Mental Health and Safety

The research also highlights the disproportionate impact of cost-of-living pressures and financial difficulties on the mental health of younger generations, with more than half (59%) of Gen Z workers reporting that they are currently experiencing anxiety or depression, a figure which reduces through the generations, affecting less than one in five (18%) of Baby Boomers.

Overall, more than a third (37%) of employees say that cost-of-living pressures and financial difficulties are affecting their mental health and wellbeing – with sleep (46%), focus (44%), decision-making (26%) and communication (23%) all being negatively impacted as a result, which has the potential to impact physical safety.

But whilst a growing focus on mental health and wellbeing within the sphere of workplace health and safety is clear to see, the research points to the potential for other safety issues to be overlooked as a result, with mental health and wellbeing seen as now being prioritised above issues such as asbestos risks, fire safety and working at height.

Matthew Bedford, Managing Director of Draeger Safety UK, Ltd, said: “Five decades after it was introduced, it is perhaps unsurprising that so many people feel that approaches to Health & Safety need a rethink given the changes in working practices as well as the rising prevalence of mental ill health over the last five years, not to mention 50 years.”

“However, whilst it is clear that the issue of mental ill health is a key consideration for the future of health and safety in UK workplaces, it is vital that other, crucially important health and safety issues are not forgotten.”

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