Occupational safety and health literacy

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Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) literacy is the degree to which individuals have the functional capacity to access, process and use the occupational safety and health (OSH) information, services and skills needed to eliminate or reduce risk in the workplace. [1]

Contents

Overview

OSH is the acronym for occupational safety and health. It is sometimes also referred to simply as health and safety (H&S), occupational health and safety (OHS) and workplace safety and health (WSH). In recent years the term has expanded to include environmental and quality assurance concepts. You may also see OSH referred to as occupational safety and health and environment (OSHE) safety, health and environment (SHE), environment, health and safety (EHS), Safety Health Environment and Quality (SHEQ) as well as several other terms. However, OSH is the most established term and is used by many major national and international bodies working in the field of workplace safety and health such as: OSHA and NIOSH (US), EU-OSHA (EU), ASEAN-OSHNET [2] (Asia), KOSHA [3] (South Korea) IOSH (international). [1] The United Nations (UN) [4] , Occupational Safety and Health | UN Global Compact [5] , International Labor Organisation (ILO) Occupational safety and health | International Labour Organization [6] and World Health Organisation (WHO) [7] , also specifically use the term OSH when relating to workplace safety and health issues. The term is specifically used in the UN Sustainable Development Goals SDGs 2030 [8] under SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth [9] and is also closely tied to SDG 3 [10] .


In the globalised, Age of Information, we use a unique system comprised of different shapes, colours, symbols, signals and specialized terminology to communicate information to prevent accidents. [2] This communication system has been standardized by the International Standards Organization (ISO). [2] . The UN's GHS for the Global classification of Hazardous Substances and the Vienna Convention on road traffic signs and symbols and other professional bodies. It is a common misconception that these safety and health signs are only applicable to occupational settings. It has been established that the ability to identify, interpret and use these universally applied symbols and jargon constitutes a literacy. As with other 'literacies' there are basic competencies that a person also needs to be classed as 'literate' in that field. With OSH literacy these are: Knowledge, Skills, Behaviour and Communication. Levels can be mapped to competency matrixes from entry level to advanced.

Examples

Examples of OSH literacy can be found at home on everyday household products: cleaning chemicals, cosmetics, electrical appliances, food packaging, fuels, paints and pesticides in public places: airports, shopping malls, sports and concert arenas, public roads, schools etc., and at work. [11] [12] ISO Standard 7010:2019 prescribes safety signs for the purposes of accident prevention, fire protection, health hazard information and emergency evacuation. It is applicable to all locations where safety issues related to people need to be addressed. [13] Safety signs, symbols, signals and terminology have become ubiquitous in or daily lives, yet most people have never been taught how to find, identify, evaluate or apply this essential information.

Effects of lack of OSH literacy and high-risk groups

The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that nearly 3 million women and men around the world succumb to work-related accidents or diseases every year; this corresponds to over 7500 deaths every single day. Worldwide, there are around 374 million occupational accidents and 160 million victims of work-related illnesses annually. The ILO updates these estimates at intervals, and the updates indicate an increase in accidents and ill health. [14] , According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), accidents are the leading cause of death and disability for young people aged 10 - 18 globally. Unintentional (accidental fatalities are the leading cause of death in nearly all developed countries for young people aged 5 - 25. Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) are the biggest killer. Drowning, chemical poisoning, slips, trips and falls, electrocution, fires, burns and scalds are also significant contributors to this data.

Data analysis shows that lack of safety and health education, poor communications and human factors are a root-causal factor in a significantly high number of all recorded accidents globally. [15]

Within employment, poor OSH literacy skills and human factors are the root-causal factor in a significantly high percentage of accidents. Particularly vulnerable groups include young workers, [16] older workers (aged over 45), [17] migrant workers, [18] persons with both visible and invisible disabilities, [19] people with low or no (illiterate) levels of literacy, [20] individuals who are speakers of English as a second language (English is the lingua-franca of OSH and the global workplace). [21]

There is no data currently available to show the amounts of deaths, diseases, injuries and losses which occur in the home or in public places due to a lack of OSH literacy skills. Nevertheless, the available statistical-data, suggests that there is a strong correlation between the number of people entering into new workplaces with little or no OSH literacy skills and the occurrence of OSH related incidents within the first twelve months of their employment. [22] [23] [24] [25]

In education

For many years international organizations involved with safety and health education such as: ENETOSH, [26] OSH-Africa, [27] OSHA-EU, [28] OSHA [29] and IOSH [30] the WHO and ILO have been advocating for safety and health to be mainstreamed into education.

These institutions highlight the life-long, socio-economic and health benefits that this can bring and that it can act as a foundation for life-long learning. It can be taught as a stand-alone subject or integrated into other subjects. Whole school approaches are also advocated. [31] [32] Although numerous initiatives have been trialled, as the data shows, these have not been successful. Already overworked teachers have been reluctant to add to their already heavy workloads to research, plan, teach and assess subjects that they know little about. There is competition on already crowded curricula from other more well-known and well-resourced literacies such as financial, health and media literacy.

