Stress is a serious safety issue, too often glossed over or simply denied.
The best example I can think of is in the meatpacking industry. That is, the folks who turn cows into burgers and sausages.
It's a classic 'cyclical' industry: lots of orders from May through September, much slower the rest of the year - and a product with a limited shelf life. As a result, there's an excess of overtime part of the year, and layoffs the rest.
"Mandatory overtime" often results in many not having ANY days off between June 1st and August 31st. At this point, folks are simply fatigued. Now they also get to start worrying: is this week my last? Just when will my turn come to be laid off?
It's no surprise that accidents increase markedly in September. These are real accidents - the sort that result in losing body parts.
That's the result of stress- from whatever source. The solutions aren't always as clear.
For example, there has been significant political opposition to certain technology that would help greatly extend the 'shelf life' of food. An extended shelf life would do much to reduce the cyclical nature of the business and thus reduce stress. Yet, details of the technology continue to be deliberately misrepresented by contemporary Luddites, and the regulatory folks never miss a chance to interfere. Thus, the toll continues.
