Occupational Health Flashcards
Harm definition
Death, injury, and any form of physical or mental illness
Hazard
Anything that might cause harm
Includes desth and injury and any form of physical or mental illness
Risk
A chance of a harm actually occurring
Type of relationship between health and work
2 ways relationship
Legal aspects (IV) Labour Act 651 : Obligation of Employees
Publication of employees to use safety appliances, PPE & other equipment in compliance with instructions
•Has Right to remove oneself from dangerous situation
BUT
•Law absolves employer for liability for injury suffered by worker due to non-compliance
What is occupational health
The science and arts devoted to the anticipation recognition evaluation in control of factors and stresses from work, which may cause sickness impaired health and well-being or significant discomfort and inefficiency among workers or among the citizens of the community
1992 constitution about occupational health safety
Every person has the right to work under safe and healthy conditions
Legal aspect (III) labour act 651, 2003
Duty of all employers to ensure that every worker employed by him or her works under satisfactory safe and healthy conditions
the employer has to
provide safe system of work ensure work environment free of risk to health and safety
prevent accident and injury to health
supply and maintain safety appliances
provide safe drinking water, toilet and other Hygiene facilities
What are all the parties involved in occupational health
Physicians nurses occupational hygienist sociologists psychologist Toxicologists Health physicist microbiologist Epidemiologists Ergonomist Safety engineers lawyers
What are all the stake holders in. Occupational health
Workers and their families employers shareholders community nation consumers legislators suppliers insurers media pressure groups
What is the function of occupational health services
Address risks from hazards caused by work and work environment to workers
What are the five basic strategies adopted by occupational health services
Preventive activities promotional activities Curative activities rehabilitation activities research activities
What is the goal of doing pre-employment health screening
See if person has pre-existing ill health or disability that can impact performance or could be in safe for the individuals or other workers
See if workplace can be adapted to disability of the individual
used as that baseline data for future assessments
reinforce advice on health promotion
What are the clinical occupational health activities
Pre-employment health screening
Periodic medical examination
Post sickness absence review
Retirement on grounds of ill health
exit medical examination
immunization
health education and counseling
treatments
rehabilitation
early return to work
What is the function of periodic medical examinations
It’s a legal requirements especially against asbestos leas ionizing radiation
Help advice on health and illness and reinforce occupational health prevention
What is the goal of post sickness absence review
Sees person has no residual effects from cause of sickness which Can impair return to work
What is the goal of retirement and grounds of ill Health
Health worker leave a job with benefits
What is an alternative to the retirement on grounds of ill health
Redeploying the worker Add another position but in the same establishments where Health will not be an issue
What is the goal of exit medical examination
Don’t work or before retirement which gives that’s all employees at the point of exit and help workers receive assistance for managing it after they leave the employment
What is the goal of health education and counseling
Using excess workforce to reduce risk factors for diseases in general and steps to prevent occupational disorders
What does rehabilitation involve
Facilitate early return to work
if disability -> provide services adapted
assist some staff to be granted retirement on medical grounds
facilitate payment of compensation or benefits
What are the benefits of early return to work
Employer minimize workers compensation costs
employees can return to work
social security doesn’t have to pay long-term benefits for disability
society wins by still having qualified labor
What are some non-clinical occupational health activities
Assessment of workplace through recognition and evaluation, control of workplace general advice and support audits quality assurance research
How do you recognize and evaluate a workplace
You recognize hazards in the workplace through seeing smelling hearing etc
. you evaluate the workplace by using measurements analytical techniques to quantify contamination with precision and accuracy
How do you control a workplace in occupational health
Results of assessment used to improve work environment by eliminating or controlling the hazard presents
What type of general advice and support our given by occupational health services
Advice and compensation disaster planning advice with dealing with chemical incident and accident food hygiene advice environmental issues
What is the bhopal disaster
