Page 290 - fourth year book
P. 290
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
Introduction:
The magnitude of the global impact of occupational accidents and
diseases in terms of human suffering and related economic costs has
been a long-standing source of concern at workplace, national and
international levels. The International Labor Organization (ILO)
estimates that over 2 million workers die each year from work-related
accidents and diseases, and that globally this figure is on the increase.
The human, social and economic costs of occupational accidents,
injuries and diseases and major industrial disasters have long been cause
for concern at all levels from the individual workplace to the national
and international. Measures and strategies designed to prevent, control,
reduce or eliminate occupational hazards and risks have been developed
and applied continuously over the years to keep pace with technological
and economic changes.
1. Definition of related concepts:
a. Occupational safety and health (OSH)
The science of the anticipation, recognition, evaluation and control of
hazards arising in or from the workplace that could impair the health
and well-being of workers, taking into account the possible impact on
the surrounding communities and the general environment.
b. Occupational health hazards:
Hazards that present in workplace environment and affecting employee
health. These include:
o Physical hazards (electricity, radiation, pressure, falling
objects, smoking, heights, heat, and slips)
o Chemical hazards ( skin irritants, carcinogens or respiratory
sensitizers that have an adverse effect on a worker's health as
a result of direct contact with or exposure to the chemical,
usually through inhalation, skin contact or ingestion
o Biological hazards (medical waste or samples of
a microorganism, virus or toxin from a biological source
(bacteria, viruses, insects, plants, birds, animals, and
humans) that can affect human health.
o Psychological hazards (poor design of work and jobs, poor
communication and interpersonal relationships, bullying,
occupational violence and fatigue).
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