The field of occupational health addresses workplace issues that affect employees' physical, mental, and social wellbeing. It involves developing workplace cultures and reducing health risks to employees. This branch of medicine is also concerned with injury prevention in the workplace. Statistics show that one person is injured in the workplace every seven seconds. That amounts to around 510 injuries every hour and more than 12 million every day. These injuries can be both emotionally and financially devastating for the workers and employers.
Historically, occupational health programs centered on manual labor. After the Civil War, many factories opened, providing thousands of jobs for young, inexperienced workers. However, these factories were also riddled with dangers. A report from the Massachusetts Bureau of Labor highlights countless incidents of lost limbs and a lack of proper ventilation. Workers had to breathe toxic fumes and accumulated dust. It was also common to find workers with low physical fitness. Check out Meridian Healthcare for top occupational health programs.
Occupational health programs may include on-site clinics, coaching, tools to improve wellness, and more. Some may even offer telemedicine services or psychologists to employees. In addition, worker's compensation programs offer treatment plans to workers who have suffered injuries on the job. Further, many companies have their own psychologists and physicians on staff. These professionals are often able to provide workers with the assistance they need to improve their physical and mental health. For a great occupational health center, see Meridian Healthcare.
In addition to chemical and biological hazards, workplaces can also create a host of environmental risks. Many common workplace hazards can lead to heart and respiratory problems, as well as neurological disorders. These conditions can be difficult to diagnose, but can significantly reduce the lifespan of employees. For these reasons, occupational health programs are vital to the wellbeing of employees and employers alike. These programs provide a foundation for future success in the field of occupational health. You'll need to consider the following topics before enrolling in an occupational health program.
The doctorate in occupational health builds on the bachelor's degree and allows you to pursue a more academic role in the field. It teaches students how to assess and evaluate workplaces and provide solutions to workplace health problems. The program also includes public health courses specific to workplace environments, such as zoonotic diseases. Occupational health students may also undertake a practicum or internship, which gives them valuable real-world experience. This hands-on experience will be valuable to potential employers, who value the skills gained in the workplace.
The EU has established an Occupational Safety and Health Administration to oversee implementation of the new law. The goals of the Occupational Health and Safety Act are different depending on the occupation. Construction workers have higher risks of injuries due to physical threats, while office workers suffer more mental health problems due to repetitive stress. In addition to the law, there are new standards and regulations that employers must follow. The goal of a good OSH performance benefits worker health and the quality of the enterprise's products and services. Continue reading more on this here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbyxxarv_OI.
