Occupational Health and Safety

Table of Contents

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

Occupational health is an area of work in public health to promote and maintain the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations. According to WHO

Occupational health is also defined as the overall well-being—physically, mentally, and socially—of individuals in relation to their work and working environment.

Occupational Health and Safety: This discipline is dedicated to preventing workers from contracting diseases or sustaining injuries as a result of their work. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 1995), occupational safety and health encompass the following multidisciplinary activities:

Protection and promotion of workers’ health by eliminating hazardous occupational factors and conditions that pose risks to their well-being and safety at work.
Enhancement of workers’ physical, mental, and social well-being, supporting the development and maintenance of their working capacity, as well as their professional and social growth within their work environment.
Development and promotion of sustainable work environments and organizations.

Occupational health is also defined as the overall well-being—physically, mentally, and socially—of individuals in relation to their work and working environment.

It involves both the individual’s adjustment to work and the adaptation of work to the individual (Forsman, 1976). The WHO defines occupational health as the “promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental, and social well-being of workers in all occupations.” Furthermore, the WHO considers occupational health services responsible for the well-being of workers and, whenever possible, their families as well.

Definition of Terms

Occupational Epidemiology: This field focuses on studying the occurrence of diseases in relation to work-related factors.
Occupational Biostatistics: It serves as a vital tool for quantitatively studying morbidity and mortality in humans, particularly in relation to workplace exposure.
Ergonomics: This discipline involves tailoring the job to fit the workers, encompassing the design of machines, tools, equipment, work layouts, methods, and environments. Its objective is to enhance human efficiency and well-being, thereby reducing industrial accidents and improving overall worker health and productivity.
Risk Assessment: The process of identifying and evaluating potential risks and hazards in the workplace to determine appropriate preventive measures. Example: Conducting a risk assessment to identify potential hazards associated with a chemical substance used in a laboratory.
Hazard Control: Implementing measures to eliminate or minimize workplace hazards and reduce the risk of accidents or injuries. Example: Installing safety guards on machinery to prevent workers from coming into contact with moving parts.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Equipment worn by workers to protect themselves from potential workplace hazards. Example: Safety goggles, gloves, and helmets used to protect workers from eye injuries, hand injuries, or head injuries.
Safety Training: Providing education and training to workers on occupational health and safety practices, procedures, and emergency protocols. Example: Conducting regular safety training sessions to ensure workers are aware of fire evacuation procedures and know how to respond in an emergency.
Incident Investigation: The process of examining workplace incidents, accidents, or near-miss events to identify their causes and implement corrective measures to prevent future occurrences. Example: Investigating a workplace fall to determine whether it was caused by inadequate safety measures or improper equipment usage.
Workplace Ergonomics: Designing and arranging workspaces, equipment, and tasks to fit the capabilities and limitations of the workers, promoting comfort, safety, and efficiency. Example: Adjusting the height and position of computer monitors to reduce neck strain and prevent musculoskeletal disorders.
Safety Culture: The shared values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors regarding workplace safety within an organization. Example: Encouraging open communication about safety concerns, recognizing and rewarding safe practices, and fostering a proactive approach to safety among employees.

Aims/Objectives of Occupational Safety and Health

Promoting and maintaining the highest level of physical, mental, and social well-being for workers in all occupations. Example: Ensuring that workers have a safe and healthy work environment that contributes to their overall well-being.
Preventing workers from being affected by harmful working conditions that can negatively impact their health. Example: Implementing measures to protect workers from exposure to hazardous substances or dangerous equipment.
Protecting workers from work-related risks and hazards that may arise in their employment. Example: Establishing safety protocols and providing personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize workplace accidents and injuries.
Creating and maintaining an occupational environment that is tailored to meet workers’ physiological and psychological needs. Example: Adapting workstations to ergonomic standards to prevent musculoskeletal disorders and promote comfort.
Ensuring that work is adjusted to suit individuals and that individuals are well-suited for their jobs. Example: Assigning tasks that match workers’ skills and capabilities, allowing them to perform their duties effectively and safely.

Alice’s First Day at Nurses Revision Hospital

Alice was happy to start her new job as a nurse at Nurses Revision Hospital. She was healthy and excited about her new role.

