Choose a workspace, home space, or public building you frequent. Evaluate the layout of the building, the noise, and the air quality. Note any areas that could contribute to stress, affect overall well-being, or contribute to producing any type of environmental stress. What behaviors do you observe that result from the stressors identified, such as inability to focus, excessive sneezing, and/or avoidance of certain areas? Giving detailed descriptions, and determine what interventions could change these stressors.

Question:

Choose a workspace, home space, or public building you frequent. Evaluate the layout of the building, the noise, and the air quality. Note any areas that could contribute to stress, affect overall well-being, or contribute to producing any type of environmental stress. What behaviors do you observe that result from the stressors identified, such as inability to focus, excessive sneezing, and / or avoidance of certain areas? Giving detailed descriptions, and determine what interventions could change these stressors.

For many years I worked as an engineer in a refinery for a world renowned oil company. The materials handling, logistics and warehouse offices were located in an old two-story building, with office areas for about 60 people. The warehouses were located in two large warehouses where the materials, spare parts and equipment to support the operations of the refinery were located and were located and organized on shelves 6 meters high (19 ft.) And 10 meters long (33ft) . Forklifts with vertical platforms were used to remove materials and equipment from the shelves.

  * Building layout: old building with acclimatized offices with air conditioning. The offices were small and poorly lit. The offices had undergone many transformations to accommodate increased personnel due to the refinery's expansion plans. The second floor was accessed only through stairs attached to the side of the old building. There was no other entrance or exit door. It was somewhat difficult for the female staff to access the second floor due to the steepness of the stairs. The external roof of the building was made of aluminum sheets. The offices had an old suspended ceiling made of insulating material to counteract the high temperatures that could reach above 38 degrees Celsius (100 F) in the summer season. The building was located in the refinery's operations area, about 50 meters (160 ft) from a major plant, "just across the street". The noise outside the offices was unbearable. Inside, thanks to the air conditioning, the noise was a little more tolerable. The smell expelled by the refinery towers was very strong and despite being inside the offices, it could also be perceived. Additionally, the polluted air caused itchy eyes and sometimes skin.

  * Noise: Due to the proximity to one of the main plants of the refinery, there was a lot of noise, 24 hours a day. Despite this, only plant personnel and operators were provided with ear plugs, but not office personnel.

  * Poor air quality. The polluting gases from the refinery were expelled into the atmosphere without being previously treated. This affected the quality of the air that the employees breathed. It was observed that the plant employees and operators were provided with masks, but not the office employees.

 What behaviors do you observe that result from the stressors identified, such as inability to focus, excessive sneezing, and / or avoidance of certain areas?

  * Irritability: Many employees displayed an unpatient attitude, such as a bad mood during office hours.

  * Tiredness: Some employees looked tired and exhausted.

  * Procrastination: There were tendencies for the work to be delayed or to be delivered with much effort on the scheduled dates.

  * Nervous behaviors: Several employees were sent to medical rest for presenting degrees of anxiety related to working conditions. This was more frequent in female personnel.

  * Little collaboration: employees showed no interest in working overtime and showed bad character when they had to cover 24-hour on-call duty on weekends.

  * Absenteeism: the rate of smoking and leave during working hours were high.

  * Visits to the doctor: most concerning problems with vision and skin problems.

Giving detailed descriptions, and determine what interventions could change these stressors.

The need to move the offices to a place with a friendlier environment was always raised. The company never responded to this request, beyond being in plans to carry it out. Nor did it do much to change stressful conditions. However, it could have taken some actions such as:

  * Installation of noise insulation material to the walls and ceilings of the offices.

  * Provide employees of the offices with ear plugs, masks and protective glasses. Even if they were not used inside the offices, they could be used during the arrival time to walk from the parking lot or the bus stop to the offices, at lunchtime and at the departure time.

  * Improve roof-temperature insulation: During times of high temperatures the environment and temperature of the offices was not pleasant.

  * Replace air conditioning units with newer and higher capacity. They were as old as the same building.

  * Improve the entrance to the second floor and build an exit or escape route.

  * Promote hours of socialization with employees. Birthday celebration, lunches, Christmas, etc.

*Improve office lighting systems.