Health and Safety at Work: Concepts, Hazards, and Medical Approaches

Posted on Aug 3, 2024 in Physical Education

Health and Safety at Work

Concept

Health and safety at work refers to measures taken to protect workers from risks of injury or illness during work performance.

Routes of Entry for Contaminants

  1. Inhalation: Affects the respiratory system.
  2. Dermal: Includes the entire skin surface.
  3. Digestive: Includes the digestive tract.
  4. Mucosa Absorption: Penetration through the eye’s conjunctiva.
  5. Parental Via: Penetration through a break in the skin.

Types of Factors Causing Accidents

Objective Factors (Machine)

  1. Electrical or mechanical hazards.
  2. Inadequate protection or projection.
  3. Narrow passages, slippery surfaces, or protruding angles.
  4. Equipment in disrepair.
  5. Handling of materials at extreme temperatures or with corrosive acids.
  6. Working at heights.
  7. Hand injuries due to lack of gloves.
  8. Improper clothing.

Subjective Factors (Person)

  1. Lack of instruction.
  2. Inexperience or ignorance.
  3. Indiscipline or disobedience.
  4. Lack of concentration or attention.
  5. Unsafe practices.
  6. Imprudence.
  7. Psychological and social factors.

Accident and Occupational Disease

Concept

An accident is a physical injury suffered by a worker due to work performance. An occupational disease is caused by elements or substances in industries or operations that gradually cause disability or death.

Difference between Accident and Occupational Disease

  1. Occurrence: Accidents occur suddenly, while occupational diseases develop gradually.
  2. Cause: Accidents are caused by unexpected events, while occupational diseases are predictable.
  3. Consequences: Accidents have immediate and often severe consequences, while occupational diseases may remain unknown until they manifest.

Consequences of Accidents

  1. Temporary disability: Prevents work for up to 18 months.
  2. Permanent incapacity:
  • Partial: Limits work in a specific area.
  • Total: Prevents regular work.
  • Absolute: Prevents any type of work.
  • Severe disability.

Causes of Nonspecific Pathology

Fatigue

Fatigue is a physical, mental, or imaginary state that reduces work capacity. It can result from excessive work intensity or duration, or from psychological factors such as frustration.

Means for Preventing Fatigue

  1. Avoid excessive work.
  2. Take adequate rest and recreation.
  3. Maintain a balanced diet.
  4. Use rest periods to relax.

Dissatisfaction

Dissatisfaction is a psychosocial phenomenon that can result from lack of adaptation to work, leading to inattention, disappointment, etc.

Aging Prematurity

Aging prematurity is a nonspecific phenomenon caused by chronic fatigue that accelerates the normal aging process.

Medicine at Work

Different Medical Approaches

  1. Prevention: Protects health before it is lost.
  2. Attendance of Healing: Recovers lost health through treatment.
  3. Rehabilitation: Uses residual capacities for incurable losses.

Ergonomics Classes

  1. Geometric: Studies the relationship between human disposition and the workplace for positional comfort.
  2. Environmental: Studies the relationship between workers and environmental factors (temperature, lighting, noise, etc.).
  3. Temporal: Adapts work to human time functions, including working hours and breaks.

Psychology

Psychology addresses non-medical issues such as dissatisfaction, attitudes, and adaptation to work. It studies problems that can contribute to occupational accidents, such as boredom, lack of attention, and shame.