The stressors that affect the performance of occupational health and safety officers

Abstract

The objective of this qualitative research is to assess the stressors which impact Health and Safety Officers (H&S Officers) in the conduct of their professional duties. The research question served as a guide in the compilation of the Literature Review as well as the Findings and Analysis stages. Further the research seeks to evaluate the circumstances when individuals tend to be more subject and sensitive to the impact of stressors. In particular situations, remedial options were highlighted by the participants. A semi-structured interview was designed addressing the primary objective of this research as qualified in the initial chapter. At a later stage, the interviews were addressed to twelve H&S Officers currently in paid employment. Pursuant to Braun and Clarke (2006), a thematic analysis was later adopted for the compilation of data and its analysis. It transpired that practically all the interviewees indicated they were impacted by a broad range of stressors in the conduct of their professional duties. Additionally, it is explicitly sensed in their comments that most of these stressors are inevitable in view of the nature of the work, its demands and prevailing circumstances. This research also indicated that while every organisation has its own safety culture, however specific stressors are still impactful irrespective of the measures being undertaken by the management and employees.