A new film launched by the British Safety Council shows how stress can lead to injury and fatalities at work, including through driving.

The British Safety Council ‘The Last Word’ film is intended to show the dangers of stress to young people, including through driving

The film is part of the British Safety Council campaign Speak Up, Stay Safe,  targeted at younger employees to raise their awareness of risks at work.

HSE figures show that in 2014/15, 440,000 people in the UK reported work-related stress at a level they believed was making them ill, equating to 40% of all work-related illness.

In addition, stress is believed to be a major cause of accidents in the workplace, with evidence showing that 60-80% of accidents are related to workplace stress.

Matthew Holder, head of campaigns and engagement at the British Safety Council, commented: “It is well documented that stress is a significant cause of sickness absence, undermining both productivity and profitability. What is less discussed is how stress can endanger lives. Evidence shows that stress significantly contributes to injuries in sectors such as construction, transport and agriculture.

“The film is also directed at employers, showing how important it is that managers and supervisors identify the symptoms of stress and help their staff to deal with it. As the film says, life can be stressful but people need to be aware of the danger signs.”