Stress in the offshore oil and gas exploration and production industries: An organizational approach to stress control

Abstract

Many researchers have pointed out the limitations of stress management strategies which aim solely to help the individual employee cope with stress in the work environment. In this study a stress audit approach to stress control was used to identify sources of stress which might be either reduced or eliminated by organizational change strategies. Three hundred and ten males (92 per cent British) on 97 installations working in the UK offshore oil and gas exploration and production industries took part in a stress audit. By using interview (N = 50) and questionnaire techniques, personnel were monitored over an 18-month period. Factor analysis and multiple regression analyses were used to identify sources of negative stress in the offshore environment. In this article, some of the stressors associated with job dissatisfaction are discussed and a variety of methods, including work redesign, are recommended as stress control strategies.