OSHA ASSIGNMENT In the present economic condition, personal problems that people have at home and workplace are

seen to be rising and intense stress to employees as well as employers. Excessive stress interferes with productivity and reduces physical and emotional health. Thus it is important to find way to keep control. REQUIREMENT 1. Define what stress is 2. Literature review of workplace stress 3. As an employer how can you identify the warning signs and symptoms of workplace stress. Explain. 4. Examine and elaborate the possible accidents that might happen at a workplace as a result of stress. 5. Propose suitable methods that can reduce job stress at the workplace.

INTRODUCTION

THE NATURE AND ROLE OF SAFETY AND HEALTH

Safety involves protecting employees from injuries caused by work-related accidents. Health refers to employees' freedom from physical or emotional illness. Although line managers are primarily responsible for maintaining a safe and healthy work environment, human resource professionals provide staff expertise to help them deal with these issues. The human resource manager is frequently

responsible for co-ordinating and monitoring specific programs

WORKPLACE SAFETY AND THE LAW

The government has passed numerous laws to regulate safety and health in the workplace. Before the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) was passed by Parliament in 1994, the Factories and Machinery Act, 1967 (FMA) regulated safety in the workplace through the Factories and Machinery Department. To deal with health-related matters, the Employees Social Security Act 1969, which establishes and insurance scheme for workers was introduced. The Workmens Compensation Act 1952 ensures that foreign workers are provided with insurance coverage.

WHAT IS STRESS?

While some workplace stress is normal, excessive stress can interfere with your productivity and impact your physical and emotional health. And your ability to deal with it can mean the difference between success or failure. Y ou cant control everything in your work environment, but that doesnt mean youre powerlesseven when youre stuck in a difficult situation. Finding ways to manage workplace stress isnt about making huge changes or rethinking career ambitions, but rather about focusing on the one thing thats always within your control.

Stress, Burnout, and Depression Stress, Burnout, and Depression can sometimes lead to problems such as alcoholism and drug abuse, which are problematic for the employee and employer.

A variety of external environmental factors can lead to job stress. Personal factors also influence stress whereby no two people react to the same job in the very same way.

Human consequences of stress include anxiety, depression, anger, and various physical consequences.

Organizational consequences include reductions in the quantity and quality of job performance, increased absenteeism and turnover, increased grievances, and increased health care costs. Stress is not necessarily

dysfunctional; it can lead some people to be more productive and/or creative.

Coping with work stress in todays uncertain climate For workers everywhere, the troubled economy may feel like an emotional roller coaster. "Layoffs" and "budget cuts" have become bywords in the workplace, and the result is increased fear, uncertainty, and higher levels of stress. Since job and workplace stress increase in times of economic crisis, its important to learn new and better ways of coping with the pressure. Your emotions are contagious, and stress has an impact on the quality of your interactions with others. The better you are at managing your own stress, the more you'll positively affect those around you, and the less other people's stress will negatively affect you.

How to manage job stress There are a variety of steps you can take to reduce both your overall stress levels and the stress you find on the job and in the workplace. These include:

Taking responsibility for improving your physical and emotional well-being. Avoiding pitfalls by identifying knee jerk habits and negative attitudes that add to the stress you experience at work.

Learning

better

communication

skills to

ease

and

improve

your

relationships with management and coworkers.

Recognize warning signs of excessive stress at work

When you feel overwhelmed at work, you lose confidence and may become irritable or withdrawn. This can make you less productive and less effective in your job, and make the work seem less rewarding. If you ignore the warning signs of work stress, they can lead to bigger problems. Beyond interfering with job performance and satisfaction, chronic or intense stress can also lead to physical and emotional health problems.

Signs and symptoms of excessive job and workplace stress

Feeling depressed

anxious,

irritable,

or

Muscle tension or headaches Stomach problems Social withdrawal Loss of sex drive Using alcohol or drugs to cope

Apathy, loss of interest in work Problems sleeping Fatigue Trouble concentrating

LITERATURE REVIEW OF WORKPLACE STRESS

When stress at work interferes with your ability to perform in your job, manage your personal life, or adversely impacts your health, its time to take action. Start by paying attention to your physical and emotional health. When your own needs are taken care of, youre stronger and more resilient to stress. The better you feel, the better equipped youll be to manage work stress without becoming overwhelmed. Taking care of yourself doesnt require a total lifestyle overhaul. Even small things can lift your mood, increase your energy, and make you feel like youre back in the drivers seat. Take things one step at a time, and as you make more positive lifestyle choices, youll soon notice a reduction in your stress levels, both at home and at work.

