A Global Perspective on Occupational Health and Safety

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorma H. Rantanen
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Occupational Injuries ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Psychosocial Problems ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
High Income ◽  
Global Perspective ◽  
Occupational Hazards ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Informal Workers

Occupational hazards as well as occupational injuries and diseases are frequent and serious problems not only in industrialized high-income countries, but also in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In high-income countries, the occurrence of occupational injuries and chemically-related disorders has decreased while psychosocial problems and issues for disabled, aging, and other vulnerable workers have increased. In the LMICs, “traditional” occupational hazards and related injuries and diseases are still a major concern. Globalization, while providing some benefits to workers, has presented many negative effects, such as transfer of hazardous technologies and substances to LMICs, widening of income gaps, and worsening of working conditions and worker income, especially for agricultural workers, those with little education, and informal workers. The chapter provides a global overview of work and workers as well occupational health and safety hazards and related challenges.

scholarly journals Exposure to occupational hazards among bakers and their coping mechanisms in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Winifred Serwaa Bonsu ◽  
Dina Adei ◽  
Williams Agyemang-Duah
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Interpersonal Relationship ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
Coping Mechanisms ◽  
Occupational Hazards ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Abstract Background: Despite the contribution of the baking industry to employment creation and income generation in low-and middle-income countries, the sector is also prone to occupational health and safety challenges which could undermine the quality of life and wellbeing of bakers within the industry. However, studies on the exposure to occupational hazards among bakers and the strategies they employ to control their exposure to occupational hazards are still lacking in Ghana. In this study, we aimed at examining the exposure to occupational hazards among bakers in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana and further explore their coping mechanisms. Methods: By employing a cross-sectional design, the study was conducted among 172 bakers in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana. A questionnaire consisting of both closed and open-ended questions was used to take data from the respondents. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were adopted to analyze the data. Results: We found that the participants were exposed to different types of occupational hazards including physical (noise, flour dust/smoke, fire, and high temperature), biological (mosquitoes, insects and rodents), psychosocial (stress, verbal abuse, and poor interpersonal relationship), chemical (chemicals in the local soap used to clean and wash napkins after baking), and ergonomic hazards (standing, sitting and bending repetitively). Some of the coping mechanisms employed to reduce exposure to the various types of occupational hazards comprise the use of a wooden and metallic peel to place and remove bread from the oven, removing excess fire from the oven with a peel, use of mosquito repellent and coil, rest breaks and staying hydrated. Conclusion: The findings from this study are therefore critical to informing policymakers in implementing occupational health and safety policies to safeguard the health of bakers in Ghana and other low-and middle-income countries. We suggest that there should be participatory and action-oriented programs organized for bakers at their weekly meetings to discuss relevant occupational health and safety issues. Union executives should carry out worksite inspection accompanied by a checklist to monitor the progress of the sessions held during meetings.

scholarly journals OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY: CASE STUDIES FROM HOUSING AND CONSTRUCTION WORKERS AT ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (9) ◽  
pp. 84-96
Author(s):  
Thewodros Bekele Tolera
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Occupational Injuries ◽  
Addis Ababa ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
Construction Workers ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Work Place ◽  
Occupational Hazards ◽  
Work Related

The status of occupational injuries in workplaces in general is ill defined in Ethiopia. Pocket studies indicate that occupational injury due to an unsafe working environment is increasing. Construction industries are growing industries region wise that has higher rate of work-related injuries. Knowing the associated factors of work-related injuries can be a critical step for improving the working condition of workers in the sector. Objective: This mini research aimed to evaluate occupational hazards and to describe factors affecting its happening among construction workers’ in Addis Ababa housing and construction project sites. Institutional based cross-sectional study design was employed to assess occupational injuries among randomly selected construction workers from June 30 –July 20, 2014. A structured questionnaire based interviews, work environment observation were used to collect the data. The response rate of this study was 82.7%. The majority of respondents were male which account 74.7% and 60 (96.8%) respondents were not using personal protective devices all the time while they are on duty. Out of the total participants, 67.7% of the workers experienced occupational injuries at least once in the last 12 months. Moreover, the three leading cause of injuries were puncture (21.0%) followed by hand injury (11.3%), and back pain (9.7%). Increased rate of work related injury in construction workers was observed and implementation of basic occupational health and safety services is required together with regular supervision to ensure and promote work place safety. So Preventive measures concerning functional occupational health and safety programs are essential to safeguard the health and safety condition of workforce in construction industries.

