Occupational Health and Safety Prevention Strategies

Relations Between Work and Health

Work makes the development of society possible by increasing welfare and quality of life; however, it is also likely to involve damaging the health of workers.

Basic Concepts in Occupational Prevention

There are specific characteristics that can influence the occurrence of occupational hazards. Work factors are the specifications of these working conditions.

Understanding Risk and Damage

• The Risk: When a working condition negatively affects health, it is considered a risk factor.
• Damage: Damage occurs when a risk materializes, changing from a possibility to a reality.

Prevention and Protection Against Risks

The prevention of occupational hazards is the set of activities or measures implemented in all phases of business activity to avoid or reduce work-related risks. This should involve the participation of all components of the leading professional company.

Risk Factors and Evaluation

Risk factors may derive from safety issues, or have physical, chemical, biological, technical, procedural, or organizational origins. Risk Evaluation serves as a source of information that can identify problems and solutions.

Key Disciplines in Workplace Safety

Prevention, Security, and Protection: The ultimate goal is the elimination of accidents caused by physical factors.

Industrial Hygiene: This technical discipline aims to prevent diseases arising from exposure to chemical, physical, and biological factors.

Medicine at Work: This field focuses on health promotion and monitoring before damage takes place. It is also responsible for care and treatment after damage occurs.

Ergonomics: A technical package that strives to adapt the work to the people. Social Psychology aims to analyze the behavior of individuals in relation to occupational hazards.

Possible Health Damage to Workers

Specific Pathologies: Work Accidents

From a legal point of view, a work accident is any physical injury that a worker suffers during sessions performed for others. From a prevention standpoint, it is an unexpected and unwanted event that disrupts normal continuity.

Occupational Disease

From a legal standpoint, an occupational disease is contracted as a result of the labor employed. From a preventive point of view, it represents the deterioration of permanent health.

Essential First Aid Procedures

When a worker requires first aid, follow these protocols:

• Act calmly to provide relief.
• Do not move the injured person.
• Keep the injured party in a horizontal position to examine them thoroughly.
• Do not attempt to replace doctors.
• Maintain a comfortable temperature and reassure the patient.
• Immobilize any broken limbs.
• Keep in mind the possibility of a spinal injury.
• Never allow the victim to eat or drink.