Research has shown that treating OSH as a literacy and pre-teaching basic OSH literacy skills greatly increases a person's ability to understand, engage and comply with OSH information and training. Thus, decreasing the likelihood that they will have an accident due to poor communications and lack of knowledge and skills. In addition, teaching OSH literacy in the safety of a classroom allows for individuals, who may have difficulty with this literacy, to be identified early so that remedial actions can be taken to safeguard them and others from potential harm and losses. Additionally, those who have gained OSH literacy skills can cascade their new skills and knowledge within their families and communities. [33]

As the data shows, OSH literacy is an essential life-skill literacy for the 21st century. It is applicable anywhere, across all regions, industries, contexts, languages and demographics. It is linked to the United Nations’ Social Development Goals (UN SDGs) 2030, in particular SDGs 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 16 & 17. [34]

In June 2023, The International Standards Organization released Part one (1) of its much anticipated Plain Language Standard (ISO 24495-1:2023 - Plain language — Part 1: Governing principles and guidelines). The ISO Plain Language Standard provides all industry sectors with a set of guidelines and strategies to make information more accessible and effective. The ISO are also responsible for the design and application of OSH signage. The guidelines are applicable across all languages and industries, as is OSH.

In June 2022, the International Labor Conference added Safety and Health to its Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. As a result of this decision, all ILO member states will be required to commit to respect and promote the fundamental right to a safe and healthy working environment, whether or not they have ratified the relevant conventions. [35]

Related Research Articles

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is a regulatory agency of the United States Department of Labor that originally had federal visitorial powers to inspect and examine workplaces. The United States Congress established the agency under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which President Richard M. Nixon signed into law on December 29, 1970. OSHA's mission is to "assure safe and healthy working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance." The agency is also charged with enforcing a variety of whistleblower statutes and regulations. OSHA's workplace safety inspections have been shown to reduce injury rates and injury costs without adverse effects on employment, sales, credit ratings, or firm survival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Work accident</span> Occurrence during work that leads to physical or mental harm

A work accident, workplace accident, occupational accident, or accident at work is a "discrete occurrence in the course of work" leading to physical or mental occupational injury. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), more than 337 million accidents happen on the job each year, resulting, together with occupational diseases, in more than 2.3 million deaths annually.

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) is a decentralised agency of the European Union with the task of collecting, analysing and disseminating relevant information that can serve the needs of businesses, governments and specialists involved in safety and health at work. Set up in 1994 by Council Regulation (EC) No 2062/94 of 18 July 1994, EU-OSHA is based in Bilbao, Spain, where it has a staff of occupational safety and health (OSH), communication and administrative specialists. William Cockburn Salazar is the current Executive Director of EU-OSHA. Council Regulation (EC) No 2062/94 was replaced by Regulation (EU) 2019/126 on 20 February 2019.

Occupational noise is the amount of acoustic energy received by an employee's auditory system when they are working in the industry. Occupational noise, or industrial noise, is often a term used in occupational safety and health, as sustained exposure can cause permanent hearing damage. Occupational noise is considered an occupational hazard traditionally linked to loud industries such as ship-building, mining, railroad work, welding, and construction, but can be present in any workplace where hazardous noise is present.

The permissible exposure limit is a legal limit in the United States for exposure of an employee to a chemical substance or physical agent such as high level noise. Permissible exposure limits were established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Most of OSHA's PELs were issued shortly after adoption of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act in 1970.

An occupational disease or industrial disease is any chronic ailment that occurs as a result of work or occupational activity. It is an aspect of occupational safety and health. An occupational disease is typically identified when it is shown that it is more prevalent in a given body of workers than in the general population, or in other worker populations. The first such disease to be recognised, squamous-cell carcinoma of the scrotum, was identified in chimney sweep boys by Sir Percival Pott in 1775. Occupational hazards that are of a traumatic nature are not considered to be occupational diseases.

Workers' Memorial Day, also known as International Workers' Memorial Day or International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured, takes place annually around the world on April 28, an international day of remembrance and action for workers killed, disabled, injured, or made unwell by their work. In Canada, it is commemorated as the National Day of Mourning.

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is a global organisation for health and safety professionals, based in the UK.

The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), formerly known as American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), is a global organization of occupational safety and health (OSH) professional members who manage, supervise, research and consult on work-related OSH concerns across all industries. Society members use risk-based approaches to prevent workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses.

North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week is an annual celebration that happens during the first full week of May. The aim of the event is to raise awareness about occupational safety, health, and the environment (OSH&E) in order to avoid workplace injuries and illnesses.

