a daily basis, can be requested to provide cover Bed management oversee bed allocation
in different departments where we may not have
enough skills in this clinical area. Disruptive for service
users & patients
Have you had an opportunity to discuss/comment on these No Communication book located in CNM office
changes within your service e.g. at team meetings?
Am I, as your manager, supporting you enough in this No None
change?
Do your colleagues/team provide support through the Yes
change?
Is there further information/support you require? Yes better communication and involvement from bed
management when allocating patient beds being
mindful of existing work demands.
Team meetings necessary to ensure proper and formal
communication with staff.
Other Stressors

Are there any other issues that you would like to raise?

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 Sample Workplace Stress : Risk Assessment Form Part 3 of 3
One primary source of stress per form

Management Standard(s) under which further action is required ( as appropriate)

Demands Control Support Rela>onships Role Change

Unique Id Number:012345
PERSON
EXISTING CONTROL ADDITIONAL CONTROLS DUE
HAZARD & RISK DESCRIPTION IMPACTS/VUNERABILITIES RESPONSIBLE
MEASURES REQUIRED DATE
FOR ACTION
Emotional distress, Impaired As per risk assessment checklist Investigate the possibility of having 2 January
Risk of psychosocial injury to staff Mary Ryan
psychosocial functioning greater above. floating staff on campus to help staff 2016
due to workload pressures,
than one month and less than six working in units when activities are CNM2 and
unrealistic work deadlines, lack of
months. planned. employees
resources.
Have a daily review of work demands Immed
in units in order to provide adequate
cover for busier times.

Review time for handover - bring Immed

forward by ten minutes to ensure
that this time is protected. Identify
work priorities, safety issues at
handover and ensure that adequate
time given.

INITIAL RISK RESIDUAL RISK STATUS

Likelihood Impact Initial Risk Rating Likelihood Impact Residual Risk Rating
5 3 15 (High) 3 3 9 (Medium) open

15 10 15 Final Draft National Workplace Stress Risk Assessment Form Page 5

 Sample Workplace Stress : Risk Assessment Form Part 3 of 3
One primary source of stress per form

Management Standard(s) under which further action is required ( as appropriate)

Demands Control Support Rela>onships Role Change

Unique Id Number:012345
PERSON
EXISTING CONTROL ADDITIONAL CONTROLS DUE
HAZARD & RISK DESCRIPTION IMPACTS/VUNERABILITIES RESPONSIBLE
MEASURES REQUIRED DATE
FOR ACTION
Emotional distress, Impaired As per risk assessment checklist Reinstall the team meetings January
Poor working relationship may Mary Ryan
psychosocial functioning greater above. (quarterly), have standing agenda 2016
cause psychosocial harm to staff
than one month and less than six items at meeting such as H&S and CNM2 and
who feel that there is poor
months. staff concerns. employees
communication from management
Use communication book more
and a lack of feedback.
effectively to demonstrate that
issues raised are being followed-up
and discussed. Immed
Have minutes of meeting available
for all staff including those on nights
and weekends etc.
Have a ward suggestion box available
for staff to give them an avenue to Immed
highlight issues.
Unit staff and CNMs to discuss
openly service developments and
hear of other developments taking
place on campus.

INITIAL RISK RESIDUAL RISK STATUS

Likelihood Impact Initial Risk Rating Likelihood Impact Residual Risk Rating open
5 3 15 (High) 3 3 9 (Medium)

15 10 15 Final Draft National Workplace Stress Risk Assessment Form Page 6

 Sample Workplace Stress : Risk Assessment Form Part 3 of 3
One primary source of stress per form

Management Standard(s) under which further action is required ( as appropriate)

Demands Control Support Rela>onships Role Change

Unique Id Number:012345
PERSON
EXISTING CONTROL ADDITIONAL CONTROLS DUE
HAZARD & RISK DESCRIPTION IMPACTS/VUNERABILITIES RESPONSIBLE
MEASURES REQUIRED DATE
FOR ACTION
Emotional distress, Impaired None Quarterly team meetings to January
Risk of psychosocial injury to staff, Mary Ryan
psychosocial functioning greater reconvene. Each meeting will be 2016
due to lack of control regarding
than one month and less than six minuted and responsible persons CNM2 and
some aspects of their work
months. identified for each action. Actions employees
activities.
agreed at each meeting will be
reviewed to ensure they are
implemented in a timely manner.
Feb
Mary Ryan
Each member of staff will have an 2016
individual work plan developed CNM2 and
outlining goals, objectives and employees
actions for the coming months. The
Line Manager will meet individually
with each member of the team on a
monthly basis to review progress and
to allow an opportunity for staff to
raise issues with their Manager.

