scholarly journals WORKING CONDITIONS OF THE FRONTLINE HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC FROM A LEGAL VIEWPOINT

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (22) ◽  
pp. 109-119
Author(s):  
Harlida Abdul Wahab ◽  
Nor Anita Abdullah ◽  
Asmar Abdul Rahim
Keyword(s):  
Working Conditions ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Healthcare Industry ◽  
Occupational Risks ◽  
Hazardous Environments ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Frontline Healthcare Workers

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has posed a major and unprecedented challenge to countries around the world. Other than threatening public health, economic and social livelihood, and wellbeing, it causes a significant impact on the healthcare industry and the workers. Healthcare is an essential service that is paramount where its interruption would endanger the life, health, and safety of all citizens, particularly during this pandemic. Also, the healthcare industry is one of the most hazardous environments to work in while healthcare workers are the most valuable resource who are exposed to occupational risks, in particular, hazards of infectious risks. This paper aims to look at the legal protections regarding the working conditions of the frontline healthcare workers during the pandemic of COVID-19. Using a doctrinal method, specific references are made to the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994, and relevant policies/guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Human Resources. It is understood that the working conditions of the frontline healthcare workers are entirely protected by the legislation and guided through the policies and guidelines that are generally aligned with the international standards. Hence, the law and policy devices are found to be safeguarding the healthcare workers from physical and biological hazards, as well as psychological and physiological wellbeing that become part of the working conditions of the healthcare workers.

scholarly journals Development of a circular economy and evolution of working conditions and occupational risks—a strategic foresight study

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Héry ◽  
Marc Malenfer
Keyword(s):  
Working Conditions ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Occupational Risks ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Strategic Foresight ◽  
Major Factors

Abstract The circular economy can be defined as an economic system of exchange and production intended to increase the efficiency of the use of resources at all stages of products’ life cycle (including goods and services). Since most natural resources are not inexhaustible, and fossil fuel consumption is considered one of the major factors of global warming, its development seems inevitable, even if it can only be progressive (spanning several decades) and may not apply to all sectors. The circular economy is likely to challenge work methods and working conditions. Consequently, a strategic foresight study has been conducted in order to assess the main consequences on occupational safety and health. In the practice of INRS which carried out this work, foresight is above all a tool to improve and facilitate thinking and decision-making.

scholarly journals Literature Review: Occupational Safety and Health Risk Factors of Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 144
Author(s):  
Prima Ardiansah Surya ◽  
Marsheila Harvy Mustikaningtyas ◽  
Sacharissa Zerlina Tsarwah Thirafi ◽  
Afika Danedea Pramitha ◽  
Laksita Taffara Mahdy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Traffic Control ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Safety And Health ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Safety And Health

Introduction: The pandemic of COVID-19 has major effects, particularly on hospitals and health workers. At the beginning of March, more than 3,300 health workers have beencontracted with COVID-19 as reported by China's National Health Commission. Twenty percent of healthcare workers in Italy have also also infected and some died. To minimize the risk of transmission to health workers, knowledge of the risk factors that influence the transmission is needed. Thus, this study aims to determine risk factors related to occupational safety and health for healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The literature was searched on Pubmed, Google Scholar, WHO, and the Ministry of Health instruments were implemented. 8 relevant studies were reviewed. Results: According to the analysis results of several studies, the use of PPE that is less consistent and not suitable with the risk of exposure will increase the risk of infection. The risk of infection is also increased by poor hand hygiene. According to the Kaplan-Meier curve, the working duration of ≥ 15 hours will increase the risk of infection. The risk of infection also exists for health workers who carry out risky procedures that generate airborne particles such as resuscitation, as well as environmental factors such as negative pressure rooms and traffic control bundling. Conclusion: Risk factors related to occupational health and safety during this COVID-19 pandemic for healthcare staff are: compliance with the use of PPE, hand hygiene, working hours duration, risky procedures, and environmental factors.Keywords: healthcare workers, occupational safety, COVID-19, personal protective equipment

Socio-Economic Importance of Audit Working Conditions, Safety and Health

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 10-14
Author(s):  
Смирнова ◽  
Marina Smirnova ◽  
Кохова ◽  
Irina Kokhova
Keyword(s):  
Working Conditions ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Occupational Injuries ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Advanced Technology ◽  
Safe Technology ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Audit Activity

Labour protection is one of the areas in the sphere of enterprise activity. Development of audit activity in the protection of labor will give the development of the system of external and internal audit, as an alternative to the system of state control. The article deals with the modern understanding of the conditions and safety. The definitions of “Working Environment”, “Working Conditions”, “Occupational Safety and Health.” It reveals the importance of health and safety for today’s workers. The author analyzes the current situation in the Russian Federation in the field of health and safety based on the data of Rosstat. We investigate occupational diseases, injuries, accidents at work. We investigate promising areas of assessment of working conditions on the basis of modern organization of audit of indicators such as the causes and conditions of occupational injuries for the previous period, especially the use of advanced technology and safe technology; ergonomic devices that protect the rights, etc.

scholarly journals Emerging technologies for learning in occupational safety and health: the experience of the videogame “Becoming safe”

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Pietrafesa ◽  
Rosina Bentivenga ◽  
Sara Stabile
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Safety And Health ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Design Work ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
Occupational Risks ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Participative Research

In the paths for transversal skills and orientation (PCTO), italian students are considered like workers and therefore they must receive adequate information and training on occupational safety and health (OSH). These methods allow the students not to be excluded from the preventive measures of the health and safety at work by directing them towards self-protection.Today, this process can be supported through the use of digital tools such as videogames. The study describes a participative research and co-design work in 7 Italian high schools of agricultural, construction and manufacturing sectors, in order to co-create an educational tool (videogame) to promote OSH during the PCTO. The format could be a support for training and usable both in the classroom and in internship, according to the indications for the serious game’s design.The study applied qualitative and quantitative methods: survey (277 students), word cafés/focus groups (50 students), 10 semi-structured interviews and 3 WhatsApp groups (12 students) to facilitate the participation and the engagement of teachers, students and OSH experts. Learning by playing has always been an activity, technologies today make it easy and funny, while gaming can offer cognitive and operational elements suitable for recognizing and therefore preventing the occupational risks. 

scholarly journals IMPLEMENTATION OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ON OCCUPATION SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT AND WAYS TO IMPROVE THEM IN TRANSPORT ENTERPRISES

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (48) ◽  
pp. 217-222
Author(s):  
Melnichenko O ◽  
◽  
Sorochynska O ◽  
Kulbovskyi I ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Management System ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Occupational Injuries ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Labor Protection

The article investigates the ways and means of improving and perfecting the state of labor protection at transport enterprises of Ukraine through the implementation of international standards for risk management and occupational safety. A detailed analysis of international standards for occupational safety, and their main benefits that improve the health and safety of enterprises. The object of research is international standards on occupational safety and risk management. The purpose of the work is to analyze the implementation and use of international standards on occupational safety and risk management at Ukrainian transport enterprises. Research methods - analytical. Quality management of labor protection at enterprises is one of the priority areas of transport enterprises in order to reduce occupational injuries and improve working conditions. In order to effectively manage labor protection in transport enterprises, the authors of the article propose the introduction of international standards in the field of occupational safety and risk management in Ukraine. Examining the chosen topic, it was found that in many works that devoted to the application of international standards on occupational safety was not a generalization of all regulations and standards on labor protection and risk management in the enterprise. The main directions for the implementation of international standards for occupational safety and risk management in transport enterprises of Ukraine are proposed. The results of research can be recommended for implementation in the management system of labor protection at transport enterprises of Ukraine. KEY WORDS: INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS, OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, SAFE WORKING CONDITIONS, RISK ASSESSMENT, IMPROVING OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY CONDITIONS, MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

Occupational Safety and Health Management

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 263-268
Author(s):  
Venelin Terziev ◽  
Boris Sakakushev ◽  
Svetlin Parvanov ◽  
Marin Georgiev
Keyword(s):  
Working Conditions ◽  
Management System ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Safety And Health ◽  
Good Working ◽  
Safety And Health

AbstractThe relevance of this work is intertwined with the problems of development of an occupational safety and health management system in the field of transport. Good working conditions and optimal safety should be of the priorities of the company management, because the safety and health together with profitability, quality and environment conservation are an integral aspect of their responsibilities. The realization that the safety and health of the employees are important indicators of the company is good understanding of the economic and organization benefits. The basic but underestimated factors for increasing the effectiveness of work are ensuring health and safety at work. Their provision within the organization’s context leads to decreasing expenses of any nature, to improving the organization’s image before the competitors and not last to increasing the effectiveness of labour.

scholarly journals Tuberculosis and Other Airborne Microbes in Occupational Health and Safety

