Stress in the Work Environment

This chapter describes the stressors that exist in working environment. Many work environments require constant artificial lighting. It is therefore important that a system creates a pleasant environment which facilitates performance and promotes safety. Adequate illumination is also an obvious factor associated with safe working. Hellesoy et al found that sleep problems were indicative of the strains of the offshore work environment. Personnel claim that they wake up tired, or wake up and have trouble going back to sleep. The source of stress for shift workers may exacerbate other stress factors in the work environment; for example, irritability with other employees and intolerance of the physical conditions at work. By adopting an Awareness-Analysis-Action approach to stress management, both the individual and the organisation can realistically begin to tackle occupational stress in the work environment. As Levi suggests, “much can be accomplished through two universally available measurements and intervention tools, namely listening and speaking.