Occupational Hygiene & How it Could Help Your Business
One could be forgiven for thinking that occupational hygiene is all about cleaning the workplace, given the growing concern over industry’s carbon footprint and visible impact on the Earth’s climate. This belief is partially true, but the term comes from “Hygieia”, an ancient Greek god who was responsible for protecting her followers’ health. This relatively new science is aimed at ensuring the health and safety of people while they are working. South Africa, like other industrialised countries, has passed legislation that requires employers to protect employees from potential workplace hazards.
The Challenge in Identifying Workplace Hazards
It is important to note that identifying these hazards for those who are not familiar with occupational hygiene can be difficult. Some hazards have been overlooked for years because they weren’t linked to any health concerns until recently. Some problems are easy to spot, like missing safety rails or exposed electrical wiring. Others require more specialized methods of investigation. The only way to make sure your workers are protected adequately is to hire a certified OH consultant who will conduct a thorough workplace survey. The consultant will have to identify, assess and manage any workplace factors that could affect the health or well-being of workers.
5 Categories of Occupational Hygiene Management
For occupational hygiene management, these factors can be divided up into five categories. The biological agents are the most dangerous. Most of the time, bacteria and fungi do not pose a problem. When they are allowed to accumulate in the water or air supply, it can lead to serious problems. The classic example is Legionnaire’s Disease. To confirm or rule out the presence of pathogenic bacteria, laboratory tests and sampling will be required.
Chemical agents such as lead, ammonia and mercury can be hazardous to workers, if they are not identified and addressed by a consultant in Occupational hygienist. Some chemicals can cause dermatitis or respiratory problems, while others may be carcinogenic and present a risk of fire. It will again require specialist sampling and testing procedures in order to identify and assess the potential dangers of these substances to employees.
Noise, vibration, temperature extremes and ionising radiation are some of the physical agents that require investigation. It may be necessary in some cases to monitor the workplace and those working there to get an accurate picture. Any occupational hygiene expert will confirm that exposure to loud noises is the leading cause of deafness. Noise-induced hearing loss is also the main source of industrial compensation claims.
In recent years, concern has grown about the impact of psychological factors and on employee health. Pain and discomfort can be caused by musculoskeletal issues resulting from repetitive movements, heavy lifting, stretching and bending. When such risks are identified simple changes can often be made to eliminate them. Psychological factors such as stress caused by unrealistic workloads or poor organization are also susceptible to this.