More than 40 tons of methyl isocyanate gas leaked from a pesticide plant in India and killed 3800 people with lots of illness and premature death
it happens because the US decided to cut safety corners at the factory which led to this accident
About 50,000 survivors with chronic health effects nowadays
What are the benefits to individual workers when educational Health services is good
Good fit between worker and job necessary job adjustments Suitable alternative work good monitoring of health and exposure assisting return of sick and injured provision of safety information first aid for accident victims minimize risk of travel identification of hazards and management of frisk
What are some benefits to managers from a good Occupational health services
They understand legal obligations
better health policies and procedures
change in management of processes to consider health and human factors better
fitness standards to manage absence and ill health retirement ethically fairly and objectively
services That meet appreciated needs and values
What are the benefits of good occupational health service to community
Less pollution so less ill health
Healthier living conditions through healthy foods and healthy lifestyle through promotion of healthy lifestyle
What are some obstacle to occupational health in developing countries
Less resources allocated to occupational health prevention
weak laws on provision of occupational health services
lack of political commitment to occupational health services
very few occupational health professionals
inadequate information and research
What are the different types of hazards
Mechanical hazards physical hazard chemical hazards biological hazards Ergonomic hazards psychosocial hazards
What are some examples of mechanical hazards
Machine parts transport floors working stands and platform Ladders roof support
What are some example of physical hazard
Noise vibrations electricity nonionizing radiation Extreme temperature humidity air velocity air cleanliness
What are some chemical hazard
Dust gases vapors Toxic materials Waste fire explosion
What are some biological hazards
viruses bacteria fungi
What are some ergonomic Hazard
Lifting heavy loads
unsuitable tools and control
wrong postures in working
What are some psychosocial hazards
Long working hours monotonous work working alone working under pressure bullying at work
What is another way to classify hazard
Obvious hazards
Hidden Hazard
What are Obvious hazard
Cause immediate damage to health like electricity fire etc.
What are hidden hazards
Long-term damage to health like dust , noise, stress etc.
What is risk
Likelihood that a Defines harm will be realized under specific condition or circumstance of work
Classification of risk
High medium or low
What are the determinants of risk
Severity of health harm
frequency or probability of harm occurrence
What determines the severity of health harm of risk
Prognosis of condition incapacitation or disability associated stigma associated Lost of work days or medical absence the cost of treatment
What is remind super mobility of occurrence of risk
Existing likelihood based on past incidents or prevalence of health harm
potential likelihood through computers simulations and the level of control against hazards in place
How do you evaluates Hazard
Through measurements
Through calculation of dose
by keeping records
What are the effects of biological hazards
Infections
parasitic infestation
allergies
What are the effects of chemical hazard
Allergies
cancers
What are the effects of ergonomic hazard
Musculoskeletal injuries
back pain
What are the effects of psychosocial hazard
Stress
depression
What is occupational toxicology
Workplace exposure to chemicals
What is the relationship between dose and a response
The time of exposure (dose) to a toxic element can cause and effect on the exposed organism
What is acute exposure
Short time exposure but High concentration
What is chronic exposure
Long-term exposure but low concentration
What is a threshold dose
Lowest level of dosage at which a response is manifested
What is LD50
Lethal dose that produces death in 50% of the exposed population
What are the different type means of exposure
Inhalation
ingestion
injection
What is the most common route of entry into body of toxic substance
Inhalation
What type of hazardous substances affect blood
Lead
benzene
Aniline
Cyanide
What type of hazardous substances affect the central nervous system
Lead
mercury
trichloroethylene
What type of Toxic substance affect the heart
Carbon disulfide
What type of toxic substance affect the eyes
Ammonia
chlorine
silver compounds
What type of toxic substance affect the kidneys
Lead
mercury
cadmium
What type of toxic substance affect the liver
Lead
carbon tetrachloride
What type of substance affect the peripheral nervous system
Acrylamide
n hexane
What type of toxic substance affect the reproductive system
Isofurane
pesticides
What type of toxic substance affect the respiratory system
Ammonia Chlorine Kaolin talc cadmium
What type of toxic substance affect the skin
Chromium compounds
Nickel salts
What are the type of control methods in occupational health
