IB1 - Managing Occupational Health Flashcards
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines HEALTH as …
“A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”
Occupational Health according to ILO is…
The promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations by preventing departures from health, controlling risks and the adaptation of work to people, and people to their jobs.
What is the definition of Well-Being according to ESRC?
“Wellbeing is a state of being with others, where human needs are met, where one can act meaningfully to pursue one’s goals, and where one enjoys a satisfactory quality of life.”
What are the 5 categories of occupational health hazards?
- Biological
- Chemical
- Physical
- Psychological
- Ergonomics
Give examples of Biological Hazards
These include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. Biological hazards can be found in humans, animals, and the environment.
Give examples of Chemical Hazards
These include acids, alkalis, metals (such as lead and mercury), gases (such as carbon monoxide), dusts (such as silica) and fibres (such as asbestos).
Give examples of Physical Hazards
These include heat, lighting, noise, vibration, and radiation.
Give examples of Psychological Hazards
These include mental ill-health, stress, violence, and aggression
Give examples of Ergonomics Hazards
These include repetitive movement activities, manual handling, poor job design, uncomfortable workstation height, and poor body positioning.
What is the “Fitness to work” standard?
Fitness to work standards is an assessment put in place to ensure that the employee is fit to carry out the work safely without the risk to themselves and others.
What is the link between Occupational Health and General/Public Health?
Improving the health of the working population contributes to improving the health of the whole population.
What is “Fit to work” or “Fitness to work” ?
Is a medical assessment with the purpose is to determine if, medically, the worker can perform the job or task under the working conditions.
When is a “Fitness to work” carried out?
Often done to determine medical fitness :
- After an illness or injury,
- After employment has been offered, or
- As a condition of a job transfer or pre-placement.
Principles of a fitness to work process to include…
- Assessment of the risk
- The aim to match the requirements of a position with the reasonable (and foreseeable) health and capacity requirements for a worker in that position
- Any tests of functional capacity or medical examinations should relate to an assessment of fitness for the assignment or tasks.
- Tests and examinations should produce repeatable and consistent results
- Tests or examinations should apply equally to all who are required to do the work
- Tests and examinations must be legal in the country in which they are applied
- All work capacity tests or medical examinations must be safe.
What is the common approach to “Risk Assessment” according to the ILO?
The 5 steps to risk assessment are:
- Identify the hazards.
- Decide who might be harmed, and how.
- Evaluate the risks, and decide on precautions.
- Record your significant findings.
- Review your assessment and update if necessary.
What are the 5 steps for managing occupational health?
- Identification of Hazards - Factors which may cause harm
- Measurement - who is affected and how
- Evaluation - Making a judgement on the exposed risk
- Mitigation - Placing control measures in place to eliminate or reduce the risk
- Review - Measure and update when necessary
Mention health assessments that might be carried out in a workplace
- Fitness for Work
- Employment health assessment
- Return to work
- Job-related medical screening
Mention the benefits of an Occupational Health Service (OHS)
- Improve health
- Improve moral and well-being
- Improve productivity
- Reduce absenteeism
- Ensure legal compliance with external and internal requirements
- Reduce claims
- Expert contribution to risk assessments
- Access to specialist occupational health advice
Give an example of a configuration of an Occupational Health Service (OHS) ?
- Occupational health physician e.g. MD or DO
- Occupational health nurse
- Occupational health adviser
- Occupational health technician
When recruiting new employees what may be the role of an OHS?
- Health and fitness screening (manual handling training)
- Drugs and alcohol testing (drivers)
- Sight testing (DSE) / DSE assessments
Give examples of possible functions of an occupational health nurse
- assisting the employer with legal responsibilities
- monitoring the health of employees
- promoting good health at work
- helping with risk assessments
- dealing with cases of substance misuse
- advising on work placement through pre employment assessments
- managing health care facilities - basic first aid
- advising on ergonomic issues
- providing advice and counselling
Give examples of services offered by an occupational health service (OHS)
- Health promotion, eg, advice on work-related health, lifestyle (diet, exercise, smoking etc)
- Health assessment, eg, fitness for work, pre-placement/employment, return to work, job-related medical screening, pregnant workers
- Advice to management, eg, input to risk assessments, no-smoking policy, absence management etc
- Treatment services, eg, first aid, counselling, physiotherapy, other rehabilitation services
- Medical and health surveillance
What is the purpose of a health promotion programme?
- Help workers improve their own health & well being
- Combined effort of workers, employers and society
