Work and Health HL1115

Work and HealthWork and HealthHL1115HL1115

Sean Mahar, PhD, CIH, CSP, PESean Mahar, PhD, CIH, CSP, PE

QualificationsQualifications

• BS, Sacred Heart UniversityBS, Sacred Heart University

• MS, Texas A&M UniversityMS, Texas A&M University

• PhD, University of IowaPhD, University of Iowa

• Certified Industrial HygienistCertified Industrial Hygienist

• Certified Safety ProfessionalCertified Safety Professional

• Professional EngineerProfessional Engineer

ExperienceExperience

• U of Wolverhampton, 7 yearsU of Wolverhampton, 7 years

• Ohio University, 3 yearsOhio University, 3 years

• Worksafe Iowa, 3 yearsWorksafe Iowa, 3 years

• US Navy, 9 yearsUS Navy, 9 years

• Tracor, 1 yearTracor, 1 year

ASSESSMENT METHODS AND ASSESSMENT METHODS AND WEIGHTINGWEIGHTING

• Essay of no more than 1500 words Essay of no more than 1500 words 50%50%

• Unseen examination of 2 hours.Unseen examination of 2 hours. 50%50%

• Students are required to pass (minimum Students are required to pass (minimum grade D5) (i) essay and (ii) the grade D5) (i) essay and (ii) the examination in order to pass the module. examination in order to pass the module. Please note that plagiarism will be dealt Please note that plagiarism will be dealt with according to University Regulations. with according to University Regulations.

ASSESSMENT BRIEFINGASSESSMENT BRIEFING

• Select a specific occupation and identify Select a specific occupation and identify the hazards that might be present in that the hazards that might be present in that particular work environment. Discuss the particular work environment. Discuss the potential adverse effects on health. Include potential adverse effects on health. Include in your essay the effect that individual in your essay the effect that individual lifestyle and pre-existing health status may lifestyle and pre-existing health status may have on factors found in the working have on factors found in the working environment. Identify any relevant environment. Identify any relevant legislation in force to protect employees.legislation in force to protect employees.


• Select a particular work-related condition Select a particular work-related condition and discuss the effects on health status. and discuss the effects on health status. Identify the range of employees who may be Identify the range of employees who may be affected and what effect personal lifestyle affected and what effect personal lifestyle factors play in increasing susceptibility in factors play in increasing susceptibility in some individuals. What relevant legislation some individuals. What relevant legislation is in force as a protective measure?is in force as a protective measure?


Factors to considerFactors to consider

1. When identifying hazards at work 1. When identifying hazards at work remember it is not just the main hazard remember it is not just the main hazard which is significant. You also need to which is significant. You also need to consider what other factors are in the work consider what other factors are in the work environment which may add to or increase environment which may add to or increase risks.risks.


Hazards are categorised into the following:Hazards are categorised into the following:• PhysicalPhysical• ChemicalChemical• BiologicalBiological• MechanicalMechanical• Psycho-socialPsycho-social

Several of these hazards may be found in one Several of these hazards may be found in one work environment.work environment.


2. An understanding of the role of health and 2. An understanding of the role of health and safety legislation will be looked for, but it safety legislation will be looked for, but it will not be necessary to quote large will not be necessary to quote large sections from any Regulations or Acts.sections from any Regulations or Acts.


3. Structure is important - your work must 3. Structure is important - your work must have a title and introduction which will set have a title and introduction which will set down the issues you wish to address. If down the issues you wish to address. If relevant, you may wish to include some relevant, you may wish to include some historical perspective but beware of making historical perspective but beware of making this too long. this too long.


The introduction will be followed by the main The introduction will be followed by the main body of your discussion - which should body of your discussion - which should demonstrate logical progression to your demonstrate logical progression to your conclusion and demonstrate understanding conclusion and demonstrate understanding of the health effects of your chosen of the health effects of your chosen occupation or hazard. The conclusion occupation or hazard. The conclusion should summarise what has gone before.should summarise what has gone before.