Software or administrative control
hardware of engineering control
What are some administrative control techniques
Substitution isolation segregation maintenance housekeeping education training personal hygiene
What are some engineering control techniques
Total or partial enclosure local exhaust ventilation changing process shielding personal protective equipment
What is the most effective way of control
Elimination of contaminant
Why do you use substitution control method
When there is an acceptable level of risk but it is not possible to eliminate contaminants as the contaminant is a great use for the work place
When do you add more control measures to a substitution measure
If you substitute to contaminants but there still high risk of hazard then it’s important to add more control measures
Other than elimination and substitution what are some other control measures
Changing of process isolation segregation maintenance housekeeping education training workforce PPE
What are some way to change the process in order to reduce hazard risk
Quiet modification of the conditions like reduction of temperature ,reduction of surface area for liquid evaporation, having more people to lift objects or patients
What is isolation and segregation in hazard control
Removing individual post potentially exposed to the hazard without doing nothing to the hazard itself
What are some different ways of doing isolation or segregation measure control
Total enclosure
partial enclosure
physical barrier
Maximization of distance between source and receiver
time of exposure control
Picking workforce based on age or six to make sure that they can support the work conditions
What is maintenance and housekeeping control
Schedule of maintenance to minimize likelihood of breakdowns, spills etc.
Personal hygiene necessary
supply of clothes for work
specific area for eating drinking and smoking
How does the workforce plays into control measures
Use control methods provided and consequences of non-use
explanation of labeling system
location of material safety data sheets
reporting defects
What is the last resort to control hazard
Personal protective equipment equipment
What are the first situation in which use of PPE is defensible
When there’s no technically feasible way to control exposure
for emergency procedures such as spillage
For maintainance work where usual controls have been switched off to facilitate access
when there is an immediate risk they need to be controlled and until such time effectiveness are evaluated for other means of control
What is risk assessment
Careful examination of workplace to identify what could cause harm to people and conclude if enough proof precautions are taken
What are the steps in risk assessments
Identify the hazard decide who might be harmed evaluate risk ,decide on precautions record findings ,implement them review records update
Why is risk assessments necessary
Prevent disease
improve health
When do you do risk assessment
Hazard has been identified
change to work place
after incident accident workplace illness
at scheduled times
What is exposure assessments
Study of distribution and determinants of substances are factors affecting human health
Risk control definition
Identification and implementation of the most cost effective risk control measures
What is monitoring and review in risk assessments
Ongoing monitoring of hazards identified ,risk assessment and risk control processes
reviewing them to make sure that they are working effectively
What is a procedure of risk assessment
Identify the hazard assess the risk decide on the change required make the change Monitor and review
How do you identify hazards in risk assessment
Consult employees about their impression examination of work area consult past incident and accident learned about equipment creative thinking
How do you determine who might be harmed by hazard
From work experience
from exposure assessments
What are the different type of exposure during exposure assessments
Actual exposure
cumulative exposure
average exposure
Peak exposure
What document is used for exposure assessment
A hazard summary sheets linked with a risk assessment table
In the risk assessment table what indicates top priority and what is the consequence
Number 1 and 2 -> top priority risk
should isolate hazard immediately because of risk of fatality and permanent disability
In the work the risk assessment table what indicates medium priority
3 and 4
Should remove hazard as soon as possible within one month
Could lead to medical attention several days off work or long-term illness or serious injury
In the risk assessment table what indicates low priority
5 and 6
must fix the cause in three months
First aid might be needed
What are the different way to make a change or find solution of hazard
Eliminate the hazard
substitute the hazard
isolate or enclose the hazard
engineering solution like different machinery
administrative procedures with better work methods to reduce condition of risk
used PPE
training
What are the 6Ps when investigating a Work place
Premises process products pollutants personnel preservation
