(168a) The Invisible Hazard: Exploring the Impact of Stress and Personal Resilience on Safety in the Chemical Industry

In recent years, stress has been a buzzword across industries. Are people more stressed now than they were before, or are we finally paying attention to the risks associated with stressed out employees? Whatever the answer, the increased attention to stress is prudent. In the chemical sector, safety is paramount; creating a safety climate and culture is critical to reducing accidents in the workplace. Human factors play a pivotal role in the success or failure of a safety culture. An astonishing 80% of workplace incidents are a result of stress related factors. In this session, we’ll explore how measuring and enhancing employee personal resilience can reduce the likelihood of stress related errors and buy into the wider safety program. We’ll also explore the benefits of a personal resilience program and discuss stress coping strategies and resilience boosting skills, along with holistic suggestions for tackling the invisible hazard in your organization.