4. Referencing and bibliography: any material 4. Referencing and bibliography: any material used to help you write this essay should be used to help you write this essay should be acknowledged in order to avoid plagiarism. acknowledged in order to avoid plagiarism. The bibliography should consist of all The bibliography should consist of all books and articles read, any direct quotes books and articles read, any direct quotes or references within the text of your work or references within the text of your work should appear in a reference list. Harvard should appear in a reference list. Harvard method of referencing is preferred. method of referencing is preferred.

TopicsTopics

Introduction: Historical overview: Agricola, Introduction: Historical overview: Agricola, Paracelsus, Ramazzini, Industrial Paracelsus, Ramazzini, Industrial Revolution, first involvement of the state in Revolution, first involvement of the state in monitoring health effects. Factors affecting monitoring health effects. Factors affecting health - recent statistics HSE, mortality health - recent statistics HSE, mortality rates.rates.

Overview of relevant legislation; HASAWA 74, Overview of relevant legislation; HASAWA 74, HSC, HSE, EMAS Welfare benefits, Social HSC, HSE, EMAS Welfare benefits, Social Security Acts, Prescribed diseases and Security Acts, Prescribed diseases and disablement benefit disablement benefit

TopicsTopics

Occupational lung disorders: asthma, Occupational lung disorders: asthma, byssinosis, pnuemoconiosis, asbestosis, byssinosis, pnuemoconiosis, asbestosis, mesothelioma, farmers lung, acute and mesothelioma, farmers lung, acute and chronic effects of exposure to toxic fumeschronic effects of exposure to toxic fumes

Back injury, cumulative strain, upper limb Back injury, cumulative strain, upper limb disorders, ergonomics. disorders, ergonomics.

Skin conditions, occupational dermatitis; Skin conditions, occupational dermatitis; contact/allergic, effects of solvents, contact/allergic, effects of solvents, alkalinesalkalines

TopicsTopics

Toxic substances and the effect on body Toxic substances and the effect on body systems. Chemical hazards - Occupational systems. Chemical hazards - Occupational CancerCancer

Transmissible diseases - infections, body Transmissible diseases - infections, body fluids. fluids.

TopicsTopics

Physical hazards: Noise and hearing Physical hazards: Noise and hearing impairment. impairment.

Physical hazards: Temperature, Vibration and Physical hazards: Temperature, Vibration and Radiation Mechanical hazards and Radiation Mechanical hazards and accidentsaccidents

TopicsTopics

Vulnerable groups of workers: Women, Vulnerable groups of workers: Women, Reproductive hazards, Ethnic minority Reproductive hazards, Ethnic minority groups, pre-disposing conditions, lifestyles. groups, pre-disposing conditions, lifestyles. Human factors. Psycho-social factors: Human factors. Psycho-social factors: Occupational stress - fight or flight, Occupational stress - fight or flight, organisational styles, Hawthorne effect, organisational styles, Hawthorne effect, group dynamics, interpersonal group dynamics, interpersonal relationships, bullying, unemployment. relationships, bullying, unemployment.

HistoryHistory

In ancient times work was performed by slaves In ancient times work was performed by slaves and no concern was made regarding worker and no concern was made regarding worker health.health.

4th century BC 4th century BC HippocratesHippocrates notes lead toxicity in minersnotes lead toxicity in miners

1st century AD 1st century AD Pliny the ElderPliny the Elder discusses hazards of zinc discusses hazards of zinc and sulphur and describes early respiratorand sulphur and describes early respirator

2nd century AD 2nd century AD GalenGalen writes of acid mist hazards to minerswrites of acid mist hazards to miners

HistoryHistory

1473 1473 Ulrich EllenborgUlrich Ellenborg described industrial poisoning from described industrial poisoning from lead and mercury and suggests preventative lead and mercury and suggests preventative measuresmeasures

