OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (OHS) IS A PRACTICE

An occupation can be defined as an activity, profession or legal job engaged in by individuals for
the purpose of earning a living. There are various kinds of occupation but they can be categorized
into three (3) 1. Industrial occupation; 2. Commercial occupation; and, 3. Services.
Health, according to the World Health Organization, is a state of complete physical, mental, and
social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. It encompasses the ability to
adapt to changing circumstances and cope with challenges, emphasizing both personal resources
and capabilities. Ultimately, health is a positive concept that involves thriving and functioning well
in life.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Physical Health:
This refers to the body's overall condition and its ability to function without illness or injury. It
includes aspects like fitness, nutrition, and disease prevention.
Mental Health:
This involves emotional and psychological well-being, including the ability to cope with stress,
manage emotions, and maintain positive relationships.
Social Health:
This relates to the ability to interact effectively with others, build and maintain relationships, and
participate in social activities.
In addition to these core aspects, some definitions of health also include:
Cultural Wellbeing: For some communities, like Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,
health also encompasses cultural well-being.
Existential Wellbeing: This aspect focuses on finding meaning and purpose in life.
Dynamic Balance: Health is not static but rather a continuous process of adapting to life's
challenges and maintaining a state of equilibrium.
Occupational health and safety (OHS) is a practice that deals with the safety, health, welfare and
wellbeing of people when they are at work. Providing a safe working environment for staff is a
legal responsibility for companies and OHS requires both the prevention and treatment of any
health issues that staff may experience during or because of their work. Occupational safety is a
fundamental aspect of any work environment, aimed at protecting workers’ health and well-being
through the implementation of preventive and corrective measures. In this article, we will explain
what occupational safety is, its importance, and strategies to improve it in the workplace.
Occupational safety refers to a set of practices, policies, and procedures designed to prevent
accidents, injuries, and illnesses in the workplace. These measures include risk identification, the
implementation of safety controls, and employee training and education.

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Successful occupational health and safety practice requires the collaboration and participation of
both employers and workers in health and safety programmes, and involves the consideration of
issues relating to occupational medicine, industrial hygiene, toxicology, education, engineering
safety, ergonomics, psychology, etc.
Occupational health issues are often given less attention than occupational safety issues because
the former are generally more difficult to confront. However, when health is addressed, so is safety,
because a healthy workplace is by definition also a safe workplace. The converse, though, may not
be true - a so-called safe workplace is not necessarily also a healthy workplace. The important
point is that issues of both health and safety must be addressed in every workplace. By and large,
the definition of occupational health and safety given above encompasses both health and safety
in their broadest contexts.
Importance of Occupational Safety
1. Protecting Workers’ Health: The primary goal of occupational safety is to ensure a safe
work environment, reducing the risk of accidents and occupational diseases.
2. Regulatory Compliance: Complying with occupational safety regulations is mandatory
for companies. Non-compliance can result in legal and financial penalties.
3. Increased Productivity: A safe and healthy work environment can boost employee morale
and productivity, reducing absenteeism and turnover.
4. Cost Reduction: Implementing occupational safety measures can reduce costs associated
with workplace accidents, such as compensation, medical treatments, and lost productivity.
EFFECT OF POOR WORKING CONDITIONS
Poor working conditions of any type have the potential to affect a worker's health and safety.
Unhealthy or unsafe working conditions are not limited to factories — they can be found anywhere,
whether the workplace is indoors or outdoors. For many workers, such as agricultural workers or
miners, the workplace is “outdoors” and can pose many health and safety hazards.
Poor working conditions can also affect the environment workers live in, since the working and
living environments are the same for many workers. This means that occupational hazards can
have harmful effects on workers, their families, and other people in the community, as well as on
the physical environment around the workplace. A classic example is the use of pesticides in
agricultural work. Workers can be exposed to toxic chemicals in a number of ways when spraying
pesticides: they can inhale the chemicals during and after spraying, the chemicals can be absorbed
through the skin, and the workers can ingest the chemicals if they eat, drink, or smoke without first
washing their hands, or if drinking water has become contaminated with the chemicals. The
workers' families can also be exposed in a number of ways: they can inhale the pesticides which
may linger in the air, they can drink contaminated water, or they can be exposed to residues which
may be on the worker's clothes. Other people in the community can all be exposed in the same
ways as well. When the chemicals get absorbed into the soil or leach into groundwater supplies,
the adverse effects on the natural environment can be permanent.

