Osh history and Introduction

OSH History and Introduction

Occupation Health and Safety

Occupational health and safety is a discipline with abroad scope involving many specialised fields. It encompasses the social, mental and physical well- being of workers that is the whole person.

Occupational health and safety (OHS) relates to
health, safety, and welfare issues in the workplace.

OHS includes the laws, standards, and programs that are aimed at making the workplace better for workers, along with coworkers, family members, customers, and other stakeholders

Occupation Health and Safety

As per the definition adopted by the Joint
ILO/WHO Committee on Occupational Health
(1950), occupational health is the adaptation of work to man and of each man to his job. It has the following components.

Promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well being of workers in all occupations Prevention among workers of departures from health caused by their working conditions

Occupation Health and Safety

Protection of workers in their employment from risks resulting from factors adverse to health and Placing and maintenance of a worker in an occupational environment adapted to his physiological and psychological equipment.

Why OHS

To reduce industrial accidents. To prevent occupational hazards/diseases. To achieve maximum human efficiency and machine efficiency. To reduce sick absenteeism.

Purpose of OHS

To maintain and promote the physical, mental and social well being of the workers. To prevent occupational diseases and injuries. To adapt the workplace and work environment to the needs of the workers i.e application of ergonomics principle. It should be preventive rather than curative.

Accident

Undesired circumstances which give rise to ill- health or injury, damage to property, plant, products or the environment production losses or increased liabilities

Incident

Undesired circumstances and near misses which
could cause accidents.

Health

Acute and chronic ill health caused by physical,
chemical or biological agents as well as adverse
effects on mental health.

Hazard

The potential to cause harm. Harm including ill
health and injury, damage to property, plant,
products or the environment, production losses or
increased liabilities.

Risk

Means the likelihood that a specified undesired
event will occur due to the realisation of a hazard
by, or during work activities or by the products and
services created by work activities.