Targeted Training: Reducing Stress-Related Cognitive Load in Lineworkers
Lineworkers are accustomed to hearing that they must completely focus on the task they’re performing. For safety reasons, staying fully present and mentally focused on the work at hand is critical in the high-stakes, hazardous environments these employees often find themselves in.
Maintaining full focus for an extended length of time is the goal to strive for – but realistically, that doesn’t align with how the human brain works. An individual can be easily distracted, especially when experiencing personal or professional difficulties. Distractions impair a person’s ability to perform at their highest potential, as numerous studies have demonstrated.
In particular, a person’s financial health and the health of their relationships are two components of everyday life that can be major stressors. Lineworkers who are distracted by either issue – or both issues, since they can intersect – while performing hazardous tasks put their safety at risk and potentially endanger those around them.
For example, imagine entering a hot zone to perform a challenging pole transfer while you’re worried about the bills you need to pay or your relationship troubles at home. When a typical person operates under such stress, their brain is experiencing increased cognitive load, leaving them unable to operate at their highest level. That’s because although the human brain makes up a very small percentage of our body weight, it uses larger amounts of the oxygen we breathe and the food we eat. So, the more cognitive demands placed on a person’s brain – such as high levels of financial or relationship stress – the less energy that person has available to focus on completing the task in front of them.
A Double-Edged Sword
Young people employed in the line trade can earn a great deal of money; that’s one of the privileges of working in the industry. An issue that sometimes arises, however, is whether these young employees have the financial literacy needed to responsibly manage their money.
Long-term planning is required to achieve the future you hope for. Before making any significant financial decision (e.g., buying a new vehicle, purchasing real estate, having a baby, traveling or going back to school), consideration must be given to the potential implications of that decision – both today and years down the line. Among other things, making a poor choice about how to handle personal finances can create stress that steals a worker’s focus during critical moments on the job, leaving them more vulnerable to making errors and hurting themselves and/or others.
Targeted Training
So, we’ve established that someone’s finances can cause them stress and impact their relationships, and we know that young lineworkers can earn a handsome salary through their regular work and overtime opportunities. We also understand that stress creates a cognitive burden, making it more difficult for the affected person to stay focused and safely complete their work.
The question now is, how can employers eliminate or mitigate this burden to make their workplaces safer? What kind of training could be delivered to the workforce to help them develop both their financial literacy skills and their ability to make well-informed long-term decisions? How can employers help employees address these issues that nearly everyone struggles with at some point?
Here’s one idea: Consider adding a half-day or full day of financial management training to your organization’s apprenticeship program. Or, employers could choose to invite local financial professionals to lead in-house workshops with employees once or twice a year. It’s also likely there are other great ideas you’ve thought of while reading this Tailgate Topic. The point here is that a small investment in your workers’ financial education could have profound effects, equipping young people with the tools they need to secure their financial future – and lessen their cognitive load on the job, helping to improve safety conditions for all.
About the Authors: Bill Martin, CUSP, NRP, RN, DIMM, is the president and CEO of Think Tank Project LLC (www.thinkprojectllc.com). He has held previous roles as a lineman, line supervisor, project manager and safety director.
Michelle Forkey earned a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction and has been teaching mathematics and financial literacy for 20 years.