Occupational Health Module in

the Basic OSH Training

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
 CONTENTS

• Module Objectives

• Time requirement

• Outline and Clear Points

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
 Occupational Hazards and
Workers’ Health
• Time Required: 3 hours and 30 minutes

• Purpose:
This module aims to give the participants
basic knowledge on the health effects of the
different hazards encountered in the
workplace and the means to prevent such
occurrences.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
 Occupational Hazards and
Workers’ Health
• Objectives

At the end of this module, participants will be able

to:
– Explain the key concepts of occupational health

– Discuss and explain common hazards in the

workplace and their effects on workers health

– Describe the role of medical surveillance in

preventing occupational illnesses and injuries

– Identify ways to protect one’s self from health hazards

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
 OUTLINE
1. Definition of Occupational Health 4. Health effects of common hazards
– Chemical Hazards
based on Joint WHO/ILO • Mineral dust/fiber, Organic solvents, Heavy metals, etc.
– Physical Hazards
2. OH statistics • Noise, temperature, vibration, illumination, radiation, etc.
– Global estimates – Biological Hazards
– National data • TB, HIV/AIDS, Tetanus, etc.
– Ergonomic Hazards
• WAIR , AMR; BITS; Compensation • Risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders, issues with
claims; Research and case studies use of computers, stress, etc.

3. Key concepts in the causation of 5. Medical surveillance as key element in ensuring

disease from work exposures
– Defining the following terms are
essential: exposure, toxicity, hazard,
risk
6.
– Factors that determine disease
development
• Workplace factors
• Individual factors (lifestyle habits
included)
health of workers
– Definition and objectives of medical surveillance
– OSHS Rule 1960
– PD 626 Employees Compensation and State Insurance
Fund
Health Promotion to address contribution of
individual factors in disease causation
– Smoking, drinking of alcoholic beverage, diet, exercise,
responsible sexual practice, etc.
– DO 53-03/RA 9165 (Drugs), DO 56-03 (Family Welfare),
DO 73-05 (TB), DO 102-10/RA 8504 (HIV/AIDS), DA 05-
10 (Hepatitis B)
– RA 9211 (Tobacco Control Act of 2003)

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
 CLEAR POINTS
• Exposure to workplace hazards may have ill-effects to the workers’ health.
– It should be emphasized that hazards in the workplace can cause harm if there is undue exposure
through elevated workplace concentration without control measures in place.

– Occupational diseases and work-related illnesses may be prevented by appropriate control

measures.

• Medical surveillance is a monitoring system that should lead to prevention.

– Screening susceptible individuals and early diagnosis of diseases to prevent progression of an
illness or to immediately control workplace hazards

• Company policies, programs and services are important to protect and monitor workers’
health.
– The ultimate goal of occupational safety and health services is prevention of adverse effects from
workplace exposure
– Tools and capacities for primary prevention of occupational illness must be in place: Appropriate
control measures for health protection; Compliance to regulations and standards; Health promotion

• Workers have roles in the promotion of their own health by following company policies on
safety and health, participating in the implementation of programs and through lifestyle
modification.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT