Occupational health

• Occupational Health refers to the potential risk to health & safety for those who work outside the home
• Hazard refers to something that can cause harm if not controlled
• Occupational Disease refers to disease directly caused by a person’s occupation
• Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) aims to provide a safe and healthy work environment
• Occupational Health should aim at the promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental, & social well being of workers in all occupations
• Occupational Health and Safety includes Risk Assessment, Injury Prevention, Work-life Balance, Safety Protocols, Workplace Hazards, Compensation and Benefits, and Employee Management
• The objective of Occupational Health is to maintain and promote the worker’s health and working capacity, improve the working environment and work, and develop work organizations that support health and safety
• Occupational Hazards include Physical Hazards, Chemical Hazards, Biological Hazards, Mechanical Hazards, Physiological Hazards, and Electrical Hazards
• Physical Hazards include Heat & Cold, Light, Noise, Vibration, Ultraviolet Radiation, and Ionizing Radiation
• Chemical Hazards include Gases, Fumes and Vapours, Dusts, and can cause harm via Local action, Ingestion, and Inhalation
• Biological Hazards are due to various parasites, zoonotic diseases, fungal infection, and bacterial infection
• Mechanical Hazards refer to unprotected machines, protruding moving parts, and lack of safety measures
• Physiological Hazards arise when the worker does not fit into the job due to incapacity, frustration, lack of job satisfaction, and poor human relations
• Electrical Hazards can lead to electrical burns, shock, and fires due to improper electric wiring and switches
• Measures for Health Protection of Workers include Nutrition, Communicable Disease Control, Environmental Sanitation, Mental Health, Measures for Women and Children, Health Education, and Family Planning
• Prevention of Occupational Disease involves Medical Measures, Engineering Measures, and Legislation
• Medical Measures include Replacement Examination, Periodical Examination, Medical and Health Care Services, Supervision of the working environment, Maintenance and Analysis of records, and Health Education & Counseling
• Engineering Measures involve the Design of Building to ensure a safe working environment
• Design of Building:

  • Type of floor, walls height, ceiling, roofs, doors & windows cubic space are important
  • Attention should be given to these factors
• Good Housekeeping:

  • Includes general cleanliness, ventilation, lighting, washing, food arrangements & general maintenance
• General ventilation:

  • Good ventilation in factories decreases air borne diseases to workers
• Dusts:

  • Can be controlled at the point of origin by water sprays
  • Plant should be designed to reduce hazard of contact with harmful substances
• Exhaust ventilation:

  • Extracts dusts, fumes, and other injurious substances at the source before they escape into the factory atmosphere
• Protective Devices:

  • Respirators and gas masks are used to protect workers against airborne contaminants
• Environmental monitoring:

  • Periodical monitoring to determine if dust and gases are escaping into the atmosphere
• The Labor Code of the Philippines:

  • A decree that revises and consolidates labor and social laws to protect labor, promote employment, and ensure industrial peace based on social justice
• General Labor Standards:

  • Includes provisions such as minimum wage, holiday pay, premium pay, overtime pay, night shift differential, service charges, service incentive leave, maternity leave, paternity leave, parental leave for solo parent, leave for victims of VAWC, special leave for women, and 13th month pay
• Health, Safety & Welfare:

  • Provisions for worker health, safety, and welfare, including measures to prevent injuries and ensure proper facilities like washing facilities, first aid appliances, rest rooms, and canteens
• Employment of young persons:

  • Prohibits employment of children below 14 years and sets restrictions for adolescent employees
• Hours Of Works:

  • Maximum of 48 working hours per week, not exceeding 9 hours per day, with rest breaks and limits on total weekly work hours
• Leave with Wages:

  • Workers entitled to leave with wages after 12 months of continuous service at specified rates
• Occupational Diseases:

  • Information on specified accidents causing death, serious injuries, and occupational diseases
• Benefits to Employees:

  • Provisions for medical, sickness, maternity, disablement, dependents, funeral expenses, and rehabilitation benefits
• Human resources are the most valuable resource
• Good health and safety practices can improve productivity
• Accidents and occupational diseases can lower morale and create fear in the workplace
• Accidents are costly and impact social responsibility