Occupational Hazards Prevention: A Comprehensive Guide
Occupational Hazards Prevention
Introduction
Occupational hazard prevention is crucial for improving working conditions and ensuring the health and safety of workers. It involves actions taken by employers, workers, manufacturers, and the government to minimize risks in the workplace.
Basics
1. Prevention
Prevention encompasses all activities and measures implemented to avoid or reduce work-related risks. These measures are based on the following principles:
- Avoid risks.
- Assess unavoidable risks.
- Combat risks at their source.
- Adapt the job to the worker.
- Consider technological advancements.
- Replace dangerous elements with safer alternatives.
- Plan for prevention comprehensively.
- Prioritize collective protective measures over individual ones.
- Provide adequate worker training.
2. Working Conditions
Working conditions refer to any workplace characteristic that can significantly impact worker safety and health. This includes:
- Premises, facilities, equipment, and resources.
- Physical, chemical, and biological agents present in the environment.
- Procedures for using these agents.
- Work organization and management aspects.
3. Occupational Risk
Occupational risk is the likelihood of a worker experiencing harm due to their job. Risk severity is determined by the probability and potential consequences of harm.
Risk Classification:
- Mechanical: Risks related to premises, facilities, equipment, and tools.
- Environmental: Risks associated with physical (noise, vibration, lighting, temperature, radiation), chemical (dusts, gases, fumes), and biological (viruses, bacteria) hazards.
- Psychosocial: Risks stemming from work organization and management.
4. Damage
Damage refers to illnesses, disorders, or injuries sustained during or as a result of work. Common examples include occupational accidents, diseases, chronic fatigue, and premature aging.
Main Occupational Damages
1. Accidents
An accident is an injury a worker sustains while performing their job. Technically, it’s an unexpected, unwanted event that interrupts work, causing harm to people or property.
Characteristics:
- Occurs during paid employment.
- Has a cause-effect relationship.
- Happens suddenly.
- Results in injury.
- Includes accidents during work-related travel.
2. Occupational Diseases
An occupational disease is a health condition contracted due to work activities. Technically, it’s a gradual deterioration of a worker’s health from prolonged exposure to harmful work environments.
Characteristics:
- Has a cause-effect relationship.
- Involves continuous exposure to a negative environment.
- Develops slowly and gradually.
- Must be listed as an occupational disease by Social Security.
3. Other Occupational Damages
- Work Stress: Occurs when job demands exceed a worker’s capacity, threatening their well-being. Examples include bullying and burnout.
- Work Fatigue: A short-term reduction in physical and mental capacity without sufficient recovery time.
- Premature Aging: Accelerated aging due to accumulated chronic fatigue.
- Job Dissatisfaction: A mismatch between worker aspirations and their job, leading to demotivation. Caused by negative work environments, lack of participation, monotonous tasks, etc.
Prevention Techniques
1. Occupational Safety
Aims to eliminate accidents caused by the work environment. It involves identifying and preventing risks through training, tool design, and protective measures.
2. Industrial Hygiene
Focuses on preventing occupational diseases caused by environmental factors (physical, chemical, and biological).
3. Ergonomics
Adapts the job to the worker to ensure a comfortable and safe working posture.
4. Social Psychology
Analyzes individual behavior in relation to occupational risks and their impact on the work environment.