1556 1556 Greorgious AgricolaGreorgious Agricola describes ulcerations of lungs describes ulcerations of lungs from dust inhalation in De re metallicafrom dust inhalation in De re metallica

1567 1567 Phillipus Paracelsus'Phillipus Paracelsus' (1493-1541) (1493-1541) treatise on treatise on diseases of miners published, Swiss alchemist was diseases of miners published, Swiss alchemist was highly controversial and held in low regard by peershighly controversial and held in low regard by peers

HistoryHistory

1700 1700 Bernardo RamazziniBernardo Ramazzini, , father of occupational father of occupational medicine, published De Morbis Artificum in medicine, published De Morbis Artificum in which he describes various illnesses, causes which he describes various illnesses, causes and suggest preventative measures. Patient and suggest preventative measures. Patient case histories should include the question "of case histories should include the question "of what trade are you?"what trade are you?"

HistoryHistory

18th century 18th century Sir George BakerSir George Baker attributes "Devonshire colic" attributes "Devonshire colic" to lead in cider industryto lead in cider industryPercival PottPercival Pott recognizes soot as causative recognizes soot as causative agent in scrotal cancer, leading to Chimney-agent in scrotal cancer, leading to Chimney-Sweepers Act of 1788Sweepers Act of 1788Charles ThackrahCharles Thackrah writes treatise on writes treatise on occupational health urging employers to "let occupational health urging employers to "let benevolence be directed to the prevention, benevolence be directed to the prevention, rather than the relief of evils."rather than the relief of evils."

HistoryHistory

19th century 19th century Sir Robert PeelSir Robert Peel brings the attention of Parliament brings the attention of Parliament to the deplorable conditions in factoriesto the deplorable conditions in factories

1833 1833 Passage of first Factory Act, limiting child labor Passage of first Factory Act, limiting child labor hours and providing for factory inspections in hours and providing for factory inspections in certain industries, expansions of industries in certain industries, expansions of industries in subsequent acts in 1864, 1867 and 1878.subsequent acts in 1864, 1867 and 1878.

HistoryHistory

20th century 20th century Dr. Alice HamiltonDr. Alice Hamilton, , wrote extensively on wrote extensively on various occupations, their illnesses and various occupations, their illnesses and solutions to these problems. solutions to these problems.

HistoryHistory

1970 1970 The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (U.S.)(U.S.)

• promulgation and enforcement by Department of promulgation and enforcement by Department of Labor Labor

• research and education by Department of Health, research and education by Department of Health, Education and Welfare Education and Welfare

• purpose to "assure so far as possible every working purpose to "assure so far as possible every working man and woman in the nation safe and healthful man and woman in the nation safe and healthful working conditions and to preserve our human working conditions and to preserve our human resources."resources."

HistoryHistory

1974 1974 Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

• created health and safety commission and created health and safety commission and executive executive

• purpose to "to make further provision for securing purpose to "to make further provision for securing the health, safety and welfare of persons at work, the health, safety and welfare of persons at work, for protecting others against risks to health or safety for protecting others against risks to health or safety in connection with the activities of persons at work, in connection with the activities of persons at work, for controlling the keeping and use and preventing for controlling the keeping and use and preventing the unlawful acquisition, possession and of the unlawful acquisition, possession and of dangerous substances, and for controlling certain dangerous substances, and for controlling certain emissions into the atmosphere; to make further emissions into the atmosphere; to make further provision with respect to the employment medical provision with respect to the employment medical advisory service;"advisory service;"

HistoryHistory

1992 Health and Safety Regulations - (EC Six-pack)1992 Health and Safety Regulations - (EC Six-pack)

• Management of Health and Safety at Work Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations Regulations

• Workplace (Health and Safety and Welfare) Workplace (Health and Safety and Welfare) Regulations Regulations

• Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations

• Manual Handling Operations Regulations Manual Handling Operations Regulations

• Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations Regulations

• Personal Protective Equipment RegulationsPersonal Protective Equipment Regulations

Important legislationImportant legislation

• The Health and Safety at Work etc. ActThe Health and Safety at Work etc. Act

• Management of Health and Safety at WorkManagement of Health and Safety at Work

• Control of Substances Hazardous to HealthControl of Substances Hazardous to Health

• The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations Dangerous Occurrences Regulations

• Workplace health, safety and welfareWorkplace health, safety and welfare

Trends of illness and disease in Trends of illness and disease in the workplacethe workplace

The Industrial Injuries Scheme The Industrial Injuries Scheme

• administered by the Department of Social administered by the Department of Social Security (DSS)Security (DSS)

• awards compensation to sufferers of awards compensation to sufferers of certain "prescribed diseases" as outlined certain "prescribed diseases" as outlined in the Social Security (Industrial Injuries) in the Social Security (Industrial Injuries) (Prescribed Diseases) Regulations 1985 (as (Prescribed Diseases) Regulations 1985 (as amended)amended)


• Conditions which have a well-established Conditions which have a well-established occupational cause such as vibration white occupational cause such as vibration white finger, lead poisoning and nasal cancer finger, lead poisoning and nasal cancer from exposure to hardwood dust. from exposure to hardwood dust. Except for pneumoconiosis, mesothelioma, Except for pneumoconiosis, mesothelioma, byssinosis and deafness, which are byssinosis and deafness, which are covered by special medical boards for covered by special medical boards for respiratory diseases and deafness; benefit respiratory diseases and deafness; benefit is payable only if the degree of disablement is payable only if the degree of disablement is assessed as 14% or more.is assessed as 14% or more.


Occupational Mortality Statistics Occupational Mortality Statistics

• collected from death certificates by the collected from death certificates by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys Office of Population Censuses and Surveys (OPCS).(OPCS).

• form the basis of occupational mortality form the basis of occupational mortality statistics. statistics.


Statutory Reporting Statutory Reporting

The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR)(RIDDOR)

• require employers to report all cases of the require employers to report all cases of the diseases listed in the Regulations to the diseases listed in the Regulations to the relevant enforcing authority. relevant enforcing authority.


Voluntary Reporting Schemes Voluntary Reporting Schemes

SWORD (Surveillance of Work-related and SWORD (Surveillance of Work-related and Occupational Respiratory Disease) Occupational Respiratory Disease)

• run by the Epidemiological Surveillance Unit at the run by the Epidemiological Surveillance Unit at the National Heart and Lung Institute began in 1989 and National Heart and Lung Institute began in 1989 and gathers data on occupation-related respiratory gathers data on occupation-related respiratory disease disease

EPI-DERM EPI-DERM • surveillance scheme for occupational skin diseases surveillance scheme for occupational skin diseases

run by a team at the University of Manchester run by a team at the University of Manchester Centre for Occupational Health began with Centre for Occupational Health began with dermatologists reporting in 1993 and occupational dermatologists reporting in 1993 and occupational health physicians reporting in 1995. health physicians reporting in 1995.


The Labour Force Survey (LFS)The Labour Force Survey (LFS)

• carried out annually by OPCS on behalf of the carried out annually by OPCS on behalf of the Employment Department. Employment Department.

• The 1990 survey included a trailer questionnaire. The 1990 survey included a trailer questionnaire.

• The question of interest in the field of The question of interest in the field of occupational health was: "In the last twelve occupational health was: "In the last twelve months, have you suffered from any illness, months, have you suffered from any illness, disability or other physical problem that was disability or other physical problem that was caused or made worse by your work?" If the caused or made worse by your work?" If the respondent answered positively, further questions respondent answered positively, further questions were asked to establish the nature of the illness were asked to establish the nature of the illness and the job that was believed to have caused it. and the job that was believed to have caused it.

