ORGANIZATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY HU - 122. ORGANIZATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY A basic introduction.

ORGANIZATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY HU - 122

ORGANIZATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

A basic introduction

3

COURSE OUTLINE HU -122 Occupational Health Safety and Environment ( 2+0)

OBJECTIVE

To enable students to develop occupational health and safety awareness skills.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

· Classification of health hazards: physical, chemical and biological

· Sources of risk: machinery, noise, electrical failure, indoor air, poor ventilation and lighting condition, radiation and ergonomics.

· Classification of dangerous substances and their toxicity; Routes of entry: skin and eyes , lungs, and stomach, Occupational exposure limits;

· Environmental monitoring at the work place: measurements techniques, data evaluation and analysis.

SAFETY TECHNOLOGY

Importance of safety practice, basic concept of plant safety, safe machinery. Design and guarding. Mechanical handling, manual handling. Access equipment, transport safety, chemical safety. Electrical and electrical equipment. Fire fighting techniques. Construction safety, Demolition.

SAFETY MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES

Accident prevention, health and safety policy, safe system of work, first aid provisions, health and safety training, spill response protocols, accident investigation, recording and analysis, communicating safety measures, techniques of inspection, health and safety regulation at work place.

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COURSE OUTLINE

Books Recommended:

1. Mark Friend, Fundamentals of Occupational Safety and Health

2. A guide to the control of substances Hazardous to health in design and construction. CIRIA Report 125. Thomas Telford Publications London. 1993.

3. F.A Patty , Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology Vol -I : General Principles

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CALENDAR

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WHAT IS ORGANIZATIONAL HEALTH AND SAEFTY

Definitions

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OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT - DEFINITIONS

Occupational health refers to the identification and control of the risks arising from physical, chemical, and other workplace hazards in order to establish and maintain a safe and healthy working environment.

Occupational safety and health (OSH) also commonly referred to as occupational health and safety (OHS) or workplace health and safety (WHS) is an area concerned with the safety, health and welfare of people engaged in work or employment.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH

encompasses the social, mental and physical well-being of workers, that is the “whole person”

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According to WHO (1995), occupational safety and health can be defined as a multidisciplinary activity aiming at: • Protection and promotion of the health of workers by eliminating occupational factors and conditions hazardous to health and safety at work • Enhancement of physical, mental and social well-being of workers and support for the development and maintenance of their working capacity, as well as professional and social development at work • Development and promotion of sustainable work environments and work organizations

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The ILO/WHO definition of occupational health is “The promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental social well- being of workers in all occupation” and the WHO considers occupational health service to be responsible for the total of worker and, if possible, his or her family

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Environment

-The circumstances, objects, or conditions by which one is surrounded

Public Health Definition of “The Environment”

-All that which is external to the individual host. [It] can be divided into physical, biological, social, and cultural factors, any or all of which can influence health status in populations.

Health

-The condition of being sound in body, mind, or spirit

-A flourishing condition or well-being—not just the absence of disease

-A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity −WHO. (1948).

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Disease

-Trouble or a condition of the living animal or plant body or one of its parts that impairs the performance of a vital function

Safety

-Free from harm or risk

-Secure from threat of danger, harm, or loss

-Zero risk

Risk

-Possibility of loss or injury, peril

-The chance of loss; the degree of probability of such loss

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OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT Occupational Health is a diverse science applied by occupational health professionals engineers, environmental health practitioners, chemists, toxicologists, doctors, nurses, safety professionals and others who have an interest in the protection of the health of workers in the workplace.

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WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES? “The study of those factors in the environment that affect human health”

− Factors (“pollutants” or “toxicants”) in air, water, soil, or food

− Transferred to humans by inhalation, ingestion, or

absorption

− Production of adverse health effects

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“WHO” DEFINITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH Environmental health comprises those aspects of human health, including quality of life, that are determined by physical, biological, social, and psychosocial factors in the environment. It also refers to the theory and practice of assessing, correcting, controlling, and preventing those factors in the environment that can potentially affect adversely the health of present and future generations.

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OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT The health status of the workforce in every country has an immediate and direct impact on national and world economies. Total economic losses due to occupational illnesses and injuries are enormous (WHO 1999).

The International Labor Organization (ILO) has estimated that in 1997, the overall economic losses resulting from work-related diseases and injuries were approximately 4-5 % of the world’s Gross National Product.

