Abstract

The “psychological” definition of stress, in which cognitive evaluation is the triggering element, and the “psychoneuroendocrine” definition (by Hans Selye) in which the triggering element is made up of complex biochemical and humoral events, among which the cognitive component, are compared to each other. The references to Selye's studies, the definition of health as a perfectible process of physical, mental and social well being, and the analysis of work processes according to the Theory of Organizational Action, allow a complete risk evaluation and the primary prevention of work stress. Many of the studies of the Organization and Well-being Programme, conducted in the manufacturing, artisanal, tertiary services, hospital and local health care sectors, before the EU norms and the 2004 European Agreements on stress were implemented, make this point clear.