Occupation Health

Question 1

Define occupation health

Answer 1

Is a multidisciplinary activity that looks at person’s physical, mental and social well-being as well as their general health and development in a workplace.

Question 2

Goals of occupational health

Answer 2

Protection and prevention - promoting worker’s health from hazards at work.
Adaptation - adapting work and work environment to the capabilities of workers
Health promotion- promoting the physical and psychological well-being of workers.
Curative
Rehabilitative - minimising the consequences of occupational hazards, accidents and injuries

Question 3

Functions/Activities of occupational health services

Answer 3

To assess the environment and working practices that may affect the workers health.
Health education on occupational health and ergonomics.
Advice on safety and hygiene.
To identify and assess the risks of health in relation to work design.
Promote adaptation of the workplace.

Question 4

Types of risk assessments

Answer 4

Baseline RA - Refers to a reference point for future risk assessment with the purpose of establishing a broad overview of the risks and hazards within a specific working environment.

Issued based RA - Involves identifying risks in a specific tasks processes or activities and developing plans of action to manage risks.

Continuous RA - Involves the continuous monitoring of hazards and risks in the working environment and correcting them immediately in order to minimise development of future risks and hazards

Question 5

Hierarchy of risk reduction

Answer 5

1. Substitute substances - replace hazard with something that is not hazard.
2. Eliminate process - physically eliminate hazard. Eg bring down the work to the ground for employees working at a height.
3. Segregate process - isolate people from hazards.
4. Insulate process - change the way people work.
5. Remove hazards - physically life threatening hazards are been removed.
6. Limit exposure - introduce personal protective equipment.