Promoting and Maintaining Well-Being: When Alice arrived, she noticed the hospital had a welcoming environment. The management prioritized the well-being of all employees. They ensured everyone had regular health check-ups, access to mental health resources, and social activities to foster a supportive community.

Preventing Harmful Conditions: On her first day, Alice attended a training session where she learned about the importance of preventing harmful working conditions. The hospital had strict protocols to protect staff from exposure to hazardous substances, such as proper handling of chemicals and safe disposal of medical waste.

Protecting from Risks and Hazards: Alice was provided with personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, masks, and gowns, to protect her from potential risks and hazards. The hospital also had safety protocols in place, like emergency evacuation plans and regular fire drills, to ensure everyone knew how to respond in case of an incident.

Creating an Enabling Environment: Alice’s workstation was ergonomically designed. She had a comfortable chair, a properly adjusted computer screen, and a supportive mat to stand on. This setup helped prevent musculoskeletal disorders and promoted her comfort while working long shifts.

Adjusting Work to Suit Individuals: The hospital management made sure that Alice’s tasks matched her skills and capabilities. They provided continuous training to help her develop her skills and assigned her tasks she was confident in handling. This approach ensured that Alice could perform her duties effectively and safely.

Principles of Occupational Health and Safety

Protecting and promoting workers’ health by preventing and controlling occupational diseases and accidents and eliminating hazardous factors and conditions at work. Example: Implementing safety protocols and providing training to prevent accidents, as well as monitoring and addressing any potential occupational health hazards.
Developing and promoting healthy and safe work environments and organizations by adapting working conditions to meet the needs of workers. Example: Modifying workplace layouts or processes to reduce physical strain and improve worker well-being.
Enhancing workers’ physical, mental, and social well-being, supporting their professional and social development, and maintaining their capacity to work. Example: Offering health and wellness programs, promoting work-life balance, and providing opportunities for skill development and career growth.
Enabling workers to lead productive lives and contribute to sustainable development. Example: Supporting initiatives that foster a healthy work-life balance, job satisfaction, and employee engagement, which ultimately benefits both individuals and the organization.
Providing curative and rehabilitative services to address any health issues or injuries that may occur in the workplace. Example: Offering medical treatment, rehabilitation programs, and support for workers who experience work-related injuries or illnesses.
Ensuring immediate response through first aid and emergency measures for victims. Example: Establishing protocols for first aid training and having emergency response systems in place to provide prompt medical assistance when accidents occur.

Components of Occupational Health and Safety in the Workplace

Availability of Regulations: Have occupational health and safety regulations within the workplace to ensure compliance and worker safety.
Safety Committee: Establishing an active and effective occupational health and safety committee to address and manage safety concerns and initiatives.
Hazard Control: Monitoring and managing workplace hazards to prevent potential health risks for employees.
Hygiene Maintenance: Overseeing cleanliness and sanitation facilities to maintain worker health and well-being.
Protective Device Standards: Regularly inspecting the health and safety standards of protective devices used in the workplace to ensure they meet requirements.
Health Examinations: Conducting various health assessments, including pre-employment, periodic, and special health examinations for workers.
Ergonomics: Tailoring work conditions to accommodate individual needs and enhance worker well-being.
First Aid Services: Providing access to first aid services to address injuries and illnesses promptly.
Training and Education: Offering health education and safety training to workers to increase awareness and knowledge.
Incident Reporting: Reporting incidents such as occupational deaths, diseases, injuries, disabilities, hazards, and their prevention measures to enhance workplace safety and prevent future occurrences.

Elements of the work

The worker: The individual who performs the work or job e.g. a health worker
The tool: The machine the person doing a job uses e.g. injection syringe
The process: The steps the person who does a job takes to do the job e.g. steps of administering an IM injection.
The work environment: The place or situation in which a person who does the work lives in e.g. hospital, health care place.

The elements of work encompass the worker, the tool they utilize, the process they follow to perform the job, and the work environment they operate within. For example, a health worker (the worker) administers an intramuscular injection using an injection syringe (the tool) by following a specific set of steps (the process), typically in a hospital or healthcare facility (the work environment).