What Is Occupational Safety And Health
A multidisciplinary field concerned with the safety, health, and welfare of individuals at work is known as occupational safety and health (OSH), also known as occupational health and safety (OHS), occupational health, or occupational safety (i.e. in an occupation). These terms initially served as an acronym for occupational safety and health program/department/etc. since they also allude to the field’s objectives. Fostering a safe and healthy work environment is the aim of an occupational safety and health program. All members of the general public who might be impacted by the workplace environment are likewise protected by OSH.
The Importance Of OSH In Every Organization
An accident or illness related to the workplace claims the lives of more than 2.78 million people worldwide each year, or one every fifteen seconds. Every year, there are an extra 374 million nonfatal workplace accidents. According to estimates, the annual economic cost of occupational illness, injury, and death is close to 4% of the world GDP. This adversity has a high human cost.Employers are required by common law (also known as the duty of care) to take reasonable precautions for their employees’ safety in common-law jurisdictions.The specifics of this differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but statute legislation may also impose more general obligations, add new particular obligations, and establish government entities with the authority to regulate occupational safety issues.
Occupational Hazard
A wide range of workplace hazards (sometimes referred to as unsafe working conditions) poses threats to people’s health and safety at work even while labor has numerous financial and other rewards. These include a wide range of psychological risk factors in addition to “chemicals, biological agents, physical factors, bad ergonomic conditions, allergies, and a complex network of safety dangers.” Several of these risks can be mitigated with the aid of personal protective equipment. Long working hours are the occupational risk factor with the highest attributable burden of disease, according to a landmark study by the World Health Organization and the International Labor Organization, which estimates that 745,000 people died from ischemic heart disease and stroke events in 2016.
Workplace Health And Safety
Every employee has a responsibility to ensure workplace safety. It’s critical to maintain awareness and accept responsibility for both your own safety and the safety of others.Safety and health at work affects more than simply one firm. Additionally, it is a global problem because occupational risks put billions of people at risk of harm or death worldwide. It is crucial to pay attention to it because of this.Workplace health and safety will help you comply with regulatory requirements and lower the likelihood that you will be punished in addition to safeguarding your staff. Putting money into a capable group of safety experts is an excellent approach to start completing these commitments.
Where To Study Occupational Health And Safety In South Africa?
The South African Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (SAIOSH) requires a recognized certificate at NQF level 5 or equivalent, together with some work experience, before you may be hired as a health and safety officer.There are only a handful of institutions who offer this program.These institutions are:
- UNISA
- Damelin Correspondence College (Pty) Ltd
- South African Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Saiosh)
- OHS Institute South Africa
- Occupational Health & Safety Training (OHST)
- KBC Health and Safety
- Health and Safety Exodec Training.
