Group 12: BSMT-1A

Al Brelzhiv Sarsalejo
Jezreel Belaca-ol
NurHana Pangandag
Andre Deniece Fernandez

Written report of “Occupational Health”

Health does not come in general as you thought it could be. It is specific as it
applies to any aspect of life. Yet this time, the group will be focusing on the
Occupational health specifically. Basically, when we say the term “Occupational
health”, it refers to our condition while taking our jobs/work everyday. Let us say that
it will be more of that. Thus, let us too deepen our thoughts and dig on this topic as
we understand more about it.

To begin with, Occupational health is also commonly referred as Occupational health

and safety (OSH). It is a multidisciplinary field concerned with the safety, health, and
welfare of people at work. In other words, aside from working they too have plans
concerning their health for the good of everyone in their specified workplace.
Furthermore, Occupational health and safety Act is a law that was passed down in
the year 1970. It was said that their main purpose is to protect workers from health
and safety hazards on their job.

In addition, Occupational health is a discipline involving many specified fields. Which

aims mostly on protection and health safety of everyone. They cover the physical,
mental, and social well-being of the workers.

A law itself is enough to know that it is important. Workers have their different jobs on
different place. It could be on an office, plantation, etc. Yet this is not the case. Every
day workers are facing many health hazards such as; dusts, gases, noise, vibration,
and extreme temperatures. If not taken seriously, these hazards itself could lead the
workers to have sickness causing work-related accidents and much more.

With work-related problems, workers will suffer consequences not only affecting
themselves but also their family. An injury or having a disease is an example in this
situation. With these, it would cost them serious outcome. Originally, their income
would be at loss, others might get replaced by another recruit, some might get a
negative vibe from others and they could even lose their current job and position.

Thus, workers do their best to avoid these things to happen, by keeping a healthy
diet and by maintaining a safe environment. Other companies provide health and
safety programs to help save the lives of their workers. This could benefit them also
by saving a ton of money. The goal of this program is not only to maintain the
cleanliness and safety of their workplace but also to keep their workers well-informed
about the situation. If both parties can guarantee to another then they could have a
wonderful future together. By maintaining such responsibility, it could greatly benefit
the company and to their own families.

Upon hearing some work-related accidents and problems, there have been many
cases of occupational work-related accidents around the world. Record shows that it
is estimated that at least 250 million occupational accidents occur every year
worldwide. Some of the industries with the highest risk of accidents are mining,
agriculture, forestry and logging, and construction. Anyhow, it seems that the health
and safety in a workplace has improved in most industrialized countries over the past
20-30 years yet it is still reassuring since diseases and problems are still present up
to this time.

In connection to accidents we also have a worldwide case of occupational work-

related diseases. Some of this are recognized and well-known namely; asbestosis,
silicosis, lead poisoning, and noise-induced hearing loss. There are other cases too
that are labeled as potentially crippling health problems. These include; heart
disease, musculoskeletal disorders, allergies, reproductive problems, stress-related
disorders.

Aside from diseases, we also are lacking of health facilities and health care
practitioners that should be required in every workplace. Also, being responsible is
one ability must know. All of these diseases affects all workers in any state. And as
we are now, the number of cases and types of occupational diseases are increasing
rather than decreasing, in both developing and industrialized countries.

Many have been thinking of what is the source of all of these diseases. Some
researched for it and find out that it is very often difficult to determine. They said one
of the factors is the latency period. Other factors were by drinking and smoking which
gives them weak in resistance and mind. Yet, they also said that it is because of
hazards all over the workplace.

When we talk about hazards, we know that it is present anywhere some are obvious
while others are not. There are unlimited numbers when it comes to this and this
could be the root of an accident or disease to an individual. Hazards come in
chemical, physical, biological, psychological, and mechanical. Remember, that each
of them might be the cause/source of an accident. By the looks of it, It is not the
workers who made the hazards present, they are just everywhere around in your
workplace. The group is not saying though that every workplace has many hazards,
but it depends on the situation of the place. If the place is arranged, organized, clean
and safe. I doubt that any hazard is present. It is by the workplace responsibility to
know what sort of hazards they have. And they must get rid of it before someone will
get hurt or something sinister will happen. This is where they find out that if there is
hazards, then let us get rid of that hazards. They will just be a hindrance through its
progress of work. Sooner or later, they invented a hazard control program. Which
means to control and prevent hazards. This could be use in order to protect the
workers from any exposure of hazards.

Here are the main ways to control a hazard:

 Elimination This is the process of removing the
hazard from the workplace. This is
considered as the most effective way
because the hazard is no longer present.

Also. Substitution can be used if

 Engineering controls
necessary. Mostly it is used by chemicals
that is needed to be used for a certain
purpose. Be reminded that if you allow
substitution, you must substitute the one
that is less hazardous than the original.
These are methods that are built into the
design of a plant, equipment, or process
to minimize the hazard.
 Basic types of it includes:
 Process control
 Enclosure and/or isolation of
emission source
 Ventilation
 Administrative controls It controls limit workers exposures by
scheduling shorter work times in
contaminant areas or by implementing
other “rules”.

Since this is the Admin. Other work like;

Work practices, Education training, Good
housekeeping, Emergency
preparedness, and personal hygiene are
one of its responsibilities. In this way,
workers will get trained to be responsible
in oneself through following such manner
for their safety itself and the safety of the
workplace.
 Personal protective equipment This includes a set of personal wear for
(PPE) safety purposes. This will also serve to
provide a barrier between the wearer and
the chemical or material.

Overall, Having a job weights more problem more than you suspected. It will not give
you a problem financially but also physically, mentally, or even socially. Yet, this is
not mean to stop you on getting a job, for this is a challenge. Being a professional
and a responsible person is one of the key in getting out of this. Do your best.
Hazards maybe everywhere so please be aware. You are not the only who is working
and doing progress. Like them, they perform the best out of everything, avoid getting
sick, go on a promotion, etc. Problems are everywhere but there is a solution in each
one of them. Make sure to avoid them in the best way possible. The group believe
that the occupational health and safety are doing well. Improving than before. To
know and eliminate hazards is one thing that is good today. People are doing their
best everyday just to make a living.