scholarly journals Exposure to occupational hazards among bakers and their coping mechanisms in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Winifred Serwaa Bonsu ◽  
Dina Adei ◽  
Williams Agyemang-Duah
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Interpersonal Relationship ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
Coping Mechanisms ◽  
Occupational Hazards ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Abstract Background: Despite the contribution of the baking industry to employment creation and income generation in low-and middle-income countries, the sector is also prone to occupational health and safety challenges which could undermine the quality of life and wellbeing of bakers within the industry. However, studies on the exposure to occupational hazards among bakers and the strategies they employ to control their exposure to occupational hazards are still lacking in Ghana. In this study, we aimed at examining the exposure to occupational hazards among bakers in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana and further explore their coping mechanisms. Methods: By employing a cross-sectional design, the study was conducted among 172 bakers in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana. A questionnaire consisting of both closed and open-ended questions was used to take data from the respondents. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were adopted to analyze the data. Results: We found that the participants were exposed to different types of occupational hazards including physical (noise, flour dust/smoke, fire, and high temperature), biological (mosquitoes, insects and rodents), psychosocial (stress, verbal abuse, and poor interpersonal relationship), chemical (chemicals in the local soap used to clean and wash napkins after baking), and ergonomic hazards (standing, sitting and bending repetitively). Some of the coping mechanisms employed to reduce exposure to the various types of occupational hazards comprise the use of a wooden and metallic peel to place and remove bread from the oven, removing excess fire from the oven with a peel, use of mosquito repellent and coil, rest breaks and staying hydrated. Conclusion: The findings from this study are therefore critical to informing policymakers in implementing occupational health and safety policies to safeguard the health of bakers in Ghana and other low-and middle-income countries. We suggest that there should be participatory and action-oriented programs organized for bakers at their weekly meetings to discuss relevant occupational health and safety issues. Union executives should carry out worksite inspection accompanied by a checklist to monitor the progress of the sessions held during meetings.

scholarly journals Health Status and Occupational Health and Safety Access among Informal Workers in the Rural Community, Southern Thailand

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272110158
Author(s):  
Chamnong Thanapop ◽  
Sasithorn Thanapop ◽  
Sukanya Keam-Kan
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Occupational Hazards ◽  
Work Practices ◽  
Informal Workers ◽  
Safe Work ◽  
Southern Thailand

Purpose Thailands’ informal workers are faced with job insecurity and poor working conditions. Good health status can promote lifelong working and increase quality of life. This study analyzed factors associated with the health status of the community informal workers. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 390 informal workers aged 15 to 59 years in Thasala district, Nakhon Si Thammarat, southern Thailand. A multi-stage sampling method using proportional to size selection was employed in various types of informal workers. The interviews on self-reported health status, health behaviors, occupational hazards, healthcare utilization, occupational health and safety (OHS) access are reported as descriptive. The multivariate association was explored using the simple logistic regression. Findings The results revealed that 80.77% of the participants had good health, 57.44% had healthy behavior, 76.41% had safe work practices, 22.05% had moderate to high exposed of occupational hazards, and 56.41% had the low OHS access. Safe work practices, moderate to high OHS access, low exposed to occupational hazards, and low income were more likely to produce good health status, which yielded the adj. OR 2.57, 1.86, 0.39, and 0.48, respectively. Conclusions The community informal workers health status was associated by income, work practices, occupational hazards, and OHS access. To strengthening the informal workers’ health, the OHS program should be managed intensively by the primary care services, especially the OHS risk management.

scholarly journals Message

2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jen Fuk Liem
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Occupational Medicine ◽  
Traffic Accidents ◽  
Occupational Injuries ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Health Science ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Potential Biomarker

It gives me great pleasure and enthusiasm to welcome you to the special issue of Acta Medica Philippina - Workplace and Environment Safety and Health Issue. The occupational medicine and occupational health and safety activities primarily focusing on preventing diseases, injuries, and deaths due to working conditions. While exposure to harmful substances and or activities can happen at any time, I believe there are always some measures to ensure that no one has to suffer a work-related injury or illness because of their job. In this special issue, we published several articles including papers from the 13th Indonesia Occupational Medicine Updates, covering research on important aspects of occupational health and safety in the Philippines and Indonesia. The impacts of psychosocial hazards and shift work, the potential biomarker of effect on cardiovascular risk, pesticide exposure among farmers; and key statistics and trends in occupational injuries and traffic accidents in the Philippines are featured in this issue. I sincerely hope this work will be of interest to our readers and meet the real needs of the scientific community, stimulates thought, and eventually open up new research ideas. Finally, as special editor of this special issue, I would like to thank the authors who have worked very hard to prepare and revise the articles and to all reviewers for their careful reviews, and for providing valuable and constructive comments.   Jen Fuk Liem, MD Department of Occupational Health and Safety Faculty of Medicine and Health Science Universitas Kristen Krida Wacana Jakarta, Indonesia

scholarly journals Occupational Health and Safety in the Palm Oil Industry: A Systematic Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 159-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nuruly Myzabella ◽  
Lin Fritschi ◽  
Nick Merdith ◽  
Sonia El-Zaemey ◽  
HuiJun Chih ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Palm Oil ◽  
Oil Palm ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Oil Industry ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Occupational Hazards ◽  
Psychosocial Disorders ◽  
Oil Palm Plantation

