HOSSANA HEALTH SCIENCE COLLAGE1

DEPARTMENT OF CLINICAL NURSING

COURSE :- Determinant of Health

Title :- Occupational Health and Safety1

GROUP 1:- ASSIGNMENT

MEMBERS NAME ID NUMBER
1. Amanuel Tumoro .................................................... GNR 3/16

2.Amarech Libe .............................................................GNR 4/16

3.Ashenafi Girma ..........................................................GNR 5/16

5.Asrat Ayele ................................................................ GNR 6/16

6.Bereket Demissie ......................................................GNR 7/16

7.Britukan Degu ............................................................GNR 8/16

8.Birtukan Girma ...........................................................GNR 9/16

9.Bizunesh Dagne .........................................................GNR 10/16

10.Defar Tamirat ..........................................................GNR 12/16

11. Deborah Mekonin ................................................... GNR 1 3/16

12. Dinkins Desta ...........................................................GNR 14/16

13. Elifinesh Ayele ..........................................................GNR 15/16

14. Erist Kidanu ...............................................................GNR 16/16

15. Eyasu Birhanu ...........................................................GNR 17/16

16. Fascia Adise ..............................................................GNR 18/16

17. Fozia Mohamed ........................................................GNR 19/16

18. Habtamu G/giorgis ...................................................GNR 20/16 SUBMIT TO INSTRACTOR ፦Mr Robel

19. Habtinesh Dagne ...................................................... GNR 21/16 SUBMISSION DATE ፦08/ 07/2017EC

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2CONTENT PAGE
Introduction Occupational Health and Safety.................................................3

Definition of terms ............................................................................................5

The scope of occupational health and safety ................................................6

Elements of the work environment .................................................................6

Occupational health hazard control…..............................................................7

Conclusion.........................................................................................................8

References.........................................................................................................9

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INTRODUCTION:
Introduction to Occupational Health and Safety
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) refers to the discipline concerned with the safety, health,
and welfare of people engaged in work or employment. It aims to promote a safe and healthy
work environment by preventing workplace hazards and ensuring compliance with health and
safety regulations.

The foundation of OHS is built on the recognition that workers have the right to a safe and
healthy work environment. This encompasses not only the physical aspects of safety—such as
machinery operation, ergonomic design, and hazardous materials management—but also the
psychological and emotional well-being of employees. Factors such as stress, workplace
bullying, and job satisfaction are integral components of a comprehensive OHS strategy.

Occupational health and safety is the discipline concerned with preserving and protecting

As per the definition adopted by the Joint ILO/WHO Committee on Occupational Health
(1950), occupational health is the adaptation of work to man and of each man to his job. It
has the following components.

. Promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well
being of workers in all occupations;

. Prevention among workers of departures from health caused by their working conditions;
. Protection of workers in their employment from risks resulting from factors adverse to
health; and

. Placing and maintenance of a worker in an occupational environment adapted to his

physiological and psychological equipment.

Historical and Legal Context

The origins of occupational health and safety concerns can be traced back to the Industrial
Revolution (late 18th to 19th century), which was marked by innovations like cotton
spinning3human resources in the workplace3and textiles, steam engines, iron founding etc.
This resulted in the emergence of cotton mills, semi-automated factories and iron industries,
which became the „leading sectors‟, which established the base for the Industrial Revolution3
Although the Industrial Revolution contributed to economic development, it had a negative
impact on the health and safety of the workers working in these factories and industries. Men
and women workers were exposed to harmful gases, toxins, acids, extreme heat and cold
temperatures, light and sound that had a harmful impact on their physical, social, and

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psychological health. The injuries, diseases and health hazards faced by workers as a result of
the Industrial Revolution drew the interest of scholars and leading thinkers of that period, who
felt that issues of industrial health and hygiene must be addressed.4

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)

OHS is defined as a field of study and practice that focuses on the physical, mental, and social
well-being of workers in their occupational environment. It aims to create safe and healthy
workplaces.

Occupational health deals with all aspects of health and safety in the workplace and has a
strong focus on primary prevention of hazards. The health of the workers have several
determinants, including risk factors at the workplace leading to cancers, accidents,
musculoskeletal diseases, respiratory diseases, hearing loss, circulatory diseases, stress related
disorders and communicable diseases and others.( World Health Organisation)

4Objectives
According to the document, Global Strategy on Occupational Health for All, the ten high
priority objectives proposed by the strategy are as follows:

. Strengthening of international and national policies for health at workand developing the
necessary policy tools

. Development of healthy work environment

. Development of healthy work practices and promotion of health at work
. Strengthening of OHS
. Establishing of support services for occupational health
. Development of occupational health standards based on scientific risk assessment
. Development of human resources for occupational health
. Establishment of registration and data systems, development of informationservices for
experts, effective transmission of data and raising of public awareness through public
information

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 . Strengthening of research5
. Development of collaboration in occupational health and with other activities and
services5

Definition of terms

• Occupational Health: A branch of public health that focuses on the physical and mental well-
being of workers, aiming to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses.

• Occupational Safety: The discipline concerned with the prevention of workplace accidents
and injuries.

• Hazard: A potential source of harm or adverse effect on a person or persons.

• Risk: The likelihood that a person may be harmed or suffers adverse effects if exposed to a
hazard.

