HSSE ASSIGNMENT

By

Ikpe Caroline

Occupational health
Occupational health deals with all aspect of health and safety measures in the workplace and it's
prevention of workplace hazard. The goal of an occupational safety and health program is to create a
safe and healthy work environment, protect co-workers, family members, employers, customers, and
many others who might be affected by the workplace environment.

Occupational health focus and aim at:

Promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers
in all occupations
Prevention amongst workers of departures from health caused by their working conditions
Protection of workers in their employment from risks resulting from factors adverse to health
Placing and maintenance of the worker in an occupational environment adapted to his physiological and
psychological capabilities.

Occupational hazard
Physical Harzard
Chemical
Biological
Ergonomic
Psychological

Physical Hazards
Physical hazard is anything or factors that can cause harm with contact. This is the most common type
of workplace hazards.
Examples of physical hazards include slips, trips, falls, exposure to loud noises, working from heights,
vibrations, and unguarded machinery.
How to mitigate physical hazard
Engineering controls also known as isolation can be used for controlling physical hazards in the
workplace. This can also be done by providing face and eye protection, safety footwear, overalls and
other necessary PPE.
Chemical hazard
Chemical hazards are present anytime workers are exposed to dangerous chemical substances.
Examples include cleaning solutions and solvents, vapors and fumes, carbon monoxide and any other
gases.
How to mitigate risk
setting occupational exposure limits to use of chemicals, use of chemical safety data sheets(CSDS) or
MSDS, use of mechanical ventilating air conditioning system(MVAC).

Biological hazard
Biohazards occurs due to working with people, animals or infectious plant material.Healthcare
professionals are at most risk for this type of hazard.
Examples include blood or other bodily fluids, fungi, insect bites, bacteria or viruses, influenza
How to migrate Biohazard
Use of bio-safety hoods and equipment, labeling of biological materials that carry a significant health
risk, including viral samples and used hypodermic needles, disposal containers, specific work schedule
to limit exposure time, use of proper PPE, workers training

Psychological hazard
Psychological hazard also known as stressor is a type of occupational hazard that affects the mental and
emotional well-being of workers, such as feelings of job insecurity, long work hours, and poor work-life
balance. Psychological hazard related to the way work is designed, organized and managed, as well as
the economic and social contexts of work. They are associated with psychiatric, psychological and/or
physical injury or illness, such as occupational burnout, anxiety disorders, depression (mood),
hypertension and cardiovascular disease
How to mitigate
Occupational health aim to minimize these hazard by reducing work load, rest, regular health care and
checkups, reducing job strain and working hours.

Ergonomic hazard
Ergonomic hazards occur as a result of physical factors that can harm to the muscles or ligaments of the
lower back, tendons or nerves of the hands/wrists, or bones surrounding the knees, resulting in a
musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) system.
Examples of this hazard are poor lighting or poorly designed work tools, repetitive motion injuries or
disorder, awkward movements and poor posture.
How to mitigate
Relaxation, regular exercise, physical and ultrasound therapy, massage
Ergonomics:Ergonomics is the use of psychological and physiological principle in the interactions
among workers and their work environment for the overall health and safety of its workers and
productivity in order to fulfill the goals of occupational health.

Stress
Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes
you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. Stress is your body's reaction to a challenge or demand.
Symptoms:Low energy, Headaches, Upset stomach, including diarrhea, constipation, and nausea, Aches,
pains, and tense muscles, Chest pain and rapid heartbeat, Insomnia,Frequent colds and infections.

Noise
Noise is unwanted sound considered unpleasant, loud or disruptive to hearing. Such as surface motor
vehicles, aircraft, trains and industrial sources.Exposure to noise is associated with several negative
health outcomes. Depending on duration and level of exposure, noise may cause or increase the
likelihood of hearing loss, high blood pressure, ischemic heart disease, sleep disturbances, injuries, and
even decreased work performance.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are injuries or pain in the human musculoskeletal system
such as joints, ligaments, muscles, nerves, tendons mostly structures that support limbs, neck and back.
MSDs can occur from sudden lifting of heavy object) or repetitive motions , strain, vibration, or
awkward posture or certain traumatic car accidents. MSDs can affect many different parts of the body
including upper and lower back, neck, shoulders.
Examples of MSDs include carpal tunnel syndrome, epicondylitis, tendinitis, back pain, tension neck
syndrome, and hand-arm vibration syndrome.

Safe Lifting procedure

Adopting a stable position and good posture.Bend your hips and knees to squat down to your load,
Keeping the load as close to the body as possible.
Using the legs and feet (not back) and straighten the legs to lift.
Keeping the head up, avoid twisting the body while lifting a heavy object.
Never lift a heavy object above shoulder level.