Methods for measuring mental stress and strain

Abstract

It is generally agreed that the measurement of work stress and strain provides indication of the appropriateness of work design, i.e. information which is necessary for verifying whether working conditions are in accordance with the criteria of human-centred design (LUCZAK 1998). Accordingly, such an analysis represents an important pre-condition for the evaluation of work-systems. Furthermore an assessment of mental workload is required by legislation, such as the Machinery Directive or the EU Directive on the minimum health and safety requirements for work with display screen equipment. Both directives contain the obligation to measure mental stress of operators or employees. © 2009 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.