MENTAL WORKLOAD AMONG EMPLOYEES IN INDUSTRIAL GASCOMPANIES IN SOUTHERN ALGERIA

Abstract

This study explores the level of mental workload among employees in industrial gas companies in Southern Algeria, with a focus on identifying potential differences based on age and job type. Utilizing a descriptive approach, avali dated “Cognitive Load Symptoms” questionnaire was administered to a sample of 33 employees to assess physical, psychological, and behavioral manifestations of cognitive load. The findings indicate that workers experience a high level of mental workload regardless of age or job type, reflecting the demanding and hazardous conditions associated with the industrial gas sector. The significance of this study lies in its potential to inform organizational strategies aimed at maintaining employee well-being while ensuring high operational performance, particularly within critical industries that played a strategic role during the COVID-19 pandemic by supplying medical oxygen and other essential gases across Algeria and North Africa. Understanding the determinants of mental workload in such contexts can support targeted interventions to reduce stress and fatigue, enhance occupational safety, and sustain productivity in vital industrial operations. The study underscores the need for practical measures to manage mental workload to maintain a healthy and efficient workforce within the industrial gas sector.