Lesson 1: Definitions and Key Concepts
Occupational Disease Definition
Any disease contracted primarily as a result of exposure to risk factor arising from work activity e.g. Directly causal relationship such as silica, asbestos or methane
Work Related Disease
A multifactorial disease which is either wholly or partially caused by work conditions or aggravated by working conditions
Hazard
A potential source (substance, agent, or physical situation) of harm or adverse health effect on a person and/or damage to property
Risk
The probability that a person will be harmed/ experience an adverse health effect if exposed to a hazard and the consequence of its occurrence (health outcome)
Other Definitions
- Impairment: Any loss or abnormality of psychological, physiological, or anatomical structure or function
- Disability: Any restriction or lack (resulting from an impairment) of ability to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being
- Handicap: A disadvantage for a given individual that limits or prevents the fulfilment of a role that is normal
- Presentism: When individuals feel obliged to work despite not being fit for work
- EMAS (Eco Management & Audit Scheme): System of evaluating reporting and improving the environmental performance of an organisation
Occupational Hygiene
Discipline of assessing, controlling and reducing hazards and involves ARECC pneumonic
- Anticipating risks
- Recognising risks
- Evaluating risks
- Controlling risks
- Confirming risks