Occupational Health and Safety

The primary objective of this course is to demonstrate that all operations within the Chemical Industry entail inherent risks to health and human life. Risks are categorized into occupational and non-occupational. This classification is directly linked to the choice of professional sector and signifies, to a large extent, the implicit acceptance of exposure to the specific hazards associated with each role.

Given that the absolute elimination of risk is unattainable, the focus is shifted toward its drastic mitigation, considering the various social, economic, and political factors that influence risk reduction strategies. The concept of risk is dual-natured, perceived either as an objective reality or as a construct of cognitive processes. The development of risk perception and the perceived probability of exposure are significantly influenced by a worker’s experience and formal training. Furthermore, consistent risk communication and the broad dissemination of information are pivotal in raising awareness and fostering a robust safety culture.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will have acquired the fundamental knowledge and competencies regarding Occupational Health and Safety.

The participant will be able to:

• Comprehend the significance of occupational safety, the factors contributing to the impairment of workers’ health and physical integrity, the necessity of risk analysis/assessment, the categorization and evaluation of risk mitigation/elimination measures, and the roles of all stakeholders involved.
• Understand the role of the state and other health organizations regarding hygiene, health, and safety in the workplace.
• Analyze the legislative framework for Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), including the general provisions and objectives of each legislative act.
• Identify the regulations of the current legal framework concerning the Health and Safety of employees.
• Understand the provisions of Civil, Criminal, and Labor Law regarding the protection of workers’ Health and Safety.
• Evaluate the contribution of human error to the occurrence of industrial accidents and analyze human behavior in the face of risk.
• Define the concept of risk, the methods of risk management, and the tools utilized for the identification of occupational hazards.
• Identify the minimum requirements and specifications that workplaces must meet to accommodate work stations.
• Acquire fundamental knowledge regarding the design of new workstations, as well as the evaluation and redesign of existing ones.
• Gain fundamental knowledge concerning the adverse effects of high noise levels on employees and overall work productivity.
• Acquire basic knowledge regarding hazards from dangerous chemical substances, risk assessment methodologies, and protective measures.
• Gain fundamental knowledge for the selection, evaluation, and rules for the utilization of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Select the appropriate PPE for each fire category and for activities with inherent specificities.
• Recognize the vital importance of Occupational Risk Assessment.
• Distinguish between different types of safety hazards.
• Acquire fundamental knowledge regarding the categories of liquid and gaseous fuels, conventional extinguishing agents, fire-fighting equipment, and fire suppression techniques using appropriate extinguishing media.
• Select the suitable extinguishing agent for each fire classification.
• Recognize the significance of the phenomena occurring in each fire category.
• Distinguish between different firefighting approaches and evaluate their respective advantages and disadvantages.

Students will acquire knowledge regarding:

• Sources of hazards and risk factors.
• Procedures for drafting a formal Risk Assessment.
• Qualitative assessment methods for hazard identification.
• Risk evaluation and quantitative risk assessment (QRA) methodologies.

Skills & Competencies:

• Comprehend the fundamental principles of occupational health and safety (OHS).
• Integrate OHS knowledge into their professional activities and workflows.
• Develop the ability to apply current legislation regarding rights and obligations in the workplace, both from an employee’s and an employer’s perspective.
• Implement fundamental safety rules and appropriate measures to minimize industrial accidents.
• Internalize the necessity of implementing both preventive and corrective/suppressive measures to safeguard infrastructure and human life, ensuring emergency preparedness.
• Acknowledge that the effective protection of Health and Safety within the Chemical Industry is a shared responsibility achieved through the proper utilization of available resources.
• Encourage and support colleagues who demonstrate aptitude in safety training and education.
• Understand the limitations and inherent uncertainties associated with the risk assessment process.

Competencies:

• Cultivate a safety and health mindset that positively influences both employee activities and overall organizational operations.
• Adopt self-monitoring and self-inspection procedures regarding health and safety conditions within the workplace.
• Utilize the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for each specific activity characterized by inherent hazards or technical specificities.
• Implement correct operational procedures and protocols in the management of all firefighting operations.
• Integrate acquired knowledge and safety best practices into their daily professional activities and workflows.
• Develop a comprehensive risk assessment methodology.
• Elaborate and execute the general steps and stages involved in the risk assessment process.