Occupational Health, Hygiene and Worker Welfare
Health hazards
- Occupational health covers noise, dust, fumes, chemicals, vibration, ergonomic strain, heat, biological agents and psychosocial hazards.
- Control exposure at source: substitution, enclosure, local exhaust ventilation and good housekeeping. PPE is the last line and must fit and be maintained.
- Exposure monitoring and health surveillance may be needed where workers face significant health risks. Health records are confidential and kept separately from personnel files.
Hygiene and welfare
- Provide clean drinking water, sanitary facilities, washing facilities, changing areas where needed, rest breaks and a clean canteen or eating area.
- Welfare also includes first aid, adequate lighting, ventilation, temperature control and arrangements for pregnant or vulnerable workers.
- Workers must be informed of health risks and how to report symptoms.
Worked example
Spray painters report headaches. The assessment finds poor extraction and inadequate PPE. The employer installs local exhaust ventilation, checks respirator fit, starts health surveillance and rotates tasks. Providing stronger masks alone would not be adequate because exposure is not controlled at source.
Traps that cost marks
Treating OSH as safety only; assuming PPE eliminates exposure; ignoring welfare facilities; failing to keep health records confidential; missing non-obvious hazards such as noise or ergonomics.
Exam focus
Link health hazards to source controls, monitoring and welfare. In scenarios, address exposure, worker information and confidentiality.