Introduction to Occupational Health PDF

Dr. Nesreen Farouk Lecturer of public health and community medicine Definitions Occupational health Health and safety at work It is about preventing disease or injury that is a direct result of workplace. It is defined by a WHO as the promotion and maintenance of the h...

Dr. Nesreen Farouk Lecturer of public health and community medicine Definitions Occupational health Health and safety at work It is about preventing disease or injury that is a direct result of workplace. It is defined by a WHO as the promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social wellbeing of workers in all occupations.  What is Occupational Health Occupational health is that branch of medicine which is concerned with study and prevention of health hazards which arise from different exposure in work Agricultural Commercial Construction Medicine transportation,…………………………  What is Occupational Health? Traditionally, Occupational Health was concerned with: 1)How an employee’s health can affect their ability to do the job And 2)How work and the working environment can affect an employee's health.  What is Occupational Health? Today, occupational health is more wide-ranging. It is still concerned with employees’ health but can also include: health promotion, risk assessment and well-being and can address lifestyle issues such as smoking, fitness, stress management, nutrition and obesity for example.  Developed countries consider that occupational health is an integral part in the national development as healthy worker means increased production. Occurrence of occupational disease means increased sickness absenteeism lost working days loss of production and increased cost of diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation So decreased national production and development  GOALS OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH To reduce industrial accidents. To prevent occupational hazards/ diseases. To achieve maximum human efficiency and machine efficiency. To reduce sick absenteeism.  OBJECTIVES OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH: To maintain and promote the physical, mental and social well being of the workers. To prevent occupational diseases and injuries. To adapt the work place and work environment to the needs of the workers i.e application of ergonomics principle. It should be preventive rather than curative.  Definitions(cont.) Occupational hazard A factor or exposure that may adversely affect health It is a qualitative term Definitions(cont.) Occupational risk It is a quantitative probability that a health effect will occur after an individual has been exposed to a specified amount of a hazard Definitions(cont.) Occupational disease Any specific diseases to which workers in certain occupations are particularly prone.  OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH represents a dynamic equilibrium between the worker and his occupational environment.  Size of the problem Certain occupational risks, such as injuries, noise, carcinogenic agents, airborne particles and ergonomic risks account for a substantial part of the burden of chronic diseases: 37% of all cases of back pain, 16% of hearing loss, 13% of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 11% of asthma, 8% of injuries, 9% of lung cancer, 2% of leukaemia and 8% of depression.  Work-related health problems result in an economic loss of 4–6% of GDP for most countries. The basic health services to prevent occupational and work-related diseases cost on average between US$ 18 and US$ 60 per worker.  About 70% of workers do not have any insurance to compensate them in case of occupational diseases and injuries. Research has demonstrated that workplace health initiatives can help reduce sick leave absenteeism by 27% and health-care costs for companies by 26%  safe work environment Dr. Nesreen Farouk Lecturer of public health and community medicine  Occupational Health strives to maintain the balance of health within the workplace and the provision of advice and guidance to employers and employees.  How can employers maintain a safe and healthy work environment? Creating a safe workplace Providing and maintaining safe machines and systems of work for supported employees Organising the safe use of dangerous goods and hazardous chemicals Controlling hazards such as dust, noise and fumes Providing hygiene facilities such as toilets and change rooms Providing information on hazards to ensure all supported employees have a clear understanding Providing instruction, training and supervision to supported employees Monitoring your work area and employee health Maintaining information and records on health and safety Supporting an injured employee’s return to work criteria for safe work environment Work place environment Sufficient space ( floor and height) minimum standard 15 m3 / worker Water supply ( better to be taps or fountains to avoid cross infection Toilet should be sanitary, sufficient number and separate for male/female workers Lighting to prevent eye fatigue and accidents Work place environment Proper handling and storage of food and it should be adequate and balanced Cleanliness from inside and outside ,walls better to be washable paint materials Working temperature / humidity Protection against hazards as exposed electricity, dust, chemicals, noise, radiation, extreme temperature ( hot –cold),pressure, vibration … Safe machine / or working tool Safeguarded, properly installed Maintained regularly Dangerous machine need to be isolated or automatically operated Manpower management The work plan should consider: Worker – worker relationship Worker – authority relationship To reduce a lot of psychological troubles during work , insure work stability, job satisfaction , workers participation and communication Hazard Identification and Control Define the How to identify and hazard control hazards: List the This diagram shows Review possible how a potential harms hazard can be controlled before causing any harm. Apply State controlling controlling methods options 36 Hazard Identification and Control The methods for controlling hazards are as follow: Elimination or substitution Engineering controls Administrative controls Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 37  Substitution – Replace the hazard. Engineering controls – Isolate people from the hazard. Administrative controls – Change the way people work. Personal protective equipment– Protect the worker with PPE.  Engineering controls are used to remove a hazard or place a barrier between the employee and the hazard. Administrative controls are changes in work procedures with the goal of reducing the duration, frequency, and severity of exposure. Engineering controls are preferred over administrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) because they are designed to remove the hazard at the source,  Hierarchy of Safety Controls or “Safeguards Most Effective Elimination or substitution Most Expensive Engineering Controls Warnings Administrative Controls Personal Protective Least Expensive Least Effective Equipment 40  Hierarchy of Safety Controls or “Safeguards Most Effective Elimination or substitution Most Expensive These rely on people! Engineering Controls Warnings Administrative Controls Personal Protective Least Expensive Least Effective Equipment 41