OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFTEY

(occupational health and saftey gadget)

 Health has been defined as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." Occupational health is a multidisciplinary field of healthcareconcerned with enabling an individual to undertake their occupation, in the way that causes least harm to their health.Since 1950, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have shared a common definition of occupational health. It was adopted by the Joint ILO/WHO Committee on Occupational Health at its first session in1950 and revised at its twelfth session in 1995. The definition reads:

"The main focus in occupational health is on three different objectives:  

 (i) the maintenance and promotion of workers’ health and working capacity; 

(ii) the improvement of working environment and work to become conducive to safety and health and

 (iii) development of work organizations and working cultures in a direction which supports health and safety at work and in doing so also promotes a positive social climate and smooth operation and may enhance productivity of the undertakings. The concept of working culture is intended in this context to mean a reflection of the essential value systems adopted by the undertaking concerned. Such a culture is reflected in practice in the managerial systems, personnel policy, principles for participation, training policies and quality management of the undertaking."

Those in the field of occupational health come from a wide range of disciplines and professions including medicine,psychology, epidemiology, physiotherapy and rehabilitation, occupational therapy, occupational medicine, human factors and ergonomics, and many others. Professionals advise on a broad range of occupational health matters. These include how to avoid particular pre-existing conditions causing a problem in the occupation, correct posture for the work, frequency of rest breaks, preventative action that can be undertaken, and so forth.

Importance of Workplace Health & Safety

Health and Safety Hazards

Hazards are considered to be potentially dangerous substances or behaviors that can cause harm or injury to an employee. There are several hazards employees can be exposed to in the workplace. Health hazards can range from infectious diseases spread from one worker to another to poisonous chemicals that are not properly stored and maintained. For example, some industries are exposed to dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide. These industries must follow specific safety procedures in the event of an emergency situation involving the substance.

Health and Safety Enforcement

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is responsible for enforcing laws regarding safety in the workplace. OSHA is charged with ensuring employers provide a healthy and safe work environment for their employers by establishing guidelines and safety standards. They investigate complaints regarding safety violations and ensure that any hazards or dangerous work environments are corrected.

Health Guidelines

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has created guidelines to help employers and office workers understand how certain hazards can negatively impact the workplace as well as how emergency situations should be handled. These guidelines assist companies that conduct potentially dangerous job duties or work with dangerous chemicals with following the proper workplace procedures to prevent illness or injury.

Health and Safety Programs

Health and safety programs are an important part of preventing injury and illness in the workplace. Health programs help employers and employees understand the potential hazards they are exposed to on a daily basis. Effective health and safety programs educate workers on the benefits of practicing proper workplace behaviors. For example, the “Safety Pays” program helps employers determine the cost workplace injuries and illness have on a company’s profit margin. When companies understand the impact injuries have on their bottom line, they are more inclined to implement programs to keep their workers healthy and safe.

Employee Awareness

Workplace health and safety practices are important because they help prevent inter-office violence and raise employee awareness of the potential dangers they face. Violent acts and behaviors of employees and other individuals within the workplace are cause for concern because they threaten a company’s overall well-being. Companies must take an active approach in educating workers on the importance of practicing safe habits in order to maintain a healthy and safe working environment.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH IS THE SOUL TO LONGETIVITY IN THE WORK PLACE! SO ENSURE HEALTH SAFETY PRACTICE