SME managers who work in the construction industry are being advised to consider work-related stress among its top health priorities following the findings of a new report.

In a new study carried out for the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), it was discovered that of 1,000 respondents to an industry survey, around five per cent reported experiencing stress, depression or anxiety at work.

Some of the top cited stressful aspects of work were danger at work, working long hours, having too much to do in too little time and being responsible for the safety of others.

Traditionally, muscoskeletal disorders have been the most pressing health concern for construction industry workers, but HSE is now advising bosses to consider stress more seriously as a top cause of ill health among industry workers.

"It used to be RSI [Repetitive Strain Injury] - people getting wrist strain from using computers," said a spokesperson for HSE.

"That has now left the current mindset, and there are a lot of issues around stress. So it is taken extremely seriously, under stress management."

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