Stress affects everyone at some point, but in the workplace it can become a serious safety hazard. High stress reduces focus, slows reaction time, causes mistakes, and increases the risk of injuries, so recognizing the signs early keeps everyone safe and productive.
What Causes Workplace Stress?
Stress builds from the job and from life outside it.
- Heavy workloads or tight deadlines
- Long hours or shift work
- Lack of clear instructions or changing job expectations
- Conflicts with coworkers or supervisors
- Personal issues carried into the workday
- Working in hazardous, hot, cold, or high-pressure environments
- Holidays
What Are the Signs of Stress?
Watch your own behavior and your coworkers’.
- Irritability or frustration
- Trouble concentrating or making decisions
- Fatigue or trouble sleeping
- Increased mistakes or near misses
- Withdrawing from others
- Physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension, or stomach issues
Why Is Stress a Safety Issue?
Under stress, people take shortcuts, lose situational awareness, forget procedures, rush tasks, and react more slowly, which can directly lead to accidents or injuries.
How Do You Manage and Reduce Stress on the Job?
Small habits keep stress from becoming a hazard.
- Communicate and speak up if instructions are unclear or the workload is overwhelming
- Plan your tasks by breaking big jobs into smaller steps
- Take short, regular breaks to reset your mind
- Stay organized by keeping your work area clean and knowing what comes next
- Look out for each other and check in if a coworker seems stressed
Stress is normal, but ignoring it is not. If you are feeling overwhelmed, talk with your supervisor or a coworker.