Workforce is a backbone of a country development. A healthy, well-trained and motivated workforce, increases productivity and generates wealth that is necessary for the good health of the community at large

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KEY COMPONENTS OF OHS

The discipline covers the following key components: 1. the availability of occupational health and safety regulations at workplace 2. the availability of active and functional occupational health and safety committee at workplace 3. monitoring and control of factory hazards to health 4. supervision and monitoring of hygiene and sanitary facilities for health and welfare of the workers 5. inspection of health safety of protective devices 6. pre-employment, periodical and special health examination.

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KEY COMPONENTS OF OHS

7. performance of adaptation of work to man

8. provision of First Aid

9. health education and safety training to the worker

10. Advice to employers on the above mentioned items

11. Reporting of occupational deaths, diseases, injuries, disabilities ,hazards and their related preventive measures at working

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REASONS FOR OHS DISASTERS Reasons for these are:-

Workplace Unsafe building Old machines Poor ventilation Noise Inaccessible to inspection

Workers Limited education Limited skill and training

Employers Limited financial resources Low attention and knowledge

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ELEMENTS OF THE WORK ENVIRONMENT The basic elements in an occupational setting such as a manufacturing plant, industry, or offices are four. These are:

1. The worker

2. The tool

3. The process

4. The work environment

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1. THE WORKER In developing countries like Ethiopia, the work force has several distinct characteristics:-

1. Most people who are employed to work in the informal sectors, mainly in agriculture, or in small-scale industries, such as garages, tannery and pottery.

2. There are high rates of unemployment, some- times reaching 25% or higher. In many developing countries the rates of unemployment and under employment is increasing each year.

3. In general, workers are at greater risk of occupational hazards for a variety of reasons because of low education and literacy rates; unfamiliarity with work processes and exposures, inadequate training, predisposition not to complain about working conditions or exposures because of jobs, whether or not they are hazardous, are relatively scarce; high prevalence of endemic (mainly infections) diseases and malnutrition; inadequate infrastructure and human resources to diagnose, treat, and prevent work - related diseases and injuries.

4. The annual per capita income for Ethiopia is about $ 120 (USD) or less per year which makes it one of the lowest in the world. Daily wage for all Ethiopian daily laborers is less than $1 US dollar.

5. Vulnerable populations in any country are at even greater risks.

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1. THE WORKER (CONTD…)

These groups vulnerable populations are: a. Women, who make up a large proportion of the work force in many developing countries and often face significant physical and psychosocial hazards in their work. Besides this they also face similar problem at home as mothers and cooks b. Children, who account for a significant part of the work force in many developing countries, often undertake some of the most hazardous work. In many of these countries, primary education is not required and there are no legal protections against child labor. c. Migrants - both within countries and between countries who, for a variety of reasons, face significant health and safety hazards at work

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2. THE TOOL

Tools can range from very primitive tools like a hammer, chisel, and needle, to automated equipment.

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3. THE PROCESS

In the process, materials used can be toxic. The process itself can affect the potential harmfulness of the materials.

For example, the particle size or physical state (solid, liquid and gas) of potentially harmful substances can determine to a large extent what ill effects in workers may develop from those substances

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4. THE WORK ENVIRONMENT. Occupational environment means the sum of external conditions and influences which prevail at the place of work and which have a bearing on the health of the working population.

The industrial worker today is placed in a highly complicated environment and the work environment is getting more complicated as human is becoming more innovative or inventive

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CONTRIBUTORS TO THE “ENVIRONMENT” Chemical

− Air pollutants, toxic wastes, pesticides, VOCs

Biologic

− Disease organisms present in food and water

− Insect and animal allergens

Physical

− Noise, ionizing and non-ionizing radiation

Socioeconomic

− Access to safe and sufficient health care

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FACETS OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH Environmental epidemiology −Associations between exposure to environmental agents and subsequent development of disease Environmental toxicology − Causal mechanisms between exposure and subsequent development of disease Environmental engineering − Factors that govern and reduce exposure Preventive medicine − Factors that govern and reduce disease development Law −Development of appropriate legislation to protect public health

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SHOULD YOU CARE ABOUT ORGANIZATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (OHS)?