Get moving Regular exercise is a powerful stress relievereven though it may be the last thing you feel like doing. Aerobic exerciseactivity that raises your heart rate and makes you sweatis a hugely effective way to lift your mood, increase energy, sharpen focus, and relax both the mind and body. For maximum stress relief, try to get at least 30 minutes of heart-pounding activity on most days. If its easier to fit into your schedule, break up the activity into two or three shorter segments. Make food choices that keep you going Low blood sugar can make you feel anxious and irritable, while eating too much can make you lethargic.Healthy eating can help you get through stressful work days. By eating small but frequent meals, you can help your body maintain an even level of blood sugar, keep your energy up, stay focused, and avoid mood swings. Drink alcohol in moderation and avoid nicotine Alcohol temporarily reduces anxiety and worry, but too much can cause anxiety as it wears off. Drinking to relieve job stress may also eventually lead to alcohol abuse and dependence. Similarly, smoking when you're feeling stressed and overwhelmed may seem calming, but nicotine is a powerful stimulant leading to higher, not lower, levels of anxiety.

Get enough sleep Not only can stress and worry can cause insomnia, but a lack of sleep can leave you vulnerable to even more stress. When you're well-rested, it's much easier to keep your emotional balance, a key factor in coping with job and workplace stress. Try to improve the quality of your sleep by keeping a sleep schedule and aiming for 8 hours a night. Tip 3: Reduce job stress by prioritizing and organizing When job and workplace stress threatens to overwhelm you, there are simple steps you can take to regain control over yourself and the situation. Your newfound ability to maintain a sense of self-control in stressful situations will often be well-received by coworkers, managers, and subordinates alike, which can lead to better relationships at work. Here are some suggestions for reducing job stress by prioritizing and organizing your responsibilities.

Time management tips for reducing job stress

Create a balanced schedule. Analyze your schedule, responsibilities, and daily tasks. All work and no play is a recipe for burnout. Try to find a balance between work and family life, social activities and solitary pursuits, daily responsibilities and downtime.

Dont over-commit yourself. Avoid scheduling things back-to-back or trying to fit too much into one day. All too often, we underestimate how long things will take. If you've got too much on your plate, distinguish between the "shoulds" and the "musts." Drop tasks that aren't truly necessary to the bottom of the list or eliminate them entirely.

Try to leave earlier in the morning. Even 10-15 minutes can make the difference between frantically rushing to your desk and having time to ease into your day. Dont add to your stress levels by running late.

Plan regular breaks. Make sure to take short breaks throughout the day to take a walk or sit back and clear your mind. Also try to get away from your
6

desk or work station for lunch. Stepping away from work to briefly relax and recharge will help you be more, not less, productive.

Task management tips for reducing job stress

Prioritize tasks. Make a list of tasks you have to do, and tackle them in order of importance. Do the high-priority items first. If you have something particularly unpleasant to do, get it over with early. The rest of your day will be more pleasant as a result.

Break projects into small steps. If a large project seems overwhelming, make a step-by-step plan. Focus on one manageable step at a time, rather than taking on everything at once.

Delegate responsibility. You dont have to do it all yourself. If other people can take care of the task, why not let them? Let go of the desire to control or oversee every little step. Youll be letting go of unnecessary stress in the process.

Be willing to compromise. When you ask someone to contribute differently to a task, revise a deadline, or change their behaviour at work, be willing to do the same. Sometimes, if you can both bend a little, youll be able to find a happy middle ground that reduces the stress levels for everyone concerned.

Reduce stress by breaking bad habits

To manage your job stress and improve your work relationships, youll have more control over your ability to think clearly and act appropriately. You will be able to break habits that add to your stress at work and youll even be able to change negative ways of thinking about things that only add to your stress. Eliminate self-defeating behaviors Many of us make job stress worse with negative thoughts and behavior. If you can turn around these self-defeating habits, youll find employer-imposed stress easier to handle. Resist perfectionism. No project, situation, or decision is ever perfect, so trying to attain perfection on everything will simply add unnecessary stress to your day. When you set unrealistic goals for yourself or try to do too much, youre setting yourself up to fall short. Aim to do your best, no one can ask for more than that. Clean up your act. If youre always running late, set your clocks and watches fast and give yourself extra time. If your desk is a mess, file and throw away the clutter; just knowing where everything is saves time and cuts stress. Make to-do lists and cross off items as you accomplish them. Plan your day and stick to the schedule youll feel less overwhelmed. Flip your negative thinking. If you see the downside of every situation and interaction, youll find yourself drained of energy and motivation. Try to think positively about your work, avoid negative-thinking co-workers, and pat yourself on the back about small accomplishments, even if no one else does. Dont try to control the uncontrollable. Many things at work are beyond our controlparticularly the behavior of other people. Rather than stressing out over them, focus on the things you can control such as the way you choose to react to problems.