Risk AssessmentRisk Assessment

• Council Directive 89/391/EECCouncil Directive 89/391/EEC• Management of Health and Safety at Management of Health and Safety at

Work 1999Work 1999• Control of Substances Hazardous to Control of Substances Hazardous to

Health 2002 (COSHH)Health 2002 (COSHH)

Hazard and RiskHazard and Risk

• Hazard:Hazard: the inherent potential to cause the inherent potential to cause harm or injuryharm or injury

• Risk:Risk: the likelihood of harm or injury the likelihood of harm or injury arising from a hazardarising from a hazard

Hazard and RiskHazard and Risk

• HazardHazard is the potential is the potential

• RiskRisk is the likelihood is the likelihood


Council Directive 89/391/EECCouncil Directive 89/391/EEC

Article 9Article 9,, Various obligations on Various obligations on employersemployers

The employer shall be in possession of The employer shall be in possession of an assessment of the risks to safety an assessment of the risks to safety and health at work, including those and health at work, including those facing groups of workers exposed to facing groups of workers exposed to particular risks;particular risks;

Management of Health and Management of Health and Safety at WorkSafety at Work

Regulation 3 Regulation 3 Risk AssessmentRisk Assessment,, requires employers to make a requires employers to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of suitable and sufficient assessment of risks to the health and safety of their risks to the health and safety of their employees whilst at workemployees whilst at work

Control of Substances Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)Hazardous to Health (COSHH)

Regulation Regulation 66 Risk AssessmentRisk Assessment,, requires employers to make a requires employers to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of suitable and sufficient assessment of risks to the health and safety of their risks to the health and safety of their employees whilst at workemployees whilst at work


A "suitable and sufficient" assessment: A "suitable and sufficient" assessment:

• correctly identifies any significant correctly identifies any significant risk that is reasonably foreseeable risk that is reasonably foreseeable

• enables the assessor to decide what enables the assessor to decide what action needs to be taken, and what action needs to be taken, and what the priorities should be the priorities should be

• is appropriate for the type of activity is appropriate for the type of activity


• remains valid for a reasonable time remains valid for a reasonable time

• reflects what employers may reflects what employers may reasonably practicably be expected to reasonably practicably be expected to know about the risks associated with know about the risks associated with their undertaking. their undertaking.


It should: It should:

• disregard inconsequential risks and disregard inconsequential risks and those trivial risks associated with life those trivial risks associated with life in general in general

• determine the likelihood of injury or determine the likelihood of injury or harm arising harm arising


• quantify the severity of the quantify the severity of the consequences and the numbers of consequences and the numbers of people who would be affected people who would be affected

• take into account any existing control take into account any existing control measures measures

• identify any specific legal duty or identify any specific legal duty or requirement relating to the hazard requirement relating to the hazard


• remain valid for a reasonable period of remain valid for a reasonable period of time time

• provide sufficient information to enable provide sufficient information to enable the employer to decide upon appropriate the employer to decide upon appropriate control measures, taking into account the control measures, taking into account the latest scientific developments and latest scientific developments and advances advances

• enable the employer to prioritise remedial enable the employer to prioritise remedial measuresmeasures


1.1. Look for the hazards Look for the hazards

2.2. Decide who might be harmed and how Decide who might be harmed and how

3.3. Evaluate the risks and decide whether Evaluate the risks and decide whether the existing precautions are adequate or the existing precautions are adequate or whether more should be done whether more should be done

4.4. Record your findings Record your findings

5.5. Review your assessment and revise it if Review your assessment and revise it if necessary necessary

Health and Safety (First-Aid) Health and Safety (First-Aid) RegulationsRegulations

Duties specified Duties specified

• employer to provide first aid employer to provide first aid

• employer to inform employees of the first employer to inform employees of the first aid arrangements aid arrangements

• self-employed person to provide first aid self-employed person to provide first aid equipment.equipment.

Questions?Questions?

Documents

Work and Health HL1115