Ergonomy definition
Science of improving employee performance and well-being in relation to job tasks equipment and environment
What is the role of occupational ergonomic
Optimize worker well-being
optimize productivity
minimize workplace stress factors
minimize Medical compensation cost
What is cumulative trauma disorder
Disorder that often happen in the workplace due to repetitive movements and overuse causing damage and pain to body
What is the repetitive motion disorder
Muscular conditions that result from repeated motions performed in normal Work or daily activities
What are some causes of repetitive motion disorders
Over exertion
incorrect posture
muscle fatigue
compression of nerves or tissue
too many uninterrupted repetition of an activity or motion
friction due to awkward or unnatural motion
What are some examples of repetitive motion disorder
Carpel tunnel syndrome Dequervains disease Raynaud’s syndrome tendinitis tenosynovitis trigger finger
Occupation with the most injuries and illnesses
Truck drivers nursing attendant laborers non-construction janitors cleaners construction laborers
Main body part affected by injury at work
The back
upper extremities
lower extremities
What is health surveillance
Systems or periodic clinical , physiological ,biological monitoring procedures to protect health of individuals or group of workers exposed to certain ill health risks
want to detect early signs of work related ill health effects preferably when it’s still reversible
What type of prevention is health surveillance
Secondary prevention
What is the advantage of health surveillance
Can find direct link between occupational health staff and workers
Reinforce health advice
answer workers question
What are the follow up action in health surveillance
Review individual exposure review other exposed workers review control measures guides and reassure manage medically affected worker reinforced education for all
What are the ethical issues with health surveillance
There should be p a competent person in charge ,no conflict of interest , confidence agreement with all, protect rights of individuals
What are the rights of the worker in health surveillance
Understanding of what’s done why and how it relates to employment informed consent consent for test and feedback privacy personal feedback openness about research component
What are the limitation of health surveillance
May not detect Health effects
No treatments
may need expert interpretation of results
may be expensive and time consuming
What are the different procedures in health surveillance
Record reviews
symptom review
healthcare staff assessment
medical examinationn
What is ports Health Purpose and scope
Maximum degree of protection against international spread of disease with minimum interference on movement of people goods and services
Technical applicable certificates to international travels
ensure quick efficient accurate connection and dissemination of information in international public health
Notify WHO Of all public health events of international concern
Work with all stakeholders in international travels for optimum public health service
What are the four core functional areas covered by the public health officer at the port Health unit
Disease control and surveillance
food safety
port sanitation
vector control
How is the surveillance done at the port
Travelers certificate of Vaccination inspection
Proper documentation of general declaration of health of all conveyances entering country
Everybody working at intraplant vaccinated against yellow fever
Supervisor service providers and services about travelers relating to public health and disease prevention like inspection and medical examination
Inspection and monitoring of baggage cargo containers good and human remains to ensure that there’s no source of infection or contamination like vectors and reservoir of public health importance
Where can travelers Into country get information about pandemic situation activities
Website of travelers health
social media
press releases
Where can travelers from the country get information about pandemic situation activities
Travelers Health website
traveler health alert notice at ports distribution and evaluation
What is the main aim of foods hygiene
Prevent contamination of food stuffs at all stages in their handling at the port
How is food safety insurance at port
Regular inspection of food houses and catering services
regular medical screening of food operators and handlers at the port
protection of food at all times from insect and vermin at the ports
conduct regular expections of certain food items entering country
What is port sanitation
Insurance that facilities used by travelers are in sanitary conditions and cats free from sources of infection
What is conveyance sanitation
Supervise monitor and control sewage, refuse potentially causing disease matter from the porch and aircraft after inspection and supervision of all sanitary contractors and vessels airlines
What is vector control at port
Regulation and monitoring of any deratting, disinfection of the port with certifications