INITIAL RISK RESIDUAL RISK STATUS

Likelihood Impact Initial Risk Rating Likelihood Impact Residual Risk Rating
5 3 15 (High) 3 3 9 (Medium)

15 10 15 Final Draft National Workplace Stress Risk Assessment Form Page 7

 Sample Workplace Stress : Risk Assessment Form Part 3 of 3
One primary source of stress per form

Management Standard(s) under which further action is required ( as appropriate)

Demands Control Support Rela>onships Role Change

Unique Id Number:012345
PERSON
EXISTING CONTROL ADDITIONAL CONTROLS DUE
HAZARD & RISK DESCRIPTION IMPACTS/VUNERABILITIES RESPONSIBLE
MEASURES REQUIRED DATE
FOR ACTION
The Manager will consider engaging March
CONTD Mary Ryan
in training for Mentoring and/or 2016
Coaching to enable them to support CNM2 and
the team as part of their own on - employees
going management/leadership
development.

Review Service arrangements for Immedi

Mary Ryan
taking of leave and provide cover ate
CNM2 & Ann
arrangements.
Fox ADON
All staff to be consulted with when
organising the annual leave calendar.
Breaks to be co-ordinated effectively
to ensure all staff receive
appropriate breaks

INITIAL RISK RESIDUAL RISK STATUS

Likelihood Impact Initial Risk Rating Likelihood Impact Residual Risk Rating
5 3 15 (High) 3 3 9 (Medium) open

15 10 15 Final Draft National Workplace Stress Risk Assessment Form Page 8

 Sample Workplace Stress : Risk Assessment Form Part 3 of 3
One primary source of stress per form

Management Standard(s) under which further action is required ( as appropriate)

Demands Control Support Rela>onships Role Change

Unique Id Number:012345
PERSON
EXISTING CONTROL ADDITIONAL CONTROLS DUE
HAZARD & RISK DESCRIPTION IMPACTS/VUNERABILITIES RESPONSIBLE
MEASURES REQUIRED DATE
FOR ACTION
Emotional distress, Impaired As per risk assessment checklist In addition to the formal induction January
Risk of psychosocial injury to staff Mary Ryan
psychosocial functioning greater above. programme ensure adequate time is 2016
due to lack of clarity regarding
than one month and less than six allocated to mentoring, to ensure all CNM2
roles and responsibilities.
months. new staff understand their roles,
responsibilities and systems in place
locally to respond to any individual
concerns.

INITIAL RISK RESIDUAL RISK STATUS

Likelihood Impact Initial Risk Rating Likelihood Impact Residual Risk Rating
3 2 6 (Medium) 2 2 4 (Low) open

15 10 15 Final Draft National Workplace Stress Risk Assessment Form Page 9

 Sample Workplace Stress : Risk Assessment Form Part 3 of 3
One primary source of stress per form

Management Standard(s) under which further action is required ( as appropriate)

Demands Control Support Rela>onships Role Change

Unique Id Number:012345
PERSON
EXISTING CONTROL ADDITIONAL CONTROLS DUE
HAZARD & RISK DESCRIPTION IMPACTS/VUNERABILITIES RESPONSIBLE
MEASURES REQUIRED DATE
FOR ACTION
Emotional distress, Impaired As per risk assessment checklist Timely bed allocation wherever Immedi
Risk of psychosocial injury to staff Mary Ryan
psychosocial functioning greater above. possible to take account of current ately
due to the changes taking place in
than one month and less than six workloads CNM2 and
the service
months. employees
Changes and implications of such
change discussed at team meetings Immedi
ately

INITIAL RISK RESIDUAL RISK STATUS

Likelihood Impact Initial Risk Rating Likelihood Impact Residual Risk Rating
5 3 15 (High) 3 3 9 (Medium) open

15 10 15 Final Draft National Workplace Stress Risk Assessment Form Page 10

 Sample Workplace Stress : Risk Assessment Form Part 3 of 3
One primary source of stress per form

Management Standard(s) under which further action is required ( as appropriate)

Demands Control Support Relationships Role Change

Unique Id Number:012345
PERSON
HAZARD & RISK DESCRIPTION EXISTING CONTROL ADDITIONAL CONTROLS DUE
IMPACTS/VUNERABILITIES RESPONSIBLE
MEASURES REQUIRED DATE
FOR ACTION
Emotional distress Impaired As per risk assessment checklist Re introduction of regular team Immedi
Risk of psychosocial injury to staff Mary Ryan
psychosocial functioning greater above. meetings ately
due to reduction in team
than one month and less than six CNM2 and
communications within the service
months. employees

INITIAL RISK RESIDUAL RISK STATUS

Likelihood Impact Initial Risk Rating Likelihood Impact Residual Risk Rating
4 3 12 (Medium) 1 3 3 (Low) Open

15 10 15 Final Draft National Workplace Stress Risk Assessment Form Page 11