• Hazard Identification: Recognizing potential hazards in the workplace, including physical,

chemical, biological, ergonomic, and psychosocial risks.

• Risk Assessment: Evaluating the likelihood and severity of risks associated with identified
hazards.

• Control Measures: Implementing strategies to eliminate or minimize risks, such as

engineering controls, administrative controls, personal protective equipment (PPE), and
training.

• Monitoring and Evaluation: Regularly assessing the effectiveness of OHS programs and
practices to ensure continuous improvement.

. Regulatory Framework: OHS is governed by various laws and regulations that vary by country
and industry. These regulations typically outline employer responsibilities, employee rights, and
standards for workplace safety.

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 . Culture of Safety: A strong safety culture within an organization encourages employees to
prioritize safety, report hazards, and participate in safety programs. This culture is essential for
effective OHS management.

. Training and Education: Providing training for employees on safety practices, emergency
procedures, and the proper use of equipment is crucial for promoting a safe work environment.

. Emerging Trends: The field of OHS is evolving to address new challenges such as mental
health awareness, the impact of remote work, and the integration of technology in workplace
safety.

. syntacti unambiguous manner: This helps to minimize misunderstandings and ensure

effective communication.

. Logical Reasoning: Language plays a crucialrole in logicalreasoning and criticalthinking. It

allows us to construct arguments, analyze propositions, evaluate evidence, and draw logical
conclusions. We can use words and language to express logicalrelationships, such as cause and
effect, comparison and contrast, and inference.

. Knowledge Acquisition: Language serves as a tool for acquiring knowledge and learning.
Through reading, listening, and engaging in conversations, we can access information and
expand our understanding of various subjects. Language allows us to access the knowledge and
experiences of others, both past and present.

The scope of occupational health, and safety

The scope of OHS encompasses:
1. Workplace Safety: Ensuring physical safety through proper equipment, training, and
protocols.

2. Health Promotion: Encouraging practices that improve overall worker health and well-being.

3. Regulatory Compliance: Adhering to laws and regulations governing workplace safety and
health.

4. Emergency Preparedness: Planning for potential emergencies and ensuring proper response
mechanisms are in place.

5. Worker Education: Training workers on safety practices, hazard recognition, and health risks.

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 Elements of the work environment
Key elements that influence occupational health and safety include:

1. Physical Environment: Includes factors like noise, temperature, lighting, and ergonomics.

2. Chemical Environment: Involves exposure to hazardous substances such as toxic chemicals,

dust, and fumes.

3. Biological Environment: Considers exposure to biological agents like bacteria, viruses, and
fungi.

4. Psychosocial Environment: Encompasses workplace culture, stress levels, and interpersonal

relationships.

Occupational health hazards

Occupational Hazards
An occupational hazard can be defined as any condition that may adversely affect the well
being or health of the exposed persons. Identification of hazardous agents and groups of
workers potentially exposed to these hazards are essential to characterise a workplace
involving any occupational activity.

Occupational hazards can be divided into two categories:

safety hazards that cause accidents that physically injure workers, and

health hazards that result in the developing of a disease. It is important to note that a “hazard”
only represents the potential to cause harm. Whether it actually does harm will depend on
circumstances, such as the number of workers exposed and the degree and duration of
exposure. The occurrence or severity of occupational disease is related to the exposure to
factors on the job or in the work environment. Such factors can be:

. Physical – heat, noise, radiation, vibration, cold

. Chemical – solvents, pesticides, heavy metals, dust

. Biological – Tuberculosis, hepatitis B virus, HIV

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. Psychosocial stressors – lack of control over work, inadequate

personal support

Conclusion
Occupational Health and Safety is essential for protecting workers and promoting a safe
working environment. By understanding the definitions, scope, elements of the work
environment, classifications of hazards, and control measures, organizations can significantly
reduce risks associated with workplace hazards.In generally, Occupational Health and Safety
(OHS) is a critical aspect of workplace management that aims to protect the well-being of
employees and ensure a safe working environment. Effective OHS practices not only reduce the
risk of workplace accidents and injuries but also enhance productivity, employee morale, and
overall organizational performance.

Reference:

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 ALLI, B.O. (2001), Fundamental Principles of Occupational Health
andSafetyIOLO:Geneva.Retrieved from
http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/@dgreports/@dcomm/@publ/documen
ts/publication/wcms_093550.pdf
 Brune, D. Eds; Gerhardsson, G.; Crockford, G.W.; Norback, D. 1997. The Workplace.
Volume 1: Fundamentals of Health, Safety and Welfare. International 9Occupational
Safety and Health Information Centre (CIS); International Labour Office, Geneva;
Scandinavian Science Publisher, Osl
 9Department of Occupational Safety and Health, Ministry of Human Resources,
Malaysia 2006
 Global Strategy on Occupational Health for All: The Way to Health at Work.
Recommendations of the Second Meeting of the WHO Collaborating Centres in
Occupational Health 11-14 October 1994,
Beijing,China,GENEVA.Retrievedfrom:http://www.who.int/occupatioal_health/en/
oehstrategy.pdf9
 "Introduction to Occupational Health and Safety" • Author: David L.
Goetsc • Edition: 4th Edition • Publisher: Pearson : 2018
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