- Acute environmental catastrophes (high-level exposures)

- Chronic (low-level) exposures

- Indirect effects of global environmental changes

THE WORLD OF WORK THEN … "a foul and poisonous dust [that] flies out from

these materials, enters the mouth, then the throat and lungs, makes the workmen cough incessantly, and by degrees brings on asthmatic troubles."

"in whom he found heaps of sand that in running the knife through the pulmonary vesicles he thought he was cutting through some sandy body."

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THE WAKE-UP CALLS: ENVIRONMENTAL / ORGANIZATIONAL CATASTROPHES Minamata disease (1953–1961)

− Methyl mercury poisoning

Seveso, Italy (1976)

− Leak of toxic gas (TCDD)

Bhopal (1984)

−16.5 tons of toxic pesticide released

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THE WAKE-UP CALLS: ENVIRONMENTAL / ORGANIZATIONAL CATASTROPHES Chernobyl (1986)

− Nuclear reactor accident

Milwaukee incident (1993)

− Cryptosporidium in drinking water

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AGENTS AND VECTORS

Agents

− Chemical, biological, and physical

Vectors

− Water, air, soil, and food

Routes of entry

− Inhalation, ingestion, absorption

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ENVIRONMENT PULLS THE TRIGGER

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THE INDUSTRIAL PROCESS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

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INTERACTION IN A WORKING ENVIRONMENT 1. Man and physical, chemical and biological agents.

a. The physical agents b. Chemical agents. c. The biological agents. d. Ergonomic hazards.

2. Man and machine

3. Man and his psychosocial environment.

1. MAN AND PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL AGENTS.

Biologic

hazards

Chemical hazards Physic

al hazard

s

Ergonomic

stresses

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INTERACTION IN A WORKING ENVIRONMENT Basically, there are three types of interaction in a working environment: -

1. Man and physical, chemical and biological agents.

a. The physical agents.

These include excessive level of • Noise • Heat and humidity • Dust • Vibration • Electricity or lighting • Radiation etc

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b. Chemical agents.

These arises from excessive air borne concentrations of • Chemical dust • Mists • Fumes • Liquids • Vapors • Gases • Dust

B. CHEMICAL AGENTSChemical hazards

•Formaldehyde•Cigarette smoke•Carbon monoxide•Carbon dioxide•Cleaning Agents

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c. The biological agents.

These include: • Presence of insects and rodents • Microorganisms • Poisonous plants and animals• Pollens, allergens and dusts• People, plants, mites, pests• Condensed water in air conditioners, clogged drains, etc.

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INTERACTION IN A WORKING ENVIRONMENT d. Ergonomic hazards.

These include excessive improperly designed tools, work areas, or work procedures. Improper lifting or reaching, poor visual conditions, or repeated motions in an awkward position can result in accidents or illnesses in the occupational environment

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INTERACTION IN A WORKING ENVIRONMENT 2. Man and machine

An industry or factory uses power driven machines for the purpose of mass production.

Unguarded machines, protruding and moving parts, poor electrical and machinery installation of the plant, and lack of safety measures are the causes of accidents.

Working for long hours in an awkward postures or positions is the causes of fatigue, backache, diseases of joints and muscles and impairment of the workers health and efficiency

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INTERACTION IN A WORKING ENVIRONMENT 3. Man and his psychosocial environment.

There are numerous psychosocial factors, which operate at workplace. These are the human relationships among workers themselves and those in authorities over them.

Examples of psychosocial factors include:- The type and rhythm of work. Work stability. Service conditions. Job satisfaction. Leadership style. Security. Workers` participation and communication. Motivation and incentives.

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OCCUPATIONAL ENVIRONMENT V/S DOMESTIC ENVIRONMENT The occupational environment of the worker cannot be considered apart from his domestic environment. Both are complementary to each other.

The worker takes his worries to his/her home and bring to his work disturbances that has arisen in his/her home.

Stress at work may disturb his sleep, just as stress at home may affect his work.

Hazards in the workplace can cause harm if there is undue exposure such as through elevated workplace concentration without proper control measures.

IMPORTANT TO CHARACTERIZE EXPOSURE

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PATTERNS OF EXPOSURE TO HAZARDS

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ROUTES OF EXPOSURE

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN TREATMENT

HARMFUL EXPOSURES

EARLY IN WORKING LIFE

MODIFY NORMAL COURSE OF

PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES

DUE TO AGEING ALONE

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INTERDISCIPLINARY RELATIONSHIPS Environmental Managers: are those trying to eliminate hazards from the workplace cause many environmental problems.

