OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARD (OHH)

INTRODUCTION

Occupational health should aim at the promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical,
mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations; the prevention among workers of departures
from health caused by their working conditions; the protection of workers in their employment from risks
resulting from factors adverse to health:

DEFINITION (OHH)

This is defined as the placing and maintenance of the worker in an Occupational environment adapted to
his physiological and psychological equipment, and, to summarize, the adaptation of work to man and of
each man to his job.

DEFINITION (OSH)

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH

This is generally define as the science of anticipation recognition, evaluation and control of hazards rising
in or from the workplace.

Principles of occupational health

The 2004 Act was varied to include the following health and safety principles:

 All people are given highest level of health and safety protection that is of reasonably practicable

 Those who manage or control activities that give rise, may give rise, to risks to health or safety
are responsible for eliminating or reducing health and safety risks, so far as is reasonably
practicable;

 Employers and self-employed people should be proactive and take reasonably practicable
measures to ensure health and safety in their business activities;

 Employers and employees should exchange information about risks to health or safety and
measures that can be taken to eliminate or reduce those risks, and

 Employees are entitled, and should be encouraged, to be represented on health and safety issues

Objectives
  To develop health and safety policy

 To provide safe place for work and working environment

 To adequately maintain equipment and other systems thereby ensuring their safety

 The maintenance and promotion of workers' health and working capacity

 The improvement of working environment and work to become conducive to safety and health

Types or forms of OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS

 Physical hazards

 Biological hazards

 Psychological hazards

 Chemical hazards

 Mechanical hazards

 Physical hazards

Physical Hazards - Are factors or conditions within the environment that can directly affect or harm the
human health. Physical hazard includes the following;

• Heat and cold

• Light

• Noise

• Vibration

• Radiation

Heart; Heart has direct and indirect effect to human and it includes the following
Direct effect

1- buns

2- Heat exhaustion

3- Heet stroke

4- Heat cramps

Indirect effect

1. Decreased efficiency

2. Increase fatigue

Cold

1. Chilblains

2. Erythrocyanosis

3. Vasoconstrictions

4. General hypothermia

Light

This is most concern with the acute effects of poor illumination (high or low) and it includes;

1. Eye strain,

2. Headache,

3. Eye pain,

4. Lacrymination,

5. Congestion around the cornea

6. Eye fatigue.

Noise
Noise effect the physiological function of ear and impair hearing that can either be permanent or
temporary. It includes the following effect;

(i) Auditory effects

Temporary or permanent hearing loss

(ii) Non auditory effects

Nervousness,

Interference with communication by speech,

Decreased efficiency

Vibrations

Vibration are physical factor which effect man through transmission of mechanical energy it can be of
two forms

1. segmental Vibrations

2. whole body vibrations

Exposure to vibration may also produce injuries of the joints of the hands elbows and shoulders.

Radiation; Radiation is energy that comes from a source and travel through a space at the speed of light, it
can be of two forms;

 Ultraviolet radiation this can have effect to some structures of the eye like the conjunctiva an
cornea;

Conjunctivitis

Keratitis (welder's flash).

 Ionizing radiation The radiation hazards comprise

Genetic changes

Malformation

Cancer
 Leukaemia Depilation

 Chemical hazard: Are hazardous chemicals and hazaous materials that poses wide range of
health hazard directly or indirectly.

It’s of two types

 Local action; this occur at the site of chemical contact e.g skin and it can cause the following
injury ;

Dermatitis

Eczema.

Ulcers

Cancer by primary irritant action

(2) Inhalation (systemic): this occur distance from the point of contact and may involve damage to the
body organ, it can be inform of

Ingestion and

Inhalation

1. Ingested chemical are disease that occur as a result of ingesting certain chemical that are harmful to the
body.

(2) Inhalation:

Dusts; retain dust has the ability to cause pneumoconiosis

Gases

Metals and their compounds

 Biological Hazard: Is a biological, substance that poses threat to the heath of a living organism.
Example viruses, bacteria, fungal
Biological hazards

Brucellosis

Leptospirosis

Anthrax

Hydatidosis

Tetanus

Encephalitis

fungal infections

Schistosomiasis

 Mechanical hazard; this type arise from relative movement between part of the human body and
object and cause injury to human like;

Cutting

Impact

Puncture

Stabbing

 Psychosocial hazards

This is aspect of work which have the potential to cause psychological or physical harm

Factors affect health

Frustration

Lack of job satisfaction,

Insecurity

Poor human relationships,

Emotional tension
PREVENTION OF OCCUPATION

This includes all measures that are supposed to be taken in order to improve the health status of the
individual workers.

