This paper discusses research strategies and summarizes pertinent knowledge that has influenced Scandinavian legislation and trade union policies in the field of stress at the workplace. Work stress is shown to be problematic in two ways. First, there may be a direct relation between certain objective working conditions, physiological and psychological stress, and ill health. Second, certain stress conditions may create fatigue and/or passivity and thus make it more difficult for individuals to actively involve themselves in changing those working conditions—including physical and chemical risk factors—that may be detrimental to health. This latter aspect is especially relevant for prevention on the systems level, where one has to rely on collective means for changes in technology and the organization of work.
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