Stress is a psychological and physiological response that occurs when employees perceive that the demands of their work exceed their ability or resources to cope. In the context of Occupational Health and Safety Management, workplace stress is a significant occupational hazard that affects employee health, productivity, safety, and organizational performance. It may arise from excessive workload, long working hours, job insecurity, poor working conditions, role ambiguity, interpersonal conflicts, lack of recognition, inadequate support from supervisors, organizational changes, and work-life imbalance. If not properly managed, stress can lead to serious physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral problems that negatively influence both employees and organizations. One of the most significant effects of stress is its impact on physical health. Prolonged exposure to stress activates the body's stress response, increasing the production of hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. Continuous activation of this response weakens the immune system, making employees more vulnerable to infections and illnesses. Stress also contributes to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, digestive disorders, headaches, migraines, muscle tension, back pain, and fatigue. Employees suffering from chronic stress often experience sleep disturbances or insomnia, which further reduce their physical strength and recovery capacity. Long-term stress may also increase the risk of obesity due to unhealthy eating habits and reduced physical activity. Stress has a profound effect on mental health. Employees experiencing excessive workplace stress may develop anxiety, depression, emotional exhaustion, irritability, frustration, and feelings of helplessness. Chronic stress reduces emotional stability and resilience, making it difficult for employees to cope with routine work demands. Mental health disorders resulting from stress may require medical treatment and counseling, increasing absenteeism and healthcare costs. In severe cases, prolonged stress may contribute to burnout, characterized by emotional exhaustion, reduced personal accomplishment, and detachment from work. The emotional effects of stress are equally harmful. Employees under stress often become impatient, easily irritated, and emotionally unstable. They may lose enthusiasm for their work and become dissatisfied with their jobs. Stress lowers self-confidence and motivation, causing employees to feel undervalued and disconnected from organizational goals. Emotional instability also affects relationships with colleagues, supervisors, customers, and family members, leading to interpersonal conflicts both inside and outside the workplace. Stress significantly influences cognitive functioning and decision-making abilities. High stress levels impair concentration, memory, attention, learning ability, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Employees may find it difficult to process information accurately or make sound decisions under pressure. Reduced cognitive performance increases the likelihood of mistakes, poor judgment, and operational errors, particularly in safety-critical industries such as healthcare, construction, aviation, mining, transportation, and manufacturing. These cognitive impairments directly affect workplace safety and operational efficiency. One of the most serious occupational consequences of stress is reduced work performance. Employees experiencing stress often demonstrate lower productivity, slower work speed, reduced quality of output, and poor efficiency. They may have difficulty meeting deadlines, managing multiple tasks, or maintaining consistency in their performance. Stress decreases commitment and engagement, causing employees to put less effort into their work. As motivation declines, innovation and creativity also decrease, affecting organizational competitiveness and growth. Stress also increases absenteeism and presenteeism. Absenteeism occurs when employees take frequent sick leave due to stress-related illnesses. Presenteeism refers to employees attending work despite being physically or mentally unwell, resulting in poor performance and reduced productivity. Although present at work, stressed employees are