SAFETY4SEA Log Issue 22

54 I SAFETY 4SEA log I January 2018 I ISSUE 22 safety4sea.com S tress is our body’s response to any kind of event, situation, threat or demand. It is part of the normal process of adaptation to environment and consists of behavioral responses. It is commonly considered as the result of the relationship with the environment that an individual ap- praises as significant for his wellbeing. Exposure of individuals to a stressor of physical, social or environmental nature for a long time may make difficult for an individual to cope with. At work, several factors such as the job content and any inadequacy or deficiency in organizational commu- nication may lead to the perception of an imbalance between work demands and needs and/or resources used. This creates stress. Work-related stress is a topic receiving increasing attention by all industry’s stakeholders. Seafarers are usually exposed to several stressors due to their demanding working environment. Specifically, they are confronted with The main causes for stress onboard are: 1. Separation from family and friends and loneliness onboard 2. Concern over leaving loved ones behind 3. Lack of good quality sleep 4. Poor diet 5. Port inspections 6. Changing crew every few months 7. Working under time pressures 8. Extreme temperatures 9. Heavy seas for a long period 10. Claustrophobia The ILO MLC, 2006 has addressed a lot of stressful factors affecting seafarers’ wellbeing. The common symptoms are: 1. Sleep problems 2. Sweating 3. Loss of appetite 4. Difficulty concentrating 5. Headaches 6. Muscle tension or pain 7. Dizziness 8. Chest pain and rapid heartbeat 9. Frequent colds 10. Upset stomach 11. Breathlessness 12. Dry mouth 13. Anxiety 14. Moodiness 15. Feeling low 16. Worrying constantly 17. Imagining the worst 18. Losing your temper easily 19. Drinking/smoking more 20. Nail biting mental, psychosocial and physical stressors. The different duties onboard, separation from family, loneliness onboard, fatigue, multi-nationality, limited recreation activity and sleep deprivation are among the contributory factors. According to an AMSA report, stressors affecting seafarers working in the engine room can be different from those involving the deck crew. Therefore, strategies to decrease risks of stress should be directed to the dif- ferent categories of seafarers, and the results of specific interventions should be evaluated. 1. Think positively: try to have positive thoughts and do more of what makes you happy 2. Talk and discuss: try not to be lonely and start conversation with others 3. Take a breath: when you feel pressure, just pause for a mo- ment and focus on your breath to feel calm 4. Time management: organize your work and spend quality time when off duty Fighting stress onboard Seafarers need to take care of their own mental health while onboard. Key steps to overcome stress onboard are: MARITIME HEALTH