Background: The palm oil industry is the largest contributor to global production of oils and fats. Indonesia and Malaysia are the largest producers of palm oil. More than a million workers are employed in this industry, yet there is a lack of information on their occupational health and safety. Objective: To identify and summarize occupational hazards among oil palm plantation workers. Methods: A search was carried out in June 2018 in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Ovid. Relevant publications were identified by a systematic search of four databases and relevant journals. Publications were included if they examined occupational hazards in oil palm plantation workers. Results: 941 publications were identified; of these, 25 studies were found eligible to be included in the final review. Of the 25 studies examined, 19 were conducted in Malaysia, 2 in Costa Rica, and one each in Ghana, Indonesia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, and Cameroon. Oil palm plantation workers were found to be at risk of musculoskeletal conditions, injuries, psychosocial disorders, and infectious diseases such as malaria and leptospirosis. In addition, they have potential exposure to paraquat and other pesticides. Conclusion: In light of the potential of palm oil for use as a biofuel, this is an industry with strong growth potential. The workers are exposed to various occupational hazards. Further research and interventions are necessary to improve the working conditions of this already vast and growing workforce.

Development of system of automated occupational health and safety management in enterprises

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (107) ◽  
pp. 28-41
Author(s):  
A.P. Bochkovskyi ◽  
N.Yu. Sapozhnikova
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Economic Efficiency ◽  
Social Insurance ◽  
System Analysis ◽  
Safety Management ◽  
Occupational Injuries ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Negative Factors

Purpose: Develop a system of automated occupational health and safety management to improve the procedure for minimizing occupational risks and ensure comprehensive protection of employees from the impacts of negative factors of the systems "man - machine - environment". Design/methodology/approach: The following set of scientific methods was used in the study: analysis of normative-legal documents and scientific-technical literature in the field of building and functioning of occupational safety and health management systems, methods of system analysis, simulation methods, namely discrete-event simulation (DES) of random and dynamic processes, methods of decision theory and data mining. Findings: Based on the results of the research, a system of automated occupational health and safety management, which due to the connection the functionally independent elements (according to a certain scheme) allows to provide comprehensive protection of employees from the impacts of negative factors of the system "man - machine - environment" and reduce occupational injuries and diseases, was developed. This is done by constant monitoring and promt correcting of parameters of impact on the employee of the specified factors. The developed system was implemented in the occupational health and safety management system of the industrial enterprise "Stalkanat-Silur" (Odessa, Ukraine), resulting in reducing the number of accidents, in particular, in dangerous areas of production by 33.3%, increasing the economic efficiency of the enterprise through increasing the level of productivity by 5% and reducing in the number of social insurance payments by 11%. Research limitations/implications: The developed system can be implemented both within separate industrial premises and in the enterprise as a whole, but the number of its elements could be changed (increase / decrease) depending on the number of jobs and dangerous areas that need control. Practical implications: The implementation of the proposed system allows to increase the level of economic efficiency of the enterprise by increasing the level of labor productivity due to reducing the negative impact on the employee of harmful factors and compliance with rational mode of work and rest in each workplace, as well as by reducing the number of social insurance payments due to reducing the occupational injuries and diseases. Originality/value: For the first time the system of automated occupational health and safety, which, in contrast to existing automated occupational risk minimization systems and traditional occupational health and safety management systems, provides comprehensive protection of employees from the the impacts negative factors of the system "man - machine-environment", by constant monitoring the parameters of such impact and their prompt correction in case of deviation of the specified parameters from the set criteria, was developed and proposed for use at enterprises, institutions and organizations.

scholarly journals Occupational Health and Safety of Immigrant Workers in Italy and Spain: A Scoping Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (22) ◽  
pp. 4416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecilia Arici ◽  
Elena Ronda-Pérez ◽  
Tishad Tamhid ◽  
Katsiaryna Absekava ◽  
Stefano Porru
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Occupational Injuries ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
Warning Signs ◽  
Immigrant Workers ◽  
Quantitative Methodology ◽  
Occupational Risk Factors

The main aim of the present study was to summarize the available literature on the topic of occupational health and safety (OH&S) among immigrant workers (IMWs) in Italy and Spain. We conducted a scoping review, searching Medline, Social Sciences Citation Index, PsycINFO, CINAHL Plus, SciELO, and EMBASE for peer-reviewed articles, published in English, Italian, or Spanish, between 1999–2018. 34 studies were included, 28 with quantitative methodology and 6 with qualitative. Main findings were that, compared to natives, IMWs in Italy and Spain showed higher prevalence of low-skilled jobs and of perceived discrimination at work; higher physical demands, poorer environmental working conditions, and more exposure to occupational risks (e.g., ergonomic and psychosocial hazards); a greater risk of occupational injuries; worse general and mental health; and a plausible worsening of their health status, especially in Spain, as a result of the economic crisis. The findings of the present scoping review constitute warning signs that indicate the need for a holistic global response to ensure that adverse OH&S outcomes among IMWs workers are improved and that equitable access to health care is guaranteed. Such a response will require a concrete and evidence-based approach to prevent and monitor occupational risk factors and associated outcomes in the workplaces.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document