STRESS is now neck and neck with back problems as one of the primary causes of workplace sickness.

As employees get busier and workloads increase so does the level of stress.

As a result, companies are beginning to feel the heat and new ways are being found for employers to deal with causes.

Stress and its associated violence and aggression will be the subject of a talk by the Wiltshire Occupational Safety And Health Association at the Honda factory in South Marston tomorrow.

Derek Boulton, the chairman of WOSHA, said: "Stress is extremely topical at the moment.

"The problems of stress have been with us for nine, 10 years. Before that we heard little about it, as there was probably some stigma attached to it.

"It might have been considered slightly sissy if you could not deal with your workload, so you might have kept it under the table.

"But nowadays it is becoming more and more recognised so more guidance for management is required.

"Stress has increased, as businesses try to become more competitive, not only with each other but with businesses from other countries.

"Another element is our dependency on technology."

Violence and aggression will also be tackled in its various forms, including bullying from fellow work colleagues, to aggression possibly brought on by stress.

A talk about stress management will be given by Ian Greaves from the Chartered Institute Of Environmental Health, who will be promoting stress management training with a package he has developed for local authorities.

There will also be talk looking at the affects of the Disability Discrimination Act on businesses and on how they must be able to carry out reasonable adjustments to their facilities to allow improved access for people with disabilities.

There will also be a short presentation on the next phase of the building regulations.

Known as Document P, the new regulations look at electrical safety and the installation of electrical applications in homes and businesses depending on the voltage of the electrics being installed.

Mr Boulton said: "We would encourage many people to come along to our meeting, as it will bring people up-to-date in changes in the law."

The WOSHA meeting begins at 10am. To go along, call WOSHA's membership secretary Sarah Maisey on 07795 951879.