Abstract
Work implies interaction of several components such as equipment, work environment, work load and human factor. Prevention of work accident and occupational diseases is mainly based on knowledge and assessment of occupational risks associated with each workplace. Psychosocial risks are usually caused by stress, thus being greatly influenced by individual perceptions. Identifying psychosocial risks is based on the analysis of individual reactions to external factors and activities. Worldwide, work related stress is seen as a major present-day challenge, faced by occupational health and safety specialists. Considered at organizational level and not as individual issues, psychosocial risks and stress can be managed to the same extent as any other occupational health and safety risk. The growing issue of protecting emergency workers against occupational health and safety risks has been highlighted as a priority by many experts. Demands on intervention and rescue personnel, as well as occupational health and safety risks will increase as they face larger events both in number and magnitude and severity. The current paper will summarize key issues related to work-related stress and will discuss how stress at work can be best managed in the context of intervention and rescue activities in toxic / flammable / explosive environments.
Highlights
Work involves the combination of certain components, namely work equipment, work environment, workload and the human factor represented by the worker
Perception of work demands as normal means that work components, mentioned above, must meet certain conditions
If psychosocial risks associated with a workplace are considered organizational issues and not just individual’s issues, they can be managed in the same way as any other risk to the safety and health at work
Summary
Work involves the combination of certain components, namely work equipment, work environment, workload and the human factor represented by the worker. The worker is subjected to both physical and psychosocial demands that are dependent on the type of activity performed. Delimitation of these two types of work demands is purely theoretical, there are causal links between the two, respectively, abnormal demands diminish the mental capacity and the physical one with which it is associated. Psychosocial risk at work, as defined by the International Labour Organization (ILO), refers to the likelihood that certain aspects of design, organization and management of work, along with their social and environmental contexts, will have physical, psychological and social negative consequences. Almost half of employed people in Europe felt that stress was not managed effectively in their workplace. In addition to mental health problems, experiencing prolonged stress at work can lead to serious physical health problems, such as cardiovascular or musculoskeletal disorders
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