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Overall, efforts in occupational health and safety must aim to prevent industrial accidents and
diseases, and at the same time recognize the connection between worker health and safety, the
workplace, and the environment outside the workplace.
Some occupational Health and Safety Practice include:
1. Hazard identification and risk assessment: Identifying potential hazards and implementing
controls to mitigate risks.
2. Training and education: Providing workers with training on safe work practices, equipment
operation, and emergency procedures.
3. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Ensuring workers use PPE, such as hard hats, gloves, and
respirators, to protect against hazards.
4. Workplace inspections: Regularly inspecting the workplace to identify and address potential
hazards.
5. Incident reporting and investigation: Reporting and investigating incidents to identify root
causes and implement corrective actions.
6. Health and wellness programs: Promoting worker health and wellness through programs such
as stress management, ergonomics, and health screenings.
Industries can benefit from OHS practices by:
1. Reducing injuries and illnesses
2. Improving productivity
3. Enhancing reputation
4. Reducing costs
Some industries with specific OHS challenges include:
1. Construction
2. Manufacturing
3. Healthcare
4. Mining
Effective OHS practices can be achieved through:
1. Management commitment
2. Worker involvement
3. Continuous monitoring and improvement
4. Compliance with regulations

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Unfortunately, some employers assume little responsibility for the protection of workers' health
and safety. In fact, some employers do not even know that they have the moral and often legal
responsibility to protect workers. As a result of the hazards and a lack of attention given to health
and safety, work-related accidents and diseases are common in all parts of the world.
The importance of occupational health and safety
Work plays a central role in people's lives, since most workers spend at least eight hours a day in
the workplace, whether it is on a plantation, in an office, factory, etc. Therefore, work environments
should be safe and healthy. Yet this is not the case for many workers. Every day workers all over
the world are faced with a multitude of health hazards, such as: Dusts, gases, noise, vibration,
extreme temperatures.
Unfortunately, some employers assume little responsibility for the protection of workers' health
and safety. In fact, some employers do not even know that they have the moral and often legal
responsibility to protect workers. As a result of the hazards and a lack of attention given to health
and safety, work-related accidents and diseases are common in all parts of the world.
HAZARDS
School workshops can pose various hazards to students and staff. Here are some potential hazards
to consider:
- Physical hazards:
- Sharp objects (e.g., scissors, knives, cutting tools)
- Hot surfaces or materials (e.g., welding, pottery)
- Electrical equipment (e.g., power tools, machinery)
- Moving machinery or equipment (e.g., woodworking, metalworking)
- Chemical hazards:
- Toxic substances (e.g., cleaning supplies, art materials)
- Flammable materials (e.g., paints, solvents)
- Corrosive substances (e.g., acids, bases)
- Biological hazards:
- Allergens (e.g., latex, certain materials)
- Infectious agents (e.g., bacteria, viruses)
- Ergonomic hazards:
- Poor posture or body mechanics
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Inadequate lighting or ventilation

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- Other hazards:
- Tripping or slipping hazards (e.g., cluttered workspaces, wet floors)
- Fire hazards (e.g., electrical equipment, open flames)
To mitigate these hazards, schools can implement safety measures such as:
- Supervision: Ensure qualified instructors or supervisors are present.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE): Provide PPE such as gloves, goggles, or masks.
- Safety training: Educate students on safe practices and procedures.
- Regular maintenance: Ensure equipment is well-maintained and functioning properly.
- Clear guidelines: Establish and communicate safety rules and protocols.
By identifying and addressing these hazards, schools can create a safer learning environment for
students and staff.