MANAGERS AND EMPLOYERS CAN REDUCE JOBSTRESS It's in a manager's best interest to keep stress levels in the workplace to a minimum. Managers can act as positive role models, especially in times of high stress, by following the tips outlined in this article. If a respected manager can remain calm in stressful work situations, it is much easier for his or her employees to also remain calm. Additionally, there are a number of organizational changes that managers and employers can make to reduce workplace stress. These include:

Improve communication Share information with employees to reduce uncertainty about their jobs and futures. Clearly define employees roles and responsibilities. Make communication friendly and efficient, not mean-spirited or petty.

Consult your employees Give workers opportunities to participate in decisions that affect their jobs. Consult employees about scheduling and work rules. Be sure the workload is suitable to employees abilities and resources; avoid unrealistic deadlines. Show that individual workers are valued. Offer rewards and incentives. Praise good work performance, both verbally and officially, through schemes such as Employee of the Month. Provide opportunities for career development. Promote an entrepreneurial work climate that gives employees more control over their work.

Cultivate a friendly social climate Provide opportunities for social interaction among employees. Establish a zero-tolerance policy for harassment. Make management actions consistent with organizational values.

Warning signs and symptoms of workplace stress

Stress can cause changes in those experiencing it. In some cases there are clear signs that people are experiencing stress at work and if these can be identified early, action can be taken before the pressure becomes a problem. This may make it easier to reduce and eliminate the causes. It is important that everyone looks out for changes in a person's or a group's behaviour. However, in many cases the changes may only be noticeable to the person subject to the stress and so it is also important to look at how you are feeling and try to identify any potential issues you may have as early as possible and take positive action to address them; this may be raising the matter with a line manager, talking to an occupational health professional or your own Doctor. Stress can show itself in many different ways - see below. Some of the items in this list may not be signs of stress if people always behave this way. Managers may need to manage staff exhibiting some of these signs differently. You are particularly looking for changes in the way people behave that could be linked with excessive pressures.

Signs of stress in individuals If you are suffering from some of the following symptoms it may indicate that you are feeling the effects of stress. If you find that work or aspects of your work bring on or make these symptoms worse, speak to your line manager, trade union representative or your HR department. It may be that some action taken at an early stage will ease the stress and reduce or stop the symptoms. Emotional symptoms

Negative or depressive feeling Disappointment with yourself Increased emotional reactions - more tearful or sensitive or aggressive Loneliness, withdrawn
10

Loss of motivation commitment and confidence Mood swings (not behavioural) Mental

Confusion, indecision Cant concentrate Poor memory Changes from your normal behaviour

Changes in eating habits Increased smoking, drinking or drug taking 'to cope' Mood swings effecting your behaviour Changes in sleep patterns Twitchy, nervous behaviour Changes in attendance such as arriving later or taking more time off. Please note these are indicators of behaviour of those experiencing stress. They may also be indicative of other conditions. If you are concerned about yourself please seek advice from your Doctor. If you are concerned about a colleague try to convince them to see their Doctor. Signs of stress in a group

Disputes and disaffection within the group Increase in staff turnover Increase in complaints and grievances Increased sickness absence Increased reports of stress Difficulty in attracting new staff Poor performance Customer dissatisfaction or complaints

It is not up to you or your managers to diagnose stress. If you or they are very worried about a person, recommend they see their Doctor. It is up to you and your managers to recognise that behaviours have changed, be aware that something is wrong and take prompt action. Take care not to over react to small changes in

11

behaviour. You and your managers need to act when these behavioural changes continue. Use these symptoms (both individual and group) as clues.

Examine and elaborate the possible accidents that might happen at a workplace as a result of stress.

Effects on people may include: Physical Sleep disturbances Headaches Gastrointestinal upset Raised blood pressure/cardiovascular disease Emotional Anxiety and irritability Depression Labile emotions Intellectual Loss of concentration Lack of motivation Difficulty with thought process Loss of memory Poor decision-making Behavioural

Substance (including alcohol) misuse Decreased libido Inappropriate display of behaviour Isolation Unpunctuality

Effects on the organisation may include:

High absenteeism High labour turnover Poor time keeping Poor performance and productivity Low morale Poor motivation Increased employee complaints Increased ill-health, accidents and incidents reports

12

TENSION: Physical and emotional tension, being excessively hyper, unable to relax or sit still for very long, muscle tremors or twitches.

NAUSEA, VOMITING OR OTHER GASTROINTESTINAL UPSET: Especially during or immediately after the incident.

BODY TEMPERATURE REGULATION: Profuse sweating or chills at unusual times

SLEEP DISTURBANCES: Either the inability to fall asleep, disruptive dreams or nightmares or waking up earlier than usual.

FATIGUE: Always tired. No pep or energy. I NTRUSIVE THOUGHT AND MEMORIES: Thinking about the incident or some recurring memory associated with the incident when you dont want to.

