The Role Of Occupational Safety And Health System In Building Disease Resilience In Work Places

Project and Seminar Material for Public Health

Abstract

In this study, our focus was on the role of occupational safety and health system in building disease resilience in work places, Enugu State as case study. The study is was specifically focused on assessing the role of occupational safety and health system in building disease resilience in work places and assessing if there were safety measure in place to prevent the spread of corona virus.

The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 100 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent are staff of banks in Enugu State

Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

In Nigeria, occupational safety and health (OSH) has received inadequate attention and support.The COVID-19 pandemic, with its far-reaching effects on the workplace, emphasizes the importance of occupational safety and health (OSH) to all of us. The novel coronavirus can quickly invade workplaces, putting employees, their families, and their populations at risk of infection. Going to work does not make us feel unsafe. Aside from the risk of contamination, staff in both industries face problems as a result of new job processes and policies implemented to slow the virus’ spread. Teleworking, for example, has resulted in ergonomic and psychosocial risks, with 65 percent of surveyed businesses saying that maintaining employee productivity has been difficult to sustain while working from homeCertain workplaces have been disproportionately impacted, such as the 136 million health and social workers that are at high risk of contracting COVID-19 whilst on the job. Furthermore, such employees, as well as critical personnel in a variety of other industries, have been subjected to elevated workloads, longer working hours, and shortened rest periods. The risk of workplace abuse and intimidation has also increased, with negative effects on both physical and mental health. Since 1919, the International Labor Organization (ILO) has prioritized workplace safety from illness, disease, and injuries caused by their work environment.The values found in ILO Occupational Safety and Health standards have proven to be more important than ever since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, especially the concept of prevention. Faced with an ongoing global health crisis, officials have acted quickly to halt the virus’s dissemination across public health programs. Workplace actors, especially those in the field of occupational safety and health (OSH), have been critical in the emergency response for protecting employees, even those that promote public health programs.Simultaneously, special care must be taken to ensure that programs and practices do not discriminate against any employees, and that those in marginal circumstances, such as children, women, persons with disabilities, migrant workers, the self-employed, and those in the informal sector, are taken into account. The need for countries to have a sound and resilient OSH structure in place is one of the many lessons learnt from this crisis. A structure that will help businesses survive and thrive by increasing their capacity to respond to potential crises and protecting employees’ safety and health.The ILO’s Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention of 2006 lays out the main components of a national OSH scheme (No. 187). A national OSH policy, regulatory, and operational framework; occupational health services; intelligence, consulting services, and training; data collection and research; and processes for improving OSH management structures at the enterprise level to deter and respond to OSH risks are all included. Investing in these programs allows countries to help prepare for and rebound from disasters by protecting lives and livelihoods and improving job health.In light of the current situation in Indonesia, where the workplace has become one of the COVId-19 clusters, the Manpower Ministry has released guidance for employers on how to handle COVId-19 in the workplace. The recommendations cover work-related risk management for employees and recommend incorporating COVID-19 procedures into current OSH and ongoing wellness services, such as first-aid at work, mental health, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis (TB).It is very promising that the use of the recommendations has the approval of employers’ organisations and labor unions. Joint actions by employers and employees will improve awareness that COVID-19 is a shared problem, and the overall aim is to keep the workers and company healthy. Indeed, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of social dialogue between governments, businesses, and workers’ groups in not just reacting to emergencies but also fostering good OSH conditions. The successful introduction of interventions to resolve emergencies like COVID-19, which require swift yet effective intervention, requires an environment of confidence established by social dialogue. Mechanisms for social dialogue lay a solid basis for resilience growth. COVID-19 has undeniably been one of the world’s most severe workplace safety and health issues. Let us work together to build the robust and sustainable national OSH programs we need to protect the lives and welfare of all workers for years to come by collective action and dedication from all stakeholders.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Improved physical health, strategies for dealing with difficult circumstances and colleagues, staying stable under pressure, coping with work-related pressures, and correctly assessing the sources of work-related difficulties are all part of comprehensive resilience systems. Workplaces should foster workforce endurance through fitness and wellbeing services, worker support programs, and mental health first aid. Having emergency care on-site will pay off handsomely. Health providers can improve employee well-being in a variety of ways, from taking a holistic attitude to medical treatment through health awareness activities to addressing conditions on-site as they arise. Employers can create a genuine culture of health and safety by combining a rigorous safety policy with a program that focuses on occupational health and well-being utilizing comprehensive health and safety. “The blending of health and safety policies along a continuum of organizational, family, and workplace practices to improve overall worker well-being and reduce work-related accidents and illnesses,” according to the definition of integrated health and safety. It is important to demonstrate that workers are respected in order to improve their emotional and social well-being. When employees have access to health and fitness services, an atmosphere and practices that promote teamwork, and are given formal and informal appreciation for their efforts, they feel respected. Employees not only see several health gains from working on a resilient workforce, but they also hold workers who encourage resilience projects in higher regard.

1.3 Objective of the Study

The main objective of the study is to assess the role of occupational safety and health system in building disease resilience in work places. Specifically, the study aims;

To assess the role of occupational safety and health system in building disease resilience in work places .
To assess if there were safety measure in place to prevent the spread of corona virus.

1.4 Research Questions

What are the role of occupational safety and health system in building disease resilience in work places?
What safety measures were put in place to prevent the spread of corona virus?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This research would be beneficial to students and researchers who would do similar research.

1.7 Limitation of Study

Given the lack of funds, testing materials, and time constraints, the study’s focus was limited.

1.8 Definition of Terms

Health Safety:

Health safety are regulations and policies aimed at preventing accidents and injuries in the workplace and in public spaces

Disease Resilience:

It refers to a person’s capacity to cope and heal while they are challenged with sickness, injuries, or other physical challenges.

Work Place:

A job environment, such as an office or a factory

1.9 Organisation of the Study

The research work is divided into five (5) chapters.

Chapter one concerns itself with the general introduction grouped under the following headings; Background to the study, Statement of the problem, Objectives of the study, Significance of the study, Research questions, Scope of the study and Organization of the study.
Chapter two involves the review of various related literatures on the relevant subject under the study.
Chapter three includes the various methods used for collecting data for the research work. These methods include administration of questionnaires, interviews, observation etc.
Chapter four presents results, discussions and provides analysis of the data gathered for the study.
Finally, the fifth chapter provides conclusions and recommendations.

Chapter Five

Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations

5.1 Introduction

This chapter summarizes the findings on the role of occupational safety and health system in building disease resilience in work places, Enugu State as case study. The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, and recommendations.

5.2 Summary of the Study

5.3 Conclusions

With respect to the analysis and the findings of this study, the following conclusions emerged;

There cannot be any effective occupational health and safety policies if both employers and employees fail to perform their respective responsibilities. The employer is suppose to file government accident reports, maintain records on health and safety issues, posting safety notices and legislative information, providing education and training on health and safety.

The employer is required to institute a safety committee to be in charge of all health and safety related issues. The safety committee is responsible for studying trends in accidents with the view to making suggestions for corrective actions, examining safety reports and making proposals for avoiding accidents, examining and discussing reports from safety representatives, making proposals for new or revised safety procedures.

5.4 Recommendation

Based on the findings the researcher recommends that;

Education and Training: Management of the hospital should organize regular training, workshops, seminars on health and safety for staff, publish materials on safety and many other steps to inculcate safety consciousness in the minds of workers. Employees should be made to understand that safety and health practices are the responsibility of both management and staffs and this will go a long way to make the work area safe.
The respective OSH implementing institutions should adopt measures to ensure that relevant policies and regulations are implemented to the letter. Such measures should as well have a feedback mechanism that will promote effective and efficient monitoring of the policy.
The immediate institution within each ministry, such as the Human Resource departments, should establish proper communication strategies that will enable them frequently to identify the needs of employees thus ensure that they are well equipped.
There are needs for increasing employees’ awareness of what they are entitled to in respect to occupational safety and health. For registry staff, they should either use formal or informal means to request for provision of relevant tools and equipment’s that they need for their day-to-day activity, thus prevent themselves from exposure to occupational hazards.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Occupational Safety and health standards?

The Occupational Safety and Health Standards was formulated in 1978 in compliance with the constitutional mandate to safeguard the worker’s social and economic well-being as well as his physical safety and health.

What is workplace health and safety?

A work environment free of recognized health and safety threats with a means to identify and address new problems as they arise Workplace health programs can lead to change at both the individual (i.e., employee) and the organization levels.

What is Occupational Safety and health center?

Is there a relationship between occupational health and safety and obesity?

If work, obesity, and occupational health and safety are considered to have some relationship, it may be useful to consider interventions that address them simultaneously.