OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH IN MEDICAL PRACTICE

 
 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH IN MEDICAL PRACTICE.  
BY
OWONIYA OLUWAKEMISOLA IWALOLA (PSYCHOLOGIST)    SDA HOSPITAL, ILE IFE, OSUN STATE. 08175437163.
OMOLOLA ADAMS OLATAYO. RN, RM, RPHN, BNSc                 SDA SCHOOL OF NURSING, ILE IFE, OSUN STATE.
 
A PRESENTATION
PRESENTED BY OWONIYA OLUWAKEMISOLA IWALOLA ( PSYCHOLOGIST) AT SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST HOSPITAL ILE IFE, OSUN STATE, NIGERIA
OUTLINE.
Introduction.
Definition.
Historical review.
Occupational Health psychology.
Role of psychologists in Occupational safety.
Approach to Occupational safety.
Employers and workers role in occupational safety.
Conclusion.
Recommendation.
INTRODUCTION.
According to World Health Organization (WHO) recent statistical rating, hospital is one of the most hazardous place to work. Over 2,500 health workers died the last one year in US as a result of Occupational hazard.
Therefore, the need to ensure occupational safety and health in medical practice cannot be over-emphasized.
HISTORICAL REVIEW.
The Occupational Safety and Health Standards was formulated in 1978 in compliance with the constitutional mandate to safeguard the worker’s social, psychological and economic well-being as well as his physical safety and health.
The advent of technological innovations in medical profession and the use of various equipments till date have however increased the number and types of occupational hazards that workers are exposed to.
DEFINITION.
Occupational Safety is define as the health and well-being of people employed in a work environment.
Occupational Health is define as the promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being  of workers in all occupations by preventing departures from health, controlling risks and adaptation of work to people and people to their job.(WHO 1950).
Occupational Hazards: These are human and non human factors capable of causing physical,social or psychological harm to people at workplace.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY.
The American Psychological Association(APA) in collaboration with (WHO) endorsed the field of Occupational Health Psychology whose intervention has been in existence since 1985.
Occupational Health Psychology is a discipline of psychology which involves the application of psychological principles to prevention of work hazard, improvement of work life, promotion of health, safety and well-being of people at work in every organization most especially the health sector.
ROLES OF PSYCHOLOGISTS IN OCCUPATIONAL  SAFETY AND HEALTH.
American Psychological Association(APA) in collaboration with WHO state that Occupational Health Psychologists are to perform the following  functions:
 Prevention of diseases and health promotion .
Description of good health practice.
 Risk evaluation: Assessment of occupational injuries.
     Encouraging  behaviours which will facilitate optimal physical and mental health in relation to work.
Encouraging training interventions that promote health and safety.
TIPS TO OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH.
Maintenance of equipments and substances used at workplace .
Surveillance of workers health in relation to work.
Maintaining in employment people of working age, health and ability
Contributing  to occupational rehabilitation by providing  first aid and emergency treatment.
Providing  advice, information, training and education on occupational health, safety, hygiene and ergonomics.
Systematic approach to the analysis of occupational accidents and occupational diseases.
Advising on the planning and organization of work and working practices, including  the design of workplaces and evaluation.
Identification of individual’s stressor which can lead to dysfunctional behaviours at work place

ROLES OF EMPLOYER IN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
  Give complete job safety instructions to all the workers, especially to those entering the job the first time.
Provide workers a place of employment free from hazardous conditions that are causing or likely to cause physical harm, illness or death to worker.
Familiarize workers with their work environment and the hazards to which workers are exposed to and steps taken in case of emergency.
Use only approved devices and equipments in his workplace.
WORKERS ROLE IN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY.
Every worker shall cooperate with the employer in carrying out the provisions of this standards:
He shall report to his supervisor any work hazard that may be discovered in his workplace.
Every worker shall make proper use of all safeguards and safety devices furnished in accordance with their various task and duties.
Workers shall follow every instruction given by the employer in compliance with the provisions of this standard.
CONCLUSION.
    The Corporate Social Responsibility of every organization is  to ensure the optimum safety of all employees at all times in order to help them have a desirable sense of security.
    Hence, the relevance of occupational safety and health in Medical practice cannot be over-emphasized.
REFERENCE
www.apa.org
www.who.int