We explain what occupational health is and what its objectives are. What specific functions does it have and what are its causes.
What is occupational health?
Occupational health, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is defined as a multidisciplinary activity that controls and carries out preventive measures to take care of the health of all workers. This includes illnesses, any type of accidents and all factors that may endanger the life, health or safety of people in their respective jobs.
Decades ago, discussions began about the importance of the health of workers who expose their bodies in a risky way when doing their jobs. It is for this reason that occupational health was created in order to promote and Maintain physical and mental well-being as much as possible of people who have a job.
Occupational health, in its origins, was invented in order to help and protect those who had more physical risks when they worked, but today, includes workers of any profession or trade so that the work adapts to the man, and the man to the work.
See also: Social health
Occupational health objectives
As the main objective, occupational health generates and promotes healthy and safe work. To do this, it protects workers from the possibility that there is a risk in the work environment to their health or well-being.
At the same time, it is related to analyzing the environment and adapting it to the physical and psychological conditions of the workers. It is for this reason that three main objectives of occupational health were established.
First of all, the health of employees must be maintained and promoted, as well as the capacity that each one possesses. Working conditions must be sufficiently optimal to promote their health and well-being.
Finally, emphasis will be placed on creating organizational systems to promote health and safety in the workplace. A positive climate must be promoted in the organization, seeking to achieve greater efficiency and thus be able to optimize the productivity of each company.
Occupational health functions
Although each country will have its own regulations regarding occupational health, there are certain functions that are general and fundamental.
- You must identify and evaluate any type of risk that could affect the workplace.
- You must analyze the factors that relate to the work environment and analyze whether any practices carried out there may harm the health or well-being of workers.
- It will provide advice regarding health, safety and hygiene, and ergonomics.
- It will be responsible for disseminating the necessary information and educating workers regarding health and hygiene.
- It will control that regulations related to the quality and hygiene of the place are guaranteed.
Causes of occupational health
The problems that occupational health deals with are linked to everything that happens in the workplace or as a consequence of the work they do.
Some examples of these accidents may be: fractures, cuts, amputations, any type of disorders caused by repetitive movement, problems that may arise in the ears due to a particular noise that exists in the workplace, vision problems -including blindness-, any disease caused by difficulty breathing, caused by exposure to radiation or by exposure to germs found in places where there should be health care.
It is essential that a workplace can be provided with the necessary conditions to provide health and safety to all workers. The prevention of future illnesses or accidents It must be carried out in order to reduce the risks of these problems occurring.
In turn, all Workers must take care of their own health and well-being on their own ; That is, if their job requires using their body in a risky manner, they must remain in good physical condition and healthy. It is always advisable to do everything possible to reduce the level of stress that job obligations can cause.
Finally, each person must verify that their work area maintains adequate working conditions and you must always use the appropriate clothing and equipment.