It can be covers both medicals and engine measures

MEDICAL MEASURES

Pre-placement examination

Periodical examination

Medical and health care services

Notification

Supervision of working environment

Maintenance and analysis of records

Health education and counseling

PREVENTION OF OCCUPATIONAL DISE

ENGINEERING MEASURES

Design of building

Good housekeeping

General ventilation

Mechanization

Substitution

How to prevent mechanical injuries.

Dust-enclosure and isolation

Local exhaust ventilation

Protection of devices
Proper machinery arrangement

Environmental monitoring

Statistical monitoring and research

PREVENTION OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE

LEGISLATION; This is any legal requirement designed to provide safe and healthful working condition
in order to reduce occurrence of health hazard its of two;

 The Factory Act-1948

 The Employees state of insurance act 1948

 The Factory Act-1948

Provisions for Industrial worker

Employment provisions

Welfare provisions

Safety provisions

Sanitary provisions

The employee state of insurance act, 1948 ; is social scheme whih cover financial oss suffe by
employees e.g sickness, death and property loss

Benefits to employees

(1) Medical benefit

(2) Sickness benefit

(3) Maternity benefit

(4) Disablement benefit

(5) Dependent's benefit

(7) Rehabilitation allowance

WORK PLACE ACCIDENT

A work accident, workplace accident, occupational accident, or accident at work is a "discrete occurrence
in the course of work" leading to physical or mental occupational injury. According to the International
Labour Organization (ILO), more than 337 million accidents happen on the job each year, resulting,
together with occupational diseases, in more than 2.3 million deaths annually.

Causes of work pace accident

Unsafe behavior of workers

Unsafe working condition

Faulty equipment

Unsafe working environment

PRO- active

1. If you are worried about health and safety in your workplace, talk to your employer, supervisor, or
health and safety representative

2. You can also look at our website for general information about health and safety at work.

3. If, after talking with your employer, you are still worried, you can find the address of your local
enforcing authority for health and safety and the Employment Medical Advisory Service.

4. Fire safety you can get advice on fire safety from the Fire and rescue Services or your workplace fire
service.

What you must do if there is accident

1. Follow the training you have received when using any work items your employer has given you.

2. Take reasonable care of your own and other people's health and safety.
3. Co-operate with your employer on health and safety.

4. Tell someone (your employer, supervisor, or health and safety representative) if you think the work or
inadequate precautions are putting anyone's health and safety at serious risk.

Role of Nurse in occupational services

Occupational health nurses work to prevent, investigate, and treat workplace-related illnesses and injuries.

 To prevent workplace injuries and illnesses, occupational health nurses assess workplaces to
identify possible hazards.

 These nurses also educate employers and employees on how to prevent accidents and injuries.

 They may suggest changes in procedures or develop other ways to make workplaces safer.

 Occupational health nurses also make sure that workplaces comply with the Occupational Safety
and Health Act or OSHA standards.

 When an employee claims that an illness or injury is related to his work, an occupational health
nurse will also investigate the incident’s circumstances. For instance, they may look at an
employee’s medical charts to determine whether a workplace hazard could have caused the injury
or illness.

 These nurses may also perform drug and alcohol tests and investigate the causes of workplace
accidents. This is often necessary for workman’s compensation and medical insurance claims.

 Treating employees that get hurt or ill due to workplace hazards is another important
responsibility of occupational health nurses. This may include tending to injuries, administering
medication, and performing rehabilitation therapy after certain injuries.

 Occupational nurses will also screen new and prospective employees to ensure that they can
perform the duties required by their positions. This may include a physical examination, vision
test, hearing test, and drug or alcohol screening.