OSHA: Safety and Shiftwork Stress - Term Paper Example

OSHA: Safety and Shiftwork Stress Introduction This paper will allow the reader to explore how stress from shiftwork and safety relate to one another in the workplace whether that workplace is in a building or not. There are many factors which will be explored in this paper. In researching this paper, a question popped up: How does OSHA ensure that every workplace follows the same basic guidelines? What does shift work stress do to the human body? How do these relate to the safety of everyone around a person? Shiftwork Shiftwork is something that is nearly unavoidable in this day and age. The increased demands for nigh perfection that comes from anyone’s bosses, almost always require one to either work long, crazy hours, or overnight where stress on the body is higher with the ever so quietness of the night. Shifts are usually relegated to one of three eight hour shift starting times: 0600, 1400, and 2200. Shiftwork is usually considered to be either overnight work or a schedule where no two days have the same shift. Some people enjoy shift work, most just tolerate it, while others cannot handle it. This type of stress like any other can be harmful to the body. Stress Related Factors Stress is something can be harmful to the human body in many different ways. The amount of stress one can take varies from person to person. Some people handle stress better than others. Furthermore, some industries have a higher level of risk and stress placed upon its business and the employees of those businesses. Thus, OSHA has set up specific guidelines and suggestions to help ensure the safety of those employed in the various industries. Stress comes in various forms. And, thus, can make it more hazardous for the employee of those companies. OSHA tries to employ guidelines for each industry to ensure that they are safe and secure. However, there are industries out there which are riskier than others. These include: * Healthcare * Law Enforcement * Transportation * Construction * And many others These industries have guidelines ensure the safety of the employees that are more rigid that various other industries. However, not only do the riskiest industries have stress that can cause injuries, but even working in an office can cause undo harm an injury to an employee of a company. Stress does not have any friends or particular industries that it hits harder than others. Overall, stress can come from various places and in various forms such as Temperature, discomfort, long hours, minimal breaks, weather conditions (if working outdoors), etc. Even with all the possible injuries that can be brought about by stress, OSHA guidelines can only help so far. OSHA works as diligently as it can to ensure everyone’s safety and health. Their priority and main goal is just that: ensure the health and safety of all employees in a workplace. Relationship of Shiftwork and Stress Stress from shift work can be harmful to a person’s body. Shiftwork does not allow, in most cases, for people to get the proper amount of rest needed to have a healthy life. Thus, the onset of fatigue begins. From fatigue a myriad of different problems can still ensue. Most doctors will tell you that a person needs proper rest. However, proper rest is a vague term, since it varies from one person to the next. Proper rest could be anywhere from four - twelve hours depending on the person. And without adequate rest, medical conditions could acerbate, i.e. a person with epilepsy could begin to have seizures again. However, fatigue does not only affect one physically, but mentally as well. Thus, fatigue could lead to psychosis or depression. Furthermore, I could lead to laziness not only at work but at home as well. A person totally under the effects of extreme fatigue could wind up with a changed personality which no one wants to be around. There is even a sleep disorder named for shift work. And shift work sleep disorder shows that a person is more likely to be in a haze than not. And also, a shift worker with a previously diagnosed medical condition such as epilepsy may be taking a medication where some of the symptoms of Shift Work Sleep Disorder may be intensified. Safety Safety, the number one priority of OSHA, is in jeopardy every time a person who is badly fatigue clocks in for work. However, this does not affect those on the job with a person but those who live with the person as well. And being in a perpetual haze is not good for anyone or the people around them either a work or home. This will eventually lead to accidents. Although, while on the job a person has a higher organization, like OSHA, watching out for their well-being, at home that is not always the case. Thus, not only can fatigue in a person cause them to be perpetually sleepy or in a haze where accidents are more likely to happen, but illness is also more likely from a shift worker. Without the proper rest required a person’s body cannot refresh properly. This leaves the body more susceptible to catching germs that make one sick. And not being on the job, in the position a person was hired for, may also lead to accidents or mistakes on the job, since the best people will not be where the company or employer expects them to be to perform at their best. Conclusion OSHA is important to everyone in the American workforce. They are around to monitor the conditions of the workplace and the rights of all employees in the workforce. Can OSHA shut a business down for violating its safety guidelines? Yes, it can. However, OSHA will usually just levy big fines upon the employer until the appropriate repairs or actions have been taken to rectify the problem. OSHA’s number one goal is to maintain the health and safety of all employees in the American workforce. It doesn’t matter whether a person is African-American, Latino, White, Asian, etc., all are considered equally important to OSHA. If a person works in America, OSHA sees that person as a priority. Can stress play a factor in safety? Most definitely, when a person is stressed they are more likely to be susceptible to fatigue, depression, illness, and a host of other things that could cause the performance at the workplace to drop. When a person misses a day from the scheduled time of employment, their employer is missing an important piece of their puzzle. Thus, OSHA sets up guidelines for every industry to ensure that every employer has all their pieces in place. Not only can stress cause problems with the potential for a myriad of problems. However, shift work only adds more stress upon it. Shiftworkers, usually, do not get enough sleep at night to allow their bodies to completely refresh. Thus, with shift work, it is more likely that one will find themselves in an accident. The ability to stay safe lowers with those who continue to wotk shiftwotk. References Ann, C. (n.d.). OSHA Healthcare Safety Guidelines. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/about_6170657_osha-healthcare-safety-guidelines.html Dodrill, T. (2010, November 15). OSHA Shift Work Guidelines. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/facts_7500890_osha-shift-work-guidelines.html Hunter, C. (n.d.). How Does OSHA Work? Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4615202_osha-work.html Kelley, L. (n.d.). OSHA Safety Guidelines. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/about_5068081_osha-safety-guidelines.html Miller, S. (2010, November 05). OSHA Heat Guidelines. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/facts_7452768_osha-heat-guidelines.html Smyth, P. (n.d.). OSHA Fatigue Policy. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/facts_6906848_osha-fatigue-policy.html OSHA: Safety and Stress Introduction What is paper about?__________________________________________________ Background of OSHA When founded? From what Act? Main Goal of OSHA? Stress Factors Risky Industries Possible Factors Safety Does OSHA oversee the rights of an employee? Where can workplace injuries happen? What type of injuries can be caused by using a computer? Read More