Occupational Health and Occupational Hygiene
7. Occupational Health and Occupational Hygiene
(sponsored by HSA and HSENI)
This is section 7 of 12 to be included in your submission.
Occupational health and occupational hygiene assessment and monitoring is an important part of a company’s health and safety management system. Monitoring may be carried out for varies reasons; ensure workers protection, base line exposure information, check adequacy of controls, routine checks, legal requirements, etc.
Monitoring should give vital information regarding workers exposure to hazardous agents such as dust, noise, vibration, chemicals in the workplace.
Occupational health and occupational hygiene are primarily concerned with the working environment itself rather than the medical effect on the workforce; they focus on factors in the workplace, which may affect the comfort, well-being and health of the employees.
Is the organisation:
- Identifying hazards present in the workplace which may impact the health of the workforce and acting to eliminate or reduce them.
- Monitoring the potential exposure to harmful substances in the workplace and interpreting and communicating these results to the relevant people.
- Recommending control measures to minimise exposure and developing strategies which will control the hazards at the workplace.
- Participating in risk assessments and developing management strategies for eliminating or controlling the hazards.
- Communicating the legal requirements of occupational health / hygiene to the workforce and management.
Supporting evidence relating to 2022 required in key areas associated with this section must include current evidence of implementation and review.
Examples of the evidence required:
- Pre-employment / periodic medicals
- Occupational health surveillance and monitoring as identified through risk assessment and/or legislative requirements;
- Occupational hygiene monitoring as identified through risk assessment and/or legislative requirements;
- Skin care / respiratory care
- General health issues
- Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP)
- Hearing conservation programmes
- Vibration prevention
- Inappropriate behaviour ( [Bullying, violence, aggression, abuse, etc.]
- Work Related Stress
- Biological Agents (to include COVID-19) Risk Assessment
Provide policies and procedures relevant to the above.
Evidence of implementation of the above.
NOTE: Training relating to Occupational Health and Occupational Hygiene should be included in section 9 (Health & Safety Training), not in this section.
This is not an exhaustive list but presents a structure for applicants.
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