Toxicology: is the science that studies poison ands toxic substances and their mechanisms and effects on living organisms. In other words toxicology is the study of adverse effects of chemical on biologic systems, or when a substance has a capacity to produce undesirable physiological effect when the chemical reached a sufficient concentration at a specific site in the body.

Toxicologists: are persons who study poisoning and responsible defining quantitatively the level of exposure at which harm occurs and they also prescribe precautionary measures and exposure limitations so that normal recommended use of chemical substance does not result in excessive exposure and subsequent harm

Ergonomics: is a multidisciplinary activity dealing with the interaction between man and his total working environment plus such traditional environmental elements as atmosphere, heat, light, and sound as well as all tools and equipment of the work place.

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INTERDISCIPLINARY RELATIONSHIPS Chemical engineers: are those who design process plant, they choose values, decide on how access will be gained and how cleaning will take place.

Mechanical engineers: are those who responsible for choosing materials handling systems or for specifying noise levels on machinery.

Environmental health professionals: are those who apply their knowledge and experience, understand the environmental health hazards, analyze the technical and social approaches and reduce and eliminate human exposures and health impacts.

Industrial hygienists: are scientists, engineers, and public health professionals committed to protecting the health people in the workplace and the community

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OSHA AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH Under the OSH Act, OSHA develops and sets mandatory occupational safety and health requirements applicable to the more than 6 million workplaces in the U.S.

OSHA relies on, among many others, industrial hygienists to evaluate jobs for potential health hazards.

Developing and setting mandatory occupational safety and health standards involves determining the extent of employee exposure to hazards and deciding what is needed to control these hazards to protect workers.

Industrial hygienists are trained to anticipate, recognize, evaluate, and recommend controls for environmental and physical hazards that can affect the health and well-being of workers.

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THE COMMON PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE INCLUDE

1. Lack of awareness among workers, employers, health planners, policy makers, health professionals and public at large.

2. Lack of trained human resource.

3. Inadequate, inaccessible, and inequitably distributed health service institutions.

4. Lack of multidisciplinary staff, absence of field-testing equipment for conducting environmental and biological monitoring of the work place and the health of the

workers.

5. Insufficient budget for carrying out regular inspections, conducting research activities.

6. The characteristics of the workers, the majorities are poor, illiterate or poorly educated.

7. Poor working environment.

8. No specific regulation/ legislation on occupational health and safety issues.

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THE COMMON PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE INCLUDE 9. Unfavorable climatic condition and heavy load of endemic disease: such as bilharzia, onchocerciasis, malaria, leishhuhumaniasis, and trypanosomiasis.

10. Absence of training institution on occupational health and safety.

11. Little or no collaboration or cooperation among stakeholders

12. Poor information exchange /net work in the area of OHS

13. Lack of multidisciplinary forum or panel

14. Absence of integration of occupational health and safety with general health service.

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PRINCIPLES OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY The basic principles for the development of occupational health and safety services are as follows:

a) The service must optimally be preventive oriented and multidisciplinary.

b) The service provided should integrate and complement the existing public health service.

c) The service should address environmental considerations

d) The service should involve, participation of social partners and other stakeholders

e) The service should be delivered on panned approach

f) The service should base up to date information, education, training, consultancy, advisory services and research findings

g) The service should be considered as an investment contributing positively towards ensuring productivity and profitability

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SCOPE OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY The scope of occupational health and safety is three-fold.

It begins with the anticipation and recognition of workers’ health problems in an industrial atmosphere. The causes of these problems may be chemical, physical, biological, psychological, and agronomical environments.

The second scope includes evaluation of the recognized problem, which encompasses mainly data collection, analysis, interpretation, and recommendations.

Finally, the third scope involves the development of corrective actions to eliminate or limit the problem. Generally, the work frame of occupational health and safety is wide and needs multidisciplinary approach.

It requires the knowledge of physics, biology, chemistry, ergonomics, medicine, engineering, and related sciences. It also requires public health management skills for proper communication and decision making.

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RISK ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT

Prevention of disease/injury

Promotion of good health and

safety

Improvement of safety and

health

HEALTHY, SAFE, COMFORTABLE PRODUCTIVIT

Y

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ORGANIZATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY HU - 122. ORGANIZATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY A basic introduction.

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