Occupational Health and Safety

Occupational Health

An area of work in public health to promote and maintain highest degree of physical, mental and social well- being of workers in all occupations

Stress Defined

as a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. It is a
natural human response that prompts us to address challenges and threats in our lives.

Strains

If these physical reactions occur for periods longer than our body can tolerate, negative physical and psychological consequences can occur.

Eustress

Stress that results in positive energy and improvements in performance and health. An example of eustress at work is taking on a new project that encourages you to leverage existing strengths

Distress

Stress that results in negative energy and decreases in performance and health. Happens when there is too much stress and when nothing is done to eliminate, reduce, or counteract its effects. A person might feel under pressure if the demands of their job (such as hours or responsibilities) are greater than they
can comfortably manage.

Personal Stressors

deal with such nonwork issues as family and intimate relationships, marriage, divorce, health issues, financial problems, and raising children. Difficult and angry people are also sources of stress because of the conflict they cause in our personal and work lives

Fear

When we voluntarily or involuntarily leave a stage of our lives that has become comfortable and predictable, we enter another stage in which we don’t know what will happen. The challenge and potential excitement from the change can produce eustress in people who thrive on unpredictability.

Resistance

• A good illustration of resistance to change is holding on to old
traditions that are no longer feasible.
• Resisting change doesn’t allow people to cope with inevitable
changes that come from living. This resistance leads to stress.

Role Conflict

Occurs when our work expectations and what we think we should be doing don’t match up with the work we have to do

Role Ambiguity

Occurs when an individual’s job duties and performance expectations are not clearly defined

Role Overload

Develops when individuals either feel they lack the skills or workplace resources to complete a task or perceive that the task cannot be done in the required amount of time.

Relation with Others

Our co-workers and customers can be a major source of workplace stress

Organizational Politics

are self-serving behaviors employees use to increase the probability of obtaining positive outcomes in organizations

Positive politics

are behaviors designed to influence others with the goal of helping both the organization and the person playing the politics (Ex. portraying a professional image, publicizing one’s accomplishments, volunteering, and complimenting others.)

Negative politics

are manipulative behaviors designed to achieve personal gain at the expense of others and the organization (Ex. backstabbing, withholding important information from others, and spreading rumors.)

Job Performance

high levels of stress reduce performance on many tasks.

Burnout

The state of being overwhelmed by stress, is usually experienced by highly motivated professionals faced with high work demands. People who feel burned out lack energy and are filled with frustration and tension. Emotional symptoms of
burnout include a loss of interest in work, decreased work performance, feelings of helplessness, and trouble sleeping.

Absenteeism & Turnover

Absenteeism and turnover, resulting in loss of productivity and subsequently revenues, are highest during times of burnout and increased stress as employees struggle to deal with physical and emotional ailments.

Drug and Alcohol Use

Unfortunately, as stress levels rise and anger increases, often so does
the abuse of drugs and alcohol. Most incidents of domestic and other
types of violence occur after an individual has been drinking or using
drugs.

Diathesis Stress Model

• It is a very simplistic view of stress and how psychological disorders develop
• It says that psychological disorders result from a predisposing or present vulnerability and its interaction to external stressors.

Diathesis

refers to a predisposition or vulnerability to developing a mental disorder. This can be due to genetic factors, early life experiences, or other biological susceptibilities.

Stress

Stress refers to the environmental factors that trigger the onset of mental illness or exacerbate existing conditions. These can include significant life events, trauma, and daily stressors.

General adaptation syndrome (GAS)

describes the process your body goes through when you are exposed to any kind of stress, positive or negative.

phase 1, Alarm Reaction, the resistance to stress is minimal

At this stage, the sympathetic nervous system is activated.

In phase 2, Resistance, the response or resistance to stress remains high until they reach the last phase

Prolonged levels of high stress can cause disturbances in the immune,
digestive, cardiovascular, sleep, and reproductive systems.

Enduring stressors without relief drains your physical, emotional, and mental resources to the point where your body is no longer able to cope with stress.