Wed, Oct 10, 2001 page2

• Stress killing municipal workers

  DROWNING IN WORK Hectic schedules caused by the need for typhoon repairs and other, more personal causes is taking a sometimes fatal toll on city officials

  • By Ko Shu-ling / STAFF REPORTER
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  The president of Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation, Richard Chen (陳椿亮), fell ill after three weeks of working long hours without a day off.

  He had been forced into an unusual working pattern by the effects of Typhoon Nari, which ravaged the country on Sept. 16 and shut down Taipei City's MRT system.

  The 52-year-old Chen, a diabetes sufferer, checked into the Wan Fang Municipal Hospital (萬芳醫院) with a high blood sugar level on Oct. 5.

  He was still in hospital at press time last night and planning to take a week off work on the advice of his doctor.

  Chen is not the only municipal official to fall ill this year because of overwork.

  In August a municipal employee -- who faced disciplinary action for failing to supervise a bridge construction project properly -- died on the day that his punishment was to be announced after working for 55 hours without a break.

  Another municipal employee, Lee Hung-cheng (李宏誠), 50, had been working for more than two days without a break before he died -- just after the Central Weather Bureau issued the warning for Typhoon Toraji on July 28.

  Lee, chief of the supply division of the city's maintenance works department, was found unconscious on the floor of his office at around 8:45am on July 31.

  He was pronounced dead at 11:30am after being rushed to the Taipei Medical College Hospital. The cause of his death was cardiac arrest.

  With overwork apparently a factor in the two deaths, a municipal official has called on the city government to review the city's relief efforts -- especially the operations of the ad hoc relief center.

  The center, which operates in the event of a natural disaster or before a potential disaster strikes, is located in the municipal fire department building on Chunghsiao E. Road in the Hsinyi district.

  The relevant municipal officials are required to report to the center 40 minutes after it commences operations and stay there until the center's functions are called off.

  A municipal official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the center was a waste of time and manpower.

  "It's a joke. We see many people sitting at the center all right, but most of them are waiting for the free meals rather than doing anything constructive," he said.

  He said that he disagreed with Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou's (馬英九) idea of letting borough wardens take charge of the regional relief efforts rather than city government officials.

  Ma introduced the concept in the aftermath of Typhoon Xangsane, which struck in November last year, claiming 62 lives.

  "Relief efforts should be a total-personnel mobilization instead of the sole responsibility of someone or some agencies," he said.

  Besides, although the mayor has made it clear that borough wardens are supposed to serve as the commanders of regional relief efforts, they do not actually have the power to do so, he said.

  "The police and cleaning squads, for example, don't report to the borough wardens but to the director of the police headquarters and the director of the environmental protection bureau," he said. "That being so, borough wardens are only executors rather than commanders in the relief efforts."

  A better way to solve the problem was to allow those who have the most people and resources to take charge of the relief efforts, he said.

  "Imagine how much more 8,000 law enforcement officers and firefighters can offer than the 435 borough wardens," he said.

  Medical doctors say that one way to prevent overwork is knowing how to handle work pressure.

  "It's like a reservoir requiring a water discharge every now and then so it doesn't collapse," said Tang Hua-sheng (湯華盛), a neurologist at the Taipei City Psychiatric Center (台北市立療養院).

  Tang said there had been a 5 percent increase in neurosis patients at the center over the past five years.

  Neurosis patients are those suffering from depression, insomnia, anxiety disorder, adjustment disorder, and panic disorder.

  "Different people deal with pressure differently. Those who are optimistic tend to handle pressure more easily, while those who are pessimistic are under pressure all the time," he said.

  "Chronic disease patients particularly need to know how to take care of themselves when under pressure," he said.

  Among the many ways to alleviate pressure, Tang said, is properly planning when and how tasks are to be accomplished.

  "Many people seem to enjoy having a busy schedule to make people believe that they're either important or responsible," he said. "But busy schedules are very harmful to a person's health and mind."

  Taking breaks is also important for office workers, Tang said. "Especially for those working with computers, it's best to take a break every hour," he said.

  In addition, do not take your work home, Tang said, "because it's unfair to your family members who hope to spend time with you when you're at home."

  "You, your work and your family should form a balanced triangle to ensure a healthy lifestyle," he continued

  Exercise is also important, he said.

  "Try to develop the habit of exercising everyday, especially aerobic exercises," he said. "Exercises are the natural anti-depressant. After working out for 30 minutes, you'll find yourself feeling happy and elevated because of the increase in endorphines in your brain," he said.

  Finally, Tsang said it is important to find at least 30 minutes a day for oneself, perhaps even to meditate.

  "Don't ever say that `you don't have time for this and don't have time for that.' A person can always find time for such simple things as a stretch, a meal or a walk if he or she wants to," he said.
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