Yan PWT

CHAPTER 7
Stress and Safety

Major topics:
 workplace stress defined
 sources of workplace stress
 Human reaction to workplace stress
 measurement of workplace stress
 Improving safety by reducing workplace stress

Stress is a pathological, and therefore generally undesirable, human
reaction to psychological, social, occupational, or environmental
stimuli.
Stress has been defined as the reaction of the human organism

to a threatening situation. The stressor is an external stimuli and
stress is the response of the human body to the stimuli
This is a clinical definition of stress, other definitions relate more
directly to workplace stress. The National Institute for Occupational
Safety and health (NIOSH) defines job stress as “ the harmful physical
and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do
not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker”.
Corporation tend to see stress as an individually based

problems that is rooted in an employee’s lifestyle,
psychological makeup, and personality.
Unions view stress as the result of excessive demands, poor
supervision, or conflicting demands.
Sources of workplace stress:
The sources of on-the-job stress may involve physical working conditions, work
overload, role ambiguity, lack of feedback, personality, personal and family
problems, or role conflict. Other sources of workplace are in the following:
 Task complexity
 Control
 Feeling of responsibility
 job security
 Organizational Culture
 Work schedule
 Home and family problems
 work relationships
 human resource management (HRM) issues
 workload demands
 Psychological support
 lack of environmental safety
Common causes of stress in the workplace:
 the company was recently purchased by another company

 downsizing or layoffs have occurred in the past year
 employee benefits were significantly cut recently
 the sequences have little control over how they do their
work
 the consequences of making a mistake on the job are
severe
 workloads vary greatly
 most work is machine-paced or fast-paced
 workers must react quickly and accurately to changing
conditions
 personal conflicts on the job are common
 few opportunities for advancement are available
 pay is below the going rate
 employees are rotated among shifts
Human reactions to workplace stress
Human reactions to workplace stress mat be grouped into the following

categories:
 subjective or emotional ( anxiety, aggression, guilt )

 behavioral ( being prone to accidents, trembling )
 cognitive ( inability to concentrate or make decisions )
 physiological ( increased heart rate and blood pressure )
 organizational ( absenteeism and poor productivity )
Initially the effects may be psychomatic, but with continuous stress,
the symptoms show up as actual organic dysfunction. The most
common forms of stress-related diseases are gastrointestinal.
Particularly gastric or duodenal ulcer.
M. Selye identified three stages of the human response.
1. Alarm
2. Resistance
3. Exhaustion
The alarm reaction occurs when the stress of a threat is sensed.
The stage of alarm is characterized by pallor, sweating, and an
increased heart rate. This stage is usually short. It prepares the body
for whatever action is necessary.
When the stress is maintained, the stage of resistance initiates a

greater physical response. The alarm symptoms dissipate, and the
body develops an adaptation of stress. The capacity of adaptation
during this stage is limited.
Eventually, with sustained stress, the stage of exhaustion is
reached. This stage is demonstrated by the body’s failure to
adapt to the continued stress. Psychomatic diseases such as
gastric ulcer, colitis, rashes, and autoimmune disorders may
begin during this stage. The tendency to develop a specific
stress related disease may be partially predetermined by
heredity, personal habits such as smoking, and personality.
Measurement of workplace stress
Workplace stress can be seen as an individual’s psychological

reaction to the work environment. Although psychological response
cannot be directly measured in physical terms, one method commonly
employed uses a measurement of mental workload. Mental workload
can be measured in one of three ways.
1. Subjective Ratings
2. Behavioral time sharing
3. Psychophysiological techniques
Improving safety by reducing workplace stress
The following strategies are recommended for reducing workplace stress:
 management recognizes workplace stress and takes steps regularly to

reduce this stress.
 mental health benefits are provided in the employee’s health insurance
coverage
 The employer has a formal employee communication programs
 employees are given information on how to cope with stress
 workers have current, accurate, and clear job description
 management and employees talk openly with one another
 employees are free to talk with each other during work
 employers are recognized and rewarded for their contributions
 work rules are published and are the same for everyone
 child care programs are available
 Employees can work flexible hours
 perks are granted fairly based on a person’s level of organization
 workers have a place and time to relax during workday
 elder care programs are available
 employee’s work spaces are not crowded
 workers can put up personal items in their work areas
 management appreciates humor in the workplace
Writing for occupational Hazards S.L. Smith recommends the following
additional ways to reduce stress in the workplace.
 match workload and pace to the training and abilities of employees

 make an effort to match work schedules with the personal lives of
employees
 clearly define work roles
 before giving employees additional duties beyond their normal work
roles, make sure they receive their necessary training.
 promote teamwork among employees and encourage it throughout the
organization
 involve employees in making decisions that will affect them

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CHAPTER 7

Stress and Safety

 workplace stress defined

 sources of workplace stress

 Human reaction to workplace stress

 measurement of workplace stress

 Improving safety by reducing workplace stress

Stress has been defined as the reaction of the human organism

Corporation tend to see stress as an individually based

 the company was recently purchased by another company

Human reactions to workplace stress mat be grouped into the following

 subjective or emotional ( anxiety, aggression, guilt )

When the stress is maintained, the stage of resistance initiates a

Workplace stress can be seen as an individual’s psychological

The following strategies are recommended for reducing workplace stress:

 management recognizes workplace stress and takes steps regularly to

 match workload and pace to the training and abilities of employees

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