Occupational Health

• Occupational Health


  A cross-disciplinary area concerned with protecting the health and safety of people engaged in work or employment
• Occupational Health & Safety

  • It may also protect coworkers, family members, employers, customers, suppliers, nearby communities, and other members of the public who are impacted by the workplace environment
• Occupational Hazards in the Workplace

  • Health Hazards
  • Safety Hazards
• Health Hazards

  • Physical
  • Biological
  • Chemical
  • Ergonomic
• Physical Hazards


  Agents within the work environment that may cause physical harm or tissue damage
• Acute effects of Physical Hazards

  Skin burns & cuts
• Chronic effects of Physical Hazards

  Leukemia, cancer, etc.
• Chemical Hazards


  Chemicals in the work environment that may be potentially toxic and irritating to the body
• Chemical Hazards


  • Dust
  • Fumes
  • Vapors
  • Solvents
  • Oils
• Acute effects of Chemical Hazards

  Respiratory irritation, chemical burns, contact dermatitis
• Chronic effects of Chemical Hazards

  Cancers, pneumonia, birth defects
• Biological Hazards


  Viruses, bacteria, fungi, mold or parasites
• Acute effects of Biological Hazards

  Self-limiting infections => colds, influenza, etc.
• Chronic effects of Biological Hazards


  TB, Hepatitis B virus infection
• Mechanical Hazards


  Caused by mechanical agents that can cause stress on musculoskeletal or other parts of the body
• Mechanical Hazards


  • Inadequate work-station and tool design
  • Frequent repetition of a limited movement
  • Repeated awkward movements
• Acute effects of Mechanical Hazards

  Neck strain, visual fatigue
• Chronic effects of Mechanical Hazards


  Back injury, carpal tunnel syndrome
• Psychosocial Hazards


  Often related to nature of job, organizational structure, culture, leadership and management style
• Acute effects of Psychosocial Hazards

  BP, sleep disturbances, fatigue, depression
• Chronic effects of Psychosocial Hazards

  Hypertension, alcoholism
• Occupational Injury


  Any injury, such as cut, fracture, sprain or amputation that results from a single incident in the work
• Occupational Illness


  Any abnormal condition / disorder caused by exposure to environmental factors associated with employment
• Important Occupational Health Problems

  • Occupational lung disease
  • Musculoskeletal injuries
  • Occupational cancer
  • Traumatic death
  • Cardiovascular diseases
  • Reproductive problems
  • Neurotoxic illness
  • Noise-induced hearing loss
  • Dermatologic problems
  • Psychological disorders
• Factors that Influence the Nature and Extent of Occupational Health Programs


  • Type of industry or business
  • Nature of its products and of the ingredients and equipment used in its manufacture
  • Size and location of the establishment
• Application of Public Health Principles to Occupational Health Program

  • Safe and healthful working condition
  • Control of personal causes of injuries
  • Provision of medical services
• Safe and healthful working condition

  • Proper building design
  • Pleasant and safe workplace in terms of space, ventilation, temperature and lighting
  • Safe and design of machines and tools
  • Control of chemical and physical factors in the plant
• Control of personal causes of injuries

  • Placement of workers according to their age, sex, physical and mental ability
  • Removal of stress and other related factors
  • Promotion of good human relation
• Provision of medical services

  • Pre-employment and periodic medical examinations
  • Health education and other preventive measures
  • Treatment of occupational and non-occupational diseases
• Legal Control of Occupational Health Services

  • RA 1054 / Occupational Health Act
  • PD 442 / Labor Code of the Philippines
  • PD 626 / Employees Compensation and State Insurance Fund or Workers Compensation Law
  • RA 679 & RA 1131 / Woman and Child Labor Law
• Control Measures


  • Administrative Control
  • Engineering Control
  • Use of PPE
• Administrative Control


  • Work transfer
  • Job rotation
  • Rest breaks
  • Training
  • Policies and procedures
• Engineering Control


  • Substitution
  • Isolation
  • Machine guards
  • Lockout/ tag-out system
  • Automation