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (19) ◽  
pp. 7088
Author(s):  
Esther Vaquero-Álvarez ◽  
Antonio Cubero-Atienza ◽  
Pilar Ruiz-Martínez ◽  
Manuel Vaquero-Abellán ◽  
María Dolores Redel-Macías ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Preventative Measures ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Airborne Microbes

Airborne pathogens and non-malignant infectious diseases such as tuberculosis are highly contagious and can have severe effects on healthcare workers. The symptoms of these diseases take time to manifest, which can prevent workers from noticing that they have been exposed until symptoms appear. The current paper sought to assess the occupational safety and preventative measures taken in laboratories in Spain, and to compare these measures with those reported by other studies worldwide. A cross-sectional study of workers (35–50 years old) was conducted using a web survey (N = 30), and a bibliometric analysis was carried out in the Scopus database (92 documents were selected). The occupational safety and health measures were inadequate, according to the opinions of the workers. The training (p < 0.01), the amount of work (p < 0.05), and how the workers followed their protocols (p < 0.001) were linked to incidents and exposure to airborne pathogens. The most significant previous publication was a report (848 citations) stating that the previous variables linked to exposure are vital for prevention. Most works focused on countries like the U.S.A. (p = 0.009) were reviews, with a limited number of studies focused on occupational safety.

scholarly journals LABOUR PROTECTION AND SAFETY IN THE BREWING INDUSTRY

2016 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina Melnik
Keyword(s):  
Working Conditions ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Occupational Safety And Health ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Brewing Industry ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Safe Work ◽  
Full Picture ◽  
Safe Working

The article describes the quantification of the level of safety in the brewing industry, which allows determining the contribution of each employee to ensure healthy and safe working conditions. Factors have also been shown to affect the safety of each of the employees. Knowledge of the characteristics and limits of each of the factors makes it possible to secure workflow and solve potential problems early. Previously considered a comprehensive approach that allows full control of the security protecting the entire brewing industry. Efficient and safe work is possible only if the working environment at the workplace to meet all the requirements of international standards in the field of occupational safety and health. Therefore, each category from a number of activities, which can significantly reduce the level of injury, and ending with the characteristics of each of the factors for drawing up a plan to ensure the maximum protection of the company's employees, was discussed. Chemical, physical, biological and psychophysical factors may exist alone or in combination with each other. It is therefore important to identify in advance all of them and to take all measures relating to ensure safe working conditions in each of the processes. Separately considered optimal and allowable values of temperature, relative humidity and air velocity in the working area of industrial premises. The parameters were established for the purpose of continuous monitoring in order to ensure comfortable and safe work environment for each employee. In some cases it is necessary to consult with technicians to get the full picture of the possible threats posed by each type of equipment. Especially dangerous in terms of occupational safety and health in the brewing industry is a cooking workshop, where the air temperature in the working area is significantly increased, as well as the bottling plant (noisy).

Solar Installations & Their Occupational Risks

2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 1243-1247
Author(s):  
Jesse C. Duroha ◽  
Gretchen A. Macht
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Safety And Health ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Occupational Risks ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Manual Handling ◽  
Scopus Database

With the solar industry’s rapid growth, it is crucial to continuously review and assess the occupational risks associated with photovoltaic (PV) installations. PV installers are exposed to severe occupational risks, including but not limited to electrocution, heat stress, fall accidents, and manual handling risks. However, it is unclear what research is being done to mitigate these risks and where more research is required. Therefore, this paper performs a systematic literature review using the Scopus database to comprehensively review and identify: (1) the current knowledge available regarding the occupational risks associated with PV installations, (2) the health and safety effects these risks have on PV installers, (3) the research being done to mitigate them, and (4) the knowledge gaps for future research. This research can guide areas for future research concerning occupational safety and health in the PV installation sector.

Conducting Worksite Investigations

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce P. Bernard
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Health Hazard ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Employee Health ◽  
Hazard Evaluation ◽  
Workplace Hazards ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
Workplace Conditions ◽  
Safety And Health

This chapter focuses on conducting worksite investigations, including walkthrough surveys, and provides occupational health and safety personnel, employees, and employers the opportunity to identify and assess current workplace conditions and employee health concerns and make recommendations on how to reduce or eliminate any identified workplace hazards. The methods described cover ways to implement corrective actions necessary for preventing future adverse incidents and to identify shortcomings in safety and health management programs. Various specific examples are provided. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Hazard Evaluation Program, which has experience with all types of workplace hazards, is described. Preparing for and conducting workplace investigations is described in detail.

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