Sustaining safety at work: Accidents, cognitive failure and stress

Data are presented from a cohort study of occupational stress. Measures of workplace strain (GHQ-12 score) and cognitive failure (cognitive failures questionnaire score) were obtained for 53 cohort members who had suffered a minor accident between 2007-2010. Each accident case was matched by age, seniority and gender with accident-free controls from the same cohort. It was found that: accident cases had higher GHQ and CFQ scores when compared to controls; people who had suffered psychological strain at work were approximately three times more likely to have an accident. Minor accidents at work are not random occurrences - they are more likely when personnel are under stress due to high work demands. Those with increased susceptibility to cognitive failures (i.e., a CFQ >;40) were approximately four times more likely to have an accident. The link between workplace stress and workplace safety should be made explicit to managers via health and safety programmes. Individuals suffering from chronic stress should be placed in less challenging environments, particularly if they typically work in high hazard industries and have to deal with cognitively demanding situations. Where it is not possible to change the work environment, the CFQ could be used as a selection tool - accident-prone people, most at risk when under stress, can be identified easily.