NEGATIVE FEELINGS/CRYING: Unpleasant feeling that may come without warning, such a profound sadness, helplessness, fear, anxiety, anger, rage, discouragement, frustration or depression.

A FEELING OF VULNERABILITY OR LACK OF CONTROL: Feeling exposed to threat, not in control of ones life anymore or paranoia.

INTERPERSONAL PROBLEMS: increased irritability, insensitivity, blaming others, wanting distance instead of closeness. INTERPERSONAL PROBLEMS WITH ALCOHOL OR DRUGS: Self-medication can be a symptom of stress.

COMPULSIVE BEHAVIOR: Increased problems such as compulsive eating or other compulsive behaviors.

13

A VAGUE FEELING OF SELF-BLAME: Usually this fixes on some particular aspect of the incident. A sense of having lost self-value or diminished self-esteem. I could have done this or should have done that.

Burnout is the total depletion of physical and mental resources caused by excessive striving to reach an unrealistic work-related goal.

Some suggestions for alleviating burnout include: breaking your patterns; getting away from it all periodically; reassessing your goals in terms of their intrinsic worth; and think about your work.

Computer-Related Health Problems Short-term eye problems (like burning, itching, tearing, eyestrain, and eye soreness), backaches, and neck-aches are common complaints among video display operators. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has several recommendations for reducing these problems.

Workplace Smoking The Nature of the Problem is serious for employees and employers. Smokers have significantly greater risk of occupational accidents and higher absenteeism rates than nonsmokers. They increase the cost of health and fire insurance.

Violence at Work Violence against employees has become an enormous problem at work, including homicide and robbery.

14

Propose suitable methods that can reduce job stress at the workplace.

Steps to Reduce Workplace Violence

Heightened Security Measures This include improve external lighting use drop safes to minimize cash on hand, and post signs noting that only a limited amount of cash is on hand; install silent alarms and surveillance cameras; increase the number of staff on duty; provide staff training in conflict resolution and nonviolent response; close establishments during high-risk hours late at night and early in the morning; and issue weapons policy.

Improved Employee Screening Improved Employee Screening of potentially explosive employees and applicants by instituting a rigorous pre-employment investigation is a line of defense.

Workplace Violence Training should supplement enhanced security and screening.

Organizational Justice A related step is to create a workplace culture emphasizing mutual respect, justice, and civility. Of course, this is easier said than done. In general, management should emphasize by word and deed that it believes deeply in and demands civility.

Enhanced Attention to Employee Retention/Dismissal This is to reduce the potential liability of retaining employees who subsequently commit violent acts.

15

Dismissing Violent Employees Use caution when firing or disciplining potentially violent employees. Analyze

anticipate their behavior. Have a security guard or a violence expert present when the dismissal takes place.

Dealing with Angry Employees includes: making eye contact; stopping what your are doing and giving you full attention; speaking in a calm voice and creating a relaxed environment; being open and honest; letting the person have his/her say; asking for specific examples of what the person is upset about; being careful to define the problem; asking open-ended questions and exploring all sides of the issue; and listening.

FOUR WAY TO REDUCE STRESS

Take time away. When stress is mounting at work, try to take a quick break and move away from the stressful situation. Take a stroll outside the workplace if possible, or spend a few minutes meditating in the break room. Physical movement or finding a quiet place to regain your balance can quickly reduce stress.

Talk it over with someone. In some situations, simply sharing your thoughts and feelings with someone you trust can help reduce stress. Talking over a problem with someone who is both supportive and empathetic can be a great way to let off steam and relieve stress.

Connect with others at work. Developing friendships with some of your coworkers can help buffer you from the negative effects of stress. Remember to listen to them and offer support when they are in need as well.

Look for humor in the situation. When used appropriately, humor is a great way to relieve stress in the workplace. When you or those around you start taking things too seriously, find a way to lighten the mood by sharing a joke or funny story.

16

CONCLUSION

For workers everywhere, the troubled economy may feel like an emotional roller coaster. "Layoffs" and "budget cuts" have become bywords in the workplace, and the result is increased fear, uncertainty, and higher levels of stress. Since job and workplace stress increase in times of economic crisis, its important to learn new and better ways of coping with the pressure. Your emotions are contagious, and stress has an impact on the quality of your interactions with others. The better you are at managing your own stress, the more you'll positively affect those around you, and the less other people's stress will negatively affect you. You can learn how to manage job stress There are a variety of steps you can take to reduce both your overall stress levels and the stress you find on the job and in the workplace. These include:

Taking responsibility for improving your physical and emotional well-being. Avoiding pitfalls by identifying knee jerk habits and negative attitudes that add to the stress you experience at work.

Learning better communication skills to ease and improve your relationships with management and coworkers.

17