OH Flashcards
(20 cards)
What is the primary goal of Occupational Health?
Promotion and maintenance of physical, mental and social well-being of workers
Prevention_of adverse effects on health caused by working conditions
Protection of workers in their employment from risks resulting from factors adverse to health
Placing and maintenance of workers in
an occupational environment adapted to physical and mental needs
Differentiate between a Hazard and a Risk.
Hazard: Potential to cause harm (HPCH). Risk: Likelihood of harm occurring (RLOH).
What is the mnemonic for the 5 types of workplace hazards?
P-C-B-E-P (Physical, Chemical, Biological, Ergonomic, Psychological) - “People Can Be Extremely Productive”.
List examples of Physical Hazards.
Noise, Heat, Pressure (Barometric), Vibration, Radiation, Light (Poor Illumination/Glare).
How can Chemical Hazards enter the body?
Inhalation, Ingestion, Skin Absorption.
Give examples of Biological Hazards.
Microorganisms (germs), toxins, medical waste, dangerous plants/animals.
What do Ergonomic Hazards relate to?
A mismatch between the worker and the workplace/equipment design, leading to strain or Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs).
What are Psychological Hazards often related to?
Occupational Stress (e.g., workload, role conflict, poor relations, job insecurity).
What is the mnemonic for the Hierarchy of Controls (most to least effective)?
E-S-E-A-P (Elimination, Substitution, Engineering, Administrative, PPE) - “Elephants Sometimes Eat All Peanuts”.
What is Elimination in the Hierarchy of Controls?
Removing the hazard completely. (Most effective).
What is Substitution in the Hierarchy of Controls?
Replacing the hazard with a less harmful alternative.
What are the 3 main types of Engineering Controls mentioned?
Enclosure (guarding), Isolation (separation), Ventilation (air control).
Give examples of Administrative Controls.
Altering work practices: Rules, Training, Rotation, Scheduling, Segregation, Pre-medical checks.
What is the role of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in hazard control?
It’s the last line of defense, minimizing exposure at the worker level when other controls are insufficient or not feasible.
List some adverse health effects of excessive Noise exposure.
Annoyance, stress, concentration issues, temporary/permanent hearing loss, sleep issues, fatigue, decreased performance.
What are potential effects of Heat hazards?
Fatigue, poor concentration, heat cramps, heat stroke.
What can Vibration hazards (e.g., from tools) cause?
Fatigue, temporary loss of muscle control (fingers), soft tissue damage, degenerative effects on the spine.
What is Ergonomics?
Matching the worker to the workplace/job demands to prevent strain and MSDs.
Name key categories of factors contributing to Occupational Stress.
Job-Specific (workload), Environment (noise), Organizational Role (conflict), Career Development (insecurity), Relationships (supervisors/co-workers), Management Style.
List strategies for managing stress at the organizational level.
Match workload to capability, design meaningful jobs, define roles clearly, involve workers, improve communication, reduce uncertainty, allow social interaction.
