Occupational Health Concepts Flashcards
Define a Hazard
Something with the potential to cause harm
Define a Risk
Risk is the likelihood of harm occurring (in defined circumstances and usually qualified by some statement of the severity of the harm)
Talk about the relationship of hazard and risk
The relationship between hazard and risk must be treated very cautiously. If all other factors are equal - especially the exposures and the people subject to them, then the risk is proportional to the hazard. However, all other factors are very rarely equal.
An agent of relatively low hazard may pose a substantial risk (e.g. chronic exposure to flour for bakery employees). On the other hand, if risks are mitigated by control measures, an agent that is extremely hazardous may pose a negligible / low risk (e.g. use of potassium dichromate in alcohol breathalysers)
Characterisation of risk
What are control measures?
Interventions or actions implemented in the workplace to minimize, reduce, manage or eliminate health and safety risks, thus protecting workers from exposure to hazards and preventing occupational illnesses or injuries.
The Health and safety at work act of 1974 places a duty on employers to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of their employees.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations focus on managing risks arising due to hazardous substances.
What is the Hierarchy of controls?
The hierarchy of controls is a systematic approach to managing workplace risks, prioritising solutions based on their effectiveness (from most to least effective):
1) Elimination - completely removing the hazard from the workplace e.g. replacing a dangerous chemical with a non-toxic alternative, using pre-fabricated parts eliminating need for employees to work at height
2) Substitution - replacing the hazard with a less dangerous one e.g. replacing a highly toxic chemical with a less toxic one (solvent paint for water-based paint), substituting a hazardous machine with one with safety features like automated shutdown or reduced noise
3) Engineering Controls - physical changes to the workplace and/or work processes to isolate workers from hazards e.g. ventilation systems (local exhaust ventilation to capture airborne dust/fumes) and machine guards/barriers (to prevent workers coming into contact with moving parts), soundproofing or noise reduction equipment
4) Administrative Controls - policies, procedures and work schedules to reduce worker’s exposure to risks e.g. job rotation / hours limitation to limit repetitive strain injuries or exposure to other hazardous work or implementing health and safety training
5) PPE - protective equipment (ear plugs, hard hats, gloves, high vis or protective clothing, eye protection, respirators) to protect workers from residual hazards once other controls have been implemented
