THE CHALLENGE AND THREAT OF OCCUPATIONAL STRESS IN THE 21st CENTURY

Abstract

Work can have both positive and negative effects on workers health. Work can serve as means of economic survival and happiness but it can also expose workers to occupational hazards that pose serious threat to health and well being of the worker and their organization. These hazards can lead to occupational stress, diseases, accidents and injury induding death.
The promotion of health, safety and welfare of workers in the face of rapid industrialization and high level of occupational stress in developing countries without the basic occupational health service and hazard control measures are a major problem facing health educators and other health professional in the 21st century.
This paper examines the nature of occupational stress, causes or sources of occupational stress, consequences of occupational stres on the workers and organization as well as strategies to cope With occupational stress at individual and organizational levels.