Workplace health surveillance or occupational health surveillance (U.S.) is the ongoing systematic collection, analysis, and dissemination of exposure and health data on groups of workers. The Joint ILO/WHO Committee on Occupational Health at its 12th Session in 1995 defined an occupational health surveillance system as "a system which includes a functional capacity for data collection, analysis and dissemination linked to occupational health programmes".

A safety management system (SMS) is a management system designed to manage occupational safety and health risks in the workplace. If the system contains elements of management of longer-term health impacts and occupational disease, it may be referred to as a safety and health management system (SHMS) or health and safety management system.

On June 29, 2008, the XVIII World Congress on Safety and Health at Work signed the Seoul Declaration on Safety and Health at Work. The declaration included statements concerning national governments' responsibility for perpetuating a "national preventive safety and health culture", for improving their national safe-workplace performance systematically, and for providing a health standard with appropriate enforcement to protect workers. The declaration also listed responsibilities of employers, stated the rights of workers, and emphasized the importance of promoting a culture of safety.

An occupational fatality is a death that occurs while a person is at work or performing work related tasks. Occupational fatalities are also commonly called "occupational deaths" or "work-related deaths/fatalities" and can occur in any industry or occupation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Physical hazard</span> Hazard due to a physical agent

A physical hazard is an agent, factor or circumstance that can cause harm with contact. They can be classified as type of occupational hazard or environmental hazard. Physical hazards include ergonomic hazards, radiation, heat and cold stress, vibration hazards, and noise hazards. Engineering controls are often used to mitigate physical hazards.

ANSI Z535 are American-developed standards designed to improve the identification of potential hazards to workers and/or property. The identifications are called Hazardous Communication (HazCom). ANSI Z535 sets the design and application standards for all HazCom used across North America and globally, in most industrialized nations. ANSI Z535 standards integrate with international ISO 3864 standards, ensuring the widest compliance, globally, with export/import laws. ANSI Z535 standardized HazCom may appear on workplace walls, industrial machines, at industrial access points, on electrical controls, inside product user guides, and on export documentation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Occupational safety and health</span> Field concerned with the safety, health and welfare of people at work

Occupational safety and health (OSH) or occupational health and safety (OHS) is a multidisciplinary field concerned with the safety, health, and welfare of people at work. OSH is related to the fields of occupational medicine and occupational hygiene and aligns with workplace health promotion initiatives. OSH also protects all the general public who may be affected by the occupational environment.

A psychosocial hazard or work stressor is any occupational hazard related to the way work is designed, organized and managed, as well as the economic and social contexts of work. Unlike the other three categories of occupational hazard, they do not arise from a physical substance, object, or hazardous energy.

Tanzania has a number of laws and regulations that govern occupational safety and health (OSH) protections for workers. The International Labour Organization reports that due to insufficient statistics and consistent reporting, it is impossible to determine the number of workplace accidents that occur in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Workplace robotics safety</span>

Workplace robotics safety is an aspect of occupational safety and health when robots are used in the workplace. This includes traditional industrial robots as well as emerging technologies such as drone aircraft and wearable robotic exoskeletons. Types of accidents include collisions, crushing, and injuries from mechanical parts. Hazard controls include physical barriers, good work practices, and proper maintenance.

References

  1. 1 2 Ehmann, Anna T.; Ög, Eylem; Rieger, Monika A.; Siegel, Achim (2021-09-22). "Work-Related Health Literacy: A Scoping Review to Clarify the Concept". International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 18 (19): 9945. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18199945 . ISSN   1661-7827. PMC   8507793 . PMID   34639262.
  2. 1 2 3 "OSH (OSHNET)". ASEAN-OSHNET. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
  3. ↑ "KOSHA". KOSHA. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
  4. ↑ "Policy Portal". United Nations. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
  5. ↑ "Occupational Safety and Health". UN Global Compact. Retrieved 2024-10-17.{{cite web}}: Text "UN Global Compact" ignored (help)
  6. ↑ "Occupational safety and health". International Labour Organization. Retrieved 2024-10-17.{{cite web}}: Text "International Labour Organization" ignored (help)
  7. ↑ "9789240000377-eng.pdf". World Health Organisation. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
  8. ↑ "THE 17 GOALS". United Nations. Retrieved 2024-10-17.{{cite web}}: Text "Sustainable Development" ignored (help)
  9. ↑ "Goal 8". United Nations. Retrieved 2024-10-17.{{cite web}}: Text "Department of Economic and Social Affairs" ignored (help)
  10. ↑ "Goal 3". United Nations. Retrieved 2024-10-17.{{cite web}}: Text "Department of Economic and Social Affairs" ignored (help)
  11. ↑ "ISO/IEC Guide 41:2018(en)". www.iso.org. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  12. ↑ Nordin, Shahrina Md; Rizal, Ammar Redza Ahmad; Rashid, Rafidah Abd; Che Omar, Rohayu; Priyadi, Unggul (January 2021). "Incidents and Disaster Avoidance: The Role of Communication