Theory and Practice of H&S Flashcards
Who was Kevin Rebeck?
Worked for MFL to improve workplace rights (minimum wage, free menstrual products, 1:1 apprentice to journey men)
What is Chemical / Occupational Exposure?
Limit of what body can do
Changes are slow nationally
International changes must take effect quickly
What is a workplace injury?
“Ill health- such as a physical or mental injury or illness - that arises because of a worker’s employment” Limited definition
How are acute injuries involved in workplace injuries?
focus on serious bodily hamr, ignoring other types
these are the smallest but make the news the most open
What is the social construction of a workplace injury?
Belief that it has a certain look and involves certain people
ex: women w/ carpal tunnel are less recognized
Why is the definition of a workplace injury important?
Shapes what we know, define and report
What is the technical approach of workplace injuries?
emphasizes mechanisms of injury and mitigates them (ex. wet floor, equipment)
See injuries as rare and manageable but inevitable
Dominant view from employers and governments
What is the political economy approach to workplace injuries?
emphasize power and resources and conflicting interests of workers and employers (pay, health, etc)
For employers injuries are economic, workers its about health and life
Market competition and pursuit of profit is the source of risk for workers (cost cutting)
Understands health and safety as political and need to be addressed universally to prevent small issues
What is the technical approach to injury causation?
workplace hazards: physical, ergonomic, chemical, biological, psycho-social hazards
What is the political economy approach to injury causation?
understand chain of causation (need job, need to risk self to survive)
Understand who determines the conditions of the work and how they shape workplace risks
The careless worker myth: employer is still responsible to protect them and discipline
How does protecting profit affect the governing of workplace health and safety?
governments ensure good business climate, creates pressure from workers and employers, must ensure production and profit which creates a power imbalance in effectiveness
How does maintaining legitimacy affect the governing of workplace health and safety?
governments must also maintain public legitimacy and manage the costs of workplace injuries.
As employers governments must deal with their own risks
Where does most data on workplace injury statistics come from
AWCBC from workers compensations boards
What are some issues in collecting workplace injuries statistics?
only successful claims are counted, leads to undercounts, data is judged per 100 full time equivalent employees
What is a lost-time injury claim?
when someone is out of work for a period of time due to injury
