Prof. M.S.S. Varadan gave a presentation on occupational health and safety. Occupational health and safety aims to promote workers' physical, mental, and social well-being by preventing health issues caused by working conditions and protecting workers from risks. Common workplace hazards include dusts, gases, noise, vibration, and extreme temperatures. A good occupational health and safety program identifies hazards, monitors worker exposure, informs workers and employers of risks, has an active health and safety committee, and conducts ongoing safety efforts.

1. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND
SAFETY-INTRODUCTION
Presentation
by
Prof.M.S.S.Varadan
Chairman
Om Consultants (India) Pvt. Ltd.
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2. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
What is occupational health and safety ?
• the promotion and maintenance of the
highest degree of physical, mental and
social well-being of workers in all
occupations;
• the prevention among workers of adverse
effects on health caused by their working
conditions;
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3. • the protection of workers in their
employment from risks resulting from
factors adverse to health;
• the placing and maintenance of workers
in an occupational environment adapted
to physical and mental needs;
• the adaptation of work to humans.
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4. Health hazards
• Dusts;
• Gases;
• Noise;
• Vibration;
• Extreme temperatures
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5. The Range of hazards
• chemical hazards, arising from liquids,
solids, dusts, fumes, vapours and gases;
• physical hazards, such as noise,
vibration, unsatisfactory lighting,
radiation and extreme temperatures;
• biological hazards, such as bacteria,
viruses, infectious waste and
infestations;
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6. • psychological hazards resulting from
stress and strain;
• hazards associated with the non-
application of ergonomic principles, for
example badly designed machinery,
mechanical devices and tools used by
workers, improper seating and
workstation design, or poorly designed
work practices.
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7. Health & Safety programmes
• Workplace hazards are controlled – at the
source whenever possible;
• Records of any exposure are maintained
for many years;
• Both workers and employers are informed
about health and safety risks in the
workplace;
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8. • There is an active and effective health
and safety committee that includes both
workers and management;
• Worker health safety efforts are ongoing.
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9. Some well known occupational diseases
are :
• Asbestosis (caused by asbestos, which is
common in insulation, auto-mobile
brake linings, etc);
• Silicosis (caused by silica, which is
common in mining, sandblasting, etc);
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10. • Lead poisoning (caused by lead, which is
common in battery plants, paint
factories, etc);
• Noise-induced hearing loss (caused by
noise, which is common in many
workplaces, including airports, and
workplaces where noisy machines, such
as presses or drills, etc. are used)
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11. Health problems associated with poor
working conditions are :
• Heart disease;
• Musculoskeletal disorders such as
permanent back injuries or muscle
disorders;
• Allergies;
• Reproductive problems;
• Stress-related disorders
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