Occupational Hygiene, Health and Ergonomics

This study material focuses on occupational hygiene, health, and ergonomics. It covers relevant statutory and regulatory requirements, different agents affecting health, interpretation of toxicological data, and principles of epidemiology.

Occupational
Hygiene,Health and
Ergonomics

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................3
Aim 1: Describe relevant statutory and regulatory requirements for hazardous agents and
ergonomic conditions in work place...................................................................................3
Analyse general principles of occupational health and hygiene........................................4
Aim 2: Differentiate and evaluate chemical biological ergonomics psychological and
physical agents....................................................................................................................5
Aim 3: Interpret toxicological data in identification to work related ill health and evaluate
principles of epidemiology.................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION............................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Occupational health and hygiene is important because it will anticipate and control
health hazards in working environment. There are variety of problems which are faced by
consumers while working in company. Government has made certain laws and regulation
regarding ergonomic occupational hazards. So laws which will affect employees and workers
health in working hour will be discussed in report. The economical, biological and ergonomics
agents in work place are also discussed in report. Report will provide the knowledge regarding
occupational hazards which will affect health of employees (Patnaik and Hovgaard2017).
Aim 1: Describe relevant statutory and regulatory requirements for hazardous agents and
ergonomic conditions in work place
There are various factors which can affect employees which are working in company.
Hazards and ergonomic conditions are affecting health of employees which are working in
company. So government has come up with rules and legislation which has to be fulfilled by
company regarding health and safety of employees.
As per occupational safety and health administration guidelines
Employees need to provide safety at workplace which has included rule and
regulations under the act. Workplace must be suitable for employees as it is specified in the
act. Employees must have proper knowledge regarding use of equipments and tools in which
they can properly maintain equipment and use equipments as well. Many employees which are
working in company are not trained and do not have knowledge of using equipment. These
can be harmful for them. So employees must be provided with safety tools and equipments
while working in company (Romero, and et.al., 2018).
Employees must be provided safety training in language which is understood by all the
employees. Proper operating procedures for using equipments will be provided to employees
because these will made for safety of employees. Operating procedures guide must be in
simple and easy language which are understood by each and every employee. The company
will provide posters and labels and signs for using equipments which can harm employees
(Paganelli, and et.al., 2018).
In factories many chemical are used by employees and these chemical can harm
employees and it can result in problems with health of employees. So proper communication
program will be conducted by factory managers for giving guidelines to employees regarding

chemicals. In that program managers will provide safety guidelines for using chemical and
provide guidelines regarding how these to use chemical which cannot harm health of
employees. Factory will have proper medical examination regarding health and safety of
employees and also it will provide proper precautionary measures for employees which are
working for company.
Managers in factories will keep record of work related injuries and illness (Wilson and
Vetten 2019). In many companies employees are working on computer, but they are facing
problems in sitting and standing because of back pain. So company must take effective
measures for providing them effective working environment in company. In many factories
certain gases are used so company must look after safety and security of employees which are
working in company. Gas must not be leaked nor it would be inhaled by any employees
otherwise it can lead to major problems for employees. Gas safety precautions must be
installed and proper maintenance must be done for effective working.
Analyse general principles of occupational health and hygiene
The company has to follow rules and regulations regarding health and hygiene for
employees. These precautionary measures will be including safety measures which will be
made that employees will not be harmed in any condition (Naeini Dalal Mosaddad and
Karuppiah 2018).
General principles regarding heath and hygiene
These principles will include certain rules and regulation which will be followed by
company for working in effective way. Company must keep certain hygiene facilities in
working areas. Rest rooms of factories and companies must be cleaned and employees in
company must be provided with proper working area to work. Proper safety measure must be
maintained by company. Rest room for gents and ladies must be different and cleaned
periodically. Ladies must have certain rooms for rest intervals and every employee in
company must be provided with proper rest intervals as well. Maintenance of hygiene will
also include cleaning of equipments by workers regularly which will not affect health of
employees. Proper hand washing and cleanliness must be maintained in working premises.
These cleanliness measures will protect employees which are working in company and it will
stop diseases to spread in office premises.

These all factors can affect health of employees but company and factory must have
safety or health officer if in company premises there are more than 500 workers. Safety officer
is required because many times employees are working, but they will face need of medical kits
(World Health Organization, 2017). Safety officer have proper knowledge of treatments which
will also check health of employees regularly that it will not affect employees. Employee must
be provided safety from chemical used in factor and from any type of problems which were
faced by employees while working in company. Company must look that if employees are
satisfied while working in company then only they will give their best while working in
company. Employees must be provided with safety tools which will protect employee from
accidents (Moodley Naidoo and Van Wyk 2018).
Strategies to prevent and control exposure to hazardous agents in workplace
There are various strategies which can be followed by company but company has to
look after rules and legislation which are made by government for protecting employees.
These will protect employees and which are working in company and company will also
maintain safety measures for employees because if not it can levy heavy penalties on
company. Company have to pay compensation to employees in case of accidents are occurred
with employees in company premises.
In factories and companies hazards took place because of many reasons and for solving
these employees need to identify problems and use effective strategies to solve problems. Dust
is generated at work place but employee will have to clear the dust which are generated by
using mineral and so company has clear that dust regularly which will not harm employees. In
many companies fire can take place easily so company must have effective measures for fire
and explosion. If fire occurred it can create problems of breathing and electricity as well. It
will result in increase in problems.
So for working effectively company has to identify problems and come up with
specific preventive measures which will result in the prevention from hazards. Various other
factors which can have effect on employees health and safety can be identified and
precautionary measures can be maintained in working areas (Magnavita 2017).
Aim 2: Differentiate and evaluate chemical biological ergonomics psychological and physical
agents
Biological hazards

Biological hazards are hazards which include viruses, bacteria and insects. These can
cause adverse impact on health of employees. Employees can suffer problems because of
sewage, dust and fluids which can affect health of employees. Biological hazards are organic
substances which are threat to human and other living organisms. These can affect health of
human beings by way of micro bacteria and fungus as well. There are biological agents which
have the ability to affect health of humans which can be adverse as well. Agents can provide
mid allergic reaction which can also lead to severe mental conditions. Laboratory techniques
which can be used by company to identify agents are analytical approaches. These approaches
will be used by companies for working in proper way and which can be implemented by
clinical laboratories for identifying the biological threats. Laboratories can also use classical
culture methods and nucleic acid analysis as well.
Ergonomic hazards
Ergonomic hazards are the physical factors which will affect health of employees in
working premises. In these repetitive movement of work place and task design is must, which
can have effect on employee health. There are certain areas which can affect physical health of
employees like the work stations, computer systems, noise and lighting. These all will have
effect on employee and physical condition of employees will be affected like the back bone,
eyes and ears. There are agents which will cause ergonomic hazards like the improper working
conditions and repetitive movement of certain activities done by body will have effect on
health of employees. Injury caused in eye and ears can be cured by doctors in laboratory and
by following proper treatment. Injury caused in bones like back bone will give more problems
because employees will not be able sit comfortably (Lu Putz-Anderson Garg and Davis 2017).
These all injuries will be overcomed by employees by taking proper treatment and company
can provide proper and comfortable equipments while working.
Psychosocial hazards
In psychosocial hazards it can affect mental health of employees which is caused
because of stress and trauma. It will affect confidence of employees, and even they are not
willing to participate in working environment. Employees are not able to merge with other
employees, and they will not be able to organize and manage work. These can occur because
of the stress, depression and anxiety disorders as well. These are also agents which will affect
behaviour of employee while working in organization. Stress and trauma will be faced by

employee in case of he is not able balance work life and personal life. Insecurity for job and
long working hours will affect mental health of employee. All problems will be overcomed by
employee, if friendly working environment is provided to employees. Friendly working
environment can help employee to communicate with colleagues and these will result in
release of stress and trauma.
Physical hazards
Physical hazards are hazards which are within environment and that will harm human
body. Like the electricity, pressure and noise will affect employees health (Hejduk and
Karwowski 2016). For example body stressing, electrical risk, flood recovery, noise and heat.
These are affecting health of employees by not touching it. Employees will automatically face
noise and heat because temperature is quite high and noise made by equipment is quite high.
There are various agents which can affect physical hazards like the vibration and radiation.
Physical hazards are created at certain places like places where radiation are released and
place where compressed gases are stored. These places are kept under high security because
in many cases leakage of gases is done and it will affect humans. Radiation places will include
sealed and unsealed sources which will have impact on health of employees. So these places
must be avoided by employees and visitors as well. The precautionary measures will protect
employees health and also protect environment.
Aim 3: Interpret toxicological data in identification to work related ill health and evaluate
principles of epidemiology
Toxicological data is collected on work related health issues. Toxicology will result in
managing chemical and biological hazards. Working environment is affecting every person
which is working in company. These hazards are giving adverse impact on health of
employees. Heavy metal which will include high toxic elements which can affect health of
employee. The process of absorption, disposition and excretion from metal will have effect on
physical condition of employees. Solvent refer to organic chemicals which will provide
absorption across lungs and skin. Organic solvents dissolve frequently in water and other
liquid products (Friend and Kohn 2018).
Employees will face problems related to health because of consumption of toxic
elements which can lead to severe health problems. Employees will suffer mental health issues
and gastrointestinal issues as well. In some case employees will deal with problems of

paralyses. So toxic elements must be kept away from employees and proper systems must be
made in which company will monitor the health of employees. Record of employee
performance and health condition of employees must be kept and analysed which will lead to
accurate amount of safety precaution maintained in company.
Public health surveillance
There are majorly epidemiology function like public health surveillance, field
investigation and evaluation of work. In company is moving towards public health
surveillance which can monitor health of employees. It is the ongoing process, systematic
collection and then analysing and interpreting of data of health. The main purpose of public
health surveillance is looking after diseases which are caused to employees (Dirkse van
Schalkwyk and Steenkamp 2017). Proper prevention measures are maintained in company or
not. Proper investigation and control are applied by company which can be accomplished by
health information reports. There is common report which can affect the surveillance data is
morbidity report and mortality reports. Health department will provide report which will
include the data of patients are dead form the severe diseases like cancer and aids.
In many cases surveillance is relied on limited amount of information which is
collected form each case. Government is lunching health programs as per data of
immunization and health surveys as well. The process of surveillance cycle will include
clinician and hospitals. Feed back is taken from hospital and clinicians which will provide
correct data to government. These will help department to work in effective way and look after
diseases which are affecting people at large level. The program arranged by government is
providing information related to the diseases which are spreading in people.
Pubic health worker must be familiar with basic principles which is affecting health of
public. Distribution is focusing on health events and population which is present at particular
events. On determining rate of diseases pattern of health events will be compared.
Determinant are causes and factors which will have impact on health of public. These can also
influence life style of people. The infected individuals will have severe problems but if disease
are spreading by touching each other than it will have effect on employees (Arezes, and et.al.
2016).
Specified population will be under surveillance and proper health measures will be
used by community by spreading awareness among people and see that it will not have severe

impact on health condition of people. Application of scientific methods and treatments which
can cure diseases. All these can be done but only when diseases are diagnosed and individual
is suffering from the disease.
CONCLUSION
From above report it will be concluded that occupational hygiene and health is must
because it will affect performance of company. Statutory regulation and regulatory
requirements are specified in report which will include proper safety and security measures
which will protect employees. Employees are dealing with the problem of ergonomic hazards
which will have been raised because of improper facilities at working place. Occupational
safety and health department has provided guidelines which consist of various safety measures
for protecting employee. There are other factors which can have effect on health condition of
employee. Chemical hazards is caused because of using chemical at frequently while
biological hazards are caused because of fungus and micro Bacteria which can health of
employees. There are mental problems which are faced by employee while working like stress
and trauma. Health related surveillance is done by company for protecting employees.
Surveillance is done on basis of health and record which are kept by company which are
suffering diseases because of working in company. Public health workers are working in
government departments which are keeping records of diseases spread all over the country.

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Arezes, and et.al. 2016. Occupational Safety and Hygiene IV. CRC Press.
Dirkse van Schalkwyk, R. and Steenkamp, R.J., 2017. A review and exploration of
sociotechnical ergonomics. International journal of occupational safety and
ergonomics, 23(3), pp.297-306.
Friend, M.A. and Kohn, J.P., 2018. Fundamentals of occupational safety and health. Rowman
& Littlefield.
Hejduk, I. and Karwowski, W., 2016. A Knowledge Management Framework of the
Information Technology-Based Approach for Improving Occupational Safety
Training of Young Workers. Chinese Business Review, 15(1), pp.42-47.
Lu, M.L., Putz-Anderson, V., Garg, A. and Davis, K.G., 2016. Evaluation of the impact of the
revised National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health lifting equation. Human
factors, 58(5), pp.667-682.
Magnavita, N., 2017. Productive aging, work engagement and participation of older workers.
A triadic approach to health and safety in the workplace. Epidemiology, Biostatistics
and Public Health, 14(2).
Moodley, R., Naidoo, S. and Van Wyk, J., 2018. Applying the perceptions of graduates on
their dental training to inform dental curricula from the perspective of occupational
health. South African Dental Journal, 73(5), pp.343-347.
Naeini, H.S., Dalal, K., Mosaddad, S.H. and Karuppiah, K., 2018. Economic Effectiveness of
Ergonomics Interventions. International Journal of Engineering Science (2008-4870),
29(3).
Paganelli, and et.al., 2018. Education and training in global occupational health and safety: a
perspective on new pathways to sustainable development. Annals of global health,
84(3), p.538.
Patnaik, A. and Hovgaard, E.M., 2017. Evaluation of ergonomics. In Manikins for Textile
Evaluation (pp. 141-157). Woodhead Publishing.

Romero, and et.al., 2018, August. Digitalizing occupational health, safety and productivity for
the operator 4.0. In IFIP International Conference on Advances in Production
Management Systems (pp. 473-481). Springer, Cham.
Wilson, K. and Vetten, M., 2019. National Institute for Occupational Health Research Day
2018. Occupational Health Southern Africa, 25(1), pp.24-34.
World Health Organization, 2017. International minimum requirements for health protection
in the workplace.