The Importance of Occupational Monitoring in Health

Firstly, according to the ILO, it is defined as services invested with essentially preventive functions and advising the employer, the workers and their representatives about the requirements to establish and sustain a safe and healthy work environment that favours physical and mental health—to the work and its adaptation to the capacities of the workers, taking into account their state of physical and psychological health.

Taking into account the above. Therefore, we define it as the process that allows recognizing, studying, evaluating and documenting possible exposures of workers to physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic and psychosocial hazards that can affect the health of an organization’s workers.

What are the parameters to take into account

It depends on your activities and the risks to which workers are exposed, not only plant workers, who are usually the first to consider occupational health and Safety (OSH). It also includes personnel with administrative tasks. We can divide them into five types of agents:

Physical agents

In other words, Any agent, factor, or circumstance can cause damage with or without contact. Above all, they can be classified as a type of occupational risk or environmental risk. Physical hazards include ionizing, non-ionizing or UV radiation hazards, heat and cold stress, lighting (Luxometry), vibration hazards (point body or whole), and noise hazards (via Dosimetry and Tonometry).

Chemical agents:

Exposure to substances, preparations and residues generated in the workplace. Many risky chemicals include neurotoxins, immune agents, dermatological agents, carcinogens, reproductive toxins, systemic toxins, asthmagens, pneumoconiosis agents, and sensitizers. These hazards can cause physical and health risks. Depending on the chemical, the risks involved may vary. The most common are volatile organic compounds (VOC), respirable particles, and volatile inorganic acids.

Biological agents

All those biological substances represent a threat to the health of living organisms, mainly that of human beings. This may include samples of a microorganism, virus, or toxin (from a biological source) that may affect human health. It may also contain substances harmful to other animals. Through environmental plating tests, water for human consumption, inert surfaces, among others. However, who has all the spotlight now is COVID-19. Which must constantly update staff with measures and PPE suitable for face-to-face work.

Ergonomic agents

These are work factors that increase the probability of generating musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), such as the muscles or ligaments of the lower back, the tendons or nerves of the hands/wrists, or the bones surrounding the knees. MSD risk is often magnified when multiple factors are present or when whole body or hand/arm vibration, poor lighting, poorly designed tools, equipment, or workstations result in additional negative worker/worker interactions. Username. Currently, there are various methodologies (REBA, RULA, MAC, ROSA, NIOSH, JSI) to determine the risks and apply measures chosen in the field according to the risk factor.

Psychosocial agents:

However, they come from the occupational risk that affeworkers’ psychological well-beingkers, including their aptitude to contribute to a work environment among other people. They are related to the way work is designed, organized and accomplished, and the economic and social perspectives of work and are linked with psychiatric, psychological and physical injury or illness. Issues such as professional stress and workplace violence are found. There are various methodologies which must have the support of an occupational psychologist.

So why is it important to do them on time?

Periodically carrying out an Occupational Monitoring allows those responsible for OSH of the organizations:

  • Demonstrate compliance with national regulations or international standards.
  • Select suitable personal protective equipment.
  • Identify areas for improvement in occupational health and safety management.
  • Verify the effectiveness of the controls implemented to reduce risks.
  • Assure workers that their work environment is safe.
  • Improve the work environment.
  • Increase the efficiency of processes and workers.

Our Role in The Importance of Occupational Monitoring in Health

At The wiki guide, we know that each company is different and specific. However, which is why we have the technical and logistical capacity to carry out occupational monitoring in the vast majority of sectors (agricultural, agro-industrial, mining, electricity, hydrocarbons, metallurgical, productive, internal trade, fishing, construction, cheers).

We have a technical team of various specialities and national scope updated with new technologies, methodologies and standards that keeps us at the forefront of an efficient, quality and ethical service, backed by our triple ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 certification. Moreover, we invite you to contact us to propose an occupational monitoring proposal focused on achieving the sustainable development you need for the well-being of your team.