Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary role of the HPA axis in responding to stress?
What is the primary role of the HPA axis in responding to stress?
How can excessive activation of the HPA axis affect health?
How can excessive activation of the HPA axis affect health?
What cognitive effect can occur under high stress that impacts safety?
What cognitive effect can occur under high stress that impacts safety?
Which statement accurately describes the relationship between stress and accident risk?
Which statement accurately describes the relationship between stress and accident risk?
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What happens when the HPA axis is not adequately activated during stress?
What happens when the HPA axis is not adequately activated during stress?
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What physical threat is involved in the cold-pressor test?
What physical threat is involved in the cold-pressor test?
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In the context of social evaluation, what aspect of well-being is primarily threatened?
In the context of social evaluation, what aspect of well-being is primarily threatened?
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What is a common response to uncontrollability in a stressful situation?
What is a common response to uncontrollability in a stressful situation?
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Which of the following is NOT considered a type of threat in the context of stress?
Which of the following is NOT considered a type of threat in the context of stress?
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Which of the following identifies a risk factor associated with stress in the workplace?
Which of the following identifies a risk factor associated with stress in the workplace?
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Which option describes a potential outcome of stress that relates to mental health?
Which option describes a potential outcome of stress that relates to mental health?
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What contributes to risky behavior in high-stress industries?
What contributes to risky behavior in high-stress industries?
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What effect does excessive activation of the HPA axis have on cortisol levels?
What effect does excessive activation of the HPA axis have on cortisol levels?
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In the context of stress responses, which of the following is a common physiological reaction?
In the context of stress responses, which of the following is a common physiological reaction?
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Which of the following is a potential consequence of prolonged stress?
Which of the following is a potential consequence of prolonged stress?
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How does selective attention related to stressors affect perception?
How does selective attention related to stressors affect perception?
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Which behavior is a potential outcome of excessive stress influencing workers?
Which behavior is a potential outcome of excessive stress influencing workers?
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What is indicated by stress as a leading indicator?
What is indicated by stress as a leading indicator?
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What kind of feedback mechanism is affected by excessive HPA activation?
What kind of feedback mechanism is affected by excessive HPA activation?
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Which mental health issue is mentioned as being potentially induced by stress?
Which mental health issue is mentioned as being potentially induced by stress?
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What is the relationship between stress and accidents as discussed?
What is the relationship between stress and accidents as discussed?
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Study Notes
Impact of Stress on Construction Safety
- Stressed workers were 3.47 times more likely to experience accidents than unstressed workers (Hussen et al. 2020)
- A link exists between stress, safety, and health
- Job stress, self-perceived fatigue and safety culture/climate affect safety behavior
Outline
- Basics of stress (what it is)
- Different stress responses
- What happens in the body under stress
- Stress status in construction
- Pathways to unsafe behavior and illnesses
What is Stress?
- Stress is a transaction between an individual and their environment.
- The relevance of the stressor to well-being and personal resources are taken into account.
- Lazarus's transactional model is the prevalent model applied.
- A cognitive concept accompanied by psychophysiological responses
- Stressors include task, situation, physical, emotional and cognitive factors.
- Stress is a great indicator of quality of interactions between a person and their environment (e.g. high heat strain, physical exertion/fatigue, working with uncomfortable peers.)
Different Stress Responses
- Stress is not homogenous (Lazarus & Folkman 1984)
- Primary appraisal evaluates the significance and relevance of the stressor to well-being
- Secondary appraisal assesses whether the capacity and resources available is enough to deal with the stressor.
- These appraisals can occur subconsciously and consciously.
- Stress can be categorized as "Threat" or "Challenge" based on the appraisal of capacity/resource and the stressor's demand.
Challenge vs. Threat
- Challenge: Improves work performance by enhancing self-efficacy, focus, and motivation (Folkman 1984)
- Threat: Implies "real route-cause" of detrimental consequences such as chronic lethargy, depression, selective attention, known as "stress-induced". (Tomaka et al. 1993)
- Differentiating between challenge and threat and converting treats into challenges is important in stress management
Physiological Responses to Stress
- Sympathetic-Adreno-Medullary (SAM) axis: Fast response; sympathetic nervous system activation, adrenaline release, fight-or-flight mode
- Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis: Slow response; cortisol release to help with the fight-or-flight mode
- Physiological changes occur including heart rate, sweat glands, and skin temperature changes
- Cortisol helps refill energy and regulates emotions via a negative feedback loop on the SAM system and is involved in cognitive processes
Difference in Response b/w Challenge & Threat
- Challenge: Typically activates only SAM axis (without HPA axis involvement). SAM reflected in peripheral systems (heart, sweat glands, skin).
- Threat: Typically activates both SAM and HPA axes. Cortisol release linked to detrimental outcomes.
Widely Applied Protocols to Elicit Threat
- Cold-pressor test: Immersion of the hand in cold water; directly threatens the body's well-being
- Social evaluation test: Performing a challenging task under observation; threatens social well-being
- Uncontrollability: Situations where individuals lack control over the situation; threatens physical/social self
Construction: Stressful Industry
- High workload, long hours, irregular shifts
- Harsh environments (hot/cold weather, noise, explosives)
- Pressure of timelines
- Skill gaps (lack of seasoned workers and insufficient training)
- Job insecurity (contract-based nature, economic fluctuations, seasonal work)
- Safety hazards
- Low social connection/support from management
- Lack of control (top-down structure to ensure coordination)
- Bullying/harassment
- Remote location projects
Stress-Related Statistics
- 16-50% of workers experience substantial stress.
- Significant percentage of Canadians wish their employers did more to support mental health.
- Lack of active coping mechanisms and denial/venting coping due to "tough-guy culture."
- High suicide rate in the construction industry and comparison to other industries.
What Happens from Excessive Activation of HPA
- Excessively high/repeated HPA activation.
- Over-sensitized HPA negative feedback.
- Basal cortisol level decreases.
- Lack of cognitive digest of negative emotions.
- Excessive negative emotion.
- Unsafe behaviors
- Mental illnesses (e.g., PTSD, Depression).
My Last Two Cents
- Stress is a key indicator in managing safety, health, productivity, and satisfaction
- Stress leads to unsafe behavior, accidents, and prolonged illnesses.
Question!
- Threat stress appraisal is the root cause of detrimental outcomes, and HPA and cortisol are harmful.
- HPA response helps properly react to threats, but excessive activation can lead to illnesses (e.g., HPA illnesses)and reduced capacity to perceive surroundings (leading to unsafe behavior)
- HPA helps react to threats, but it also induces accidents.
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Description
This quiz explores the relationship between stress and safety in construction environments. It covers the basics of stress, its physiological responses, and how job stress influences safety behaviors and accident risks. Understanding these factors is crucial for improving safety culture in the construction industry.
