Ravalier PhD Theis.pdf - Anglia Ruskin Research Online

54
firemen, soldiers, and deep sea divers, and actual conditions in which a
job is carried out, such as noise, lighting, temperature, hours and
workload (Millward, 2005).
1) Risk and Danger
When an individual is constantly aware of potential danger they
must maintain a constant state of arousal in order to deal with the
situation should it move from being a potential danger to an actual
danger. The resulting chronically high adrenaline levels as well as the
muscle tension and respiratory changes are all seen as potentially
threatening to long-term health (Arnold, 2005).
2) Working Conditions:
In addition to the obvious potential physical stressors that can cause
problems for individuals at work (e.g. repetitive physical work, overly
physical work, temperature, levels of light), uncontrollable noise has been
shown to be particularly stressful for employees, and may lead to
decreased task performance as well as lowered motivation at work
(Wickens & Hollands, 2000). However, noise levels do not only apply to
having extremely loud levels. These stressors can also be extended to
low levels of noise, which has been associated with elevated levels of
stress hormones and lower task performance (Evans & Johnson, 2000).
3) Technology
The implementation of new technology can require individuals to
continuously adapt to new equipment, systems and ways of working
(Arnold, 2005). While specific technologies have been used in order to
relieve stress in the workplace (e.g. via workload reduction, increased
communication etc), user adjustment to IT has been identified as a critical
determinant of implementation success and stress in the workplace
(Chen, Westman & Eden, 2009).
4) Work Hours and Workload:
It seems commonsense to suggest that those who work extreme
numbers of hours are to have higher levels of stress in the workplace. An
early example which shows the effects of high numbers of working hours