Unit-1 Introduction to Occupational Health and Safety

1.1 Learning Objectives After completing this unit, you should be familiar with the following concepts and issues:  Key principles and aim of occupational health and safety (OHS) programmes  Occupational health scenario in India  Different types of occupational hazards  Science of ergonomics and its relevance to occupational health 1.2 Definition and Context of Occupational Health and Safety Occupational health and safety is a discipline with a broad scope involving many specialised fields. It encompasses the social, mental and physical well-being of workers that is the “whole person”. This unit aims at providing students with general background information on OHS, and on the magnitude and variety of health and safety problems worldwide. It would help develop an understanding of the ergonomic, physical, chemical, biological, psychological and social determinants of OHS. 1.2.1 Definition Occupational health and safety is the discipline concerned with preserving and protecting human resources in the workplace. As per the definition adopted by the Joint ILO/WHO Committee on Occupational Health (1950), occupational health is the adaptation of work to man and of each man to his job. It has the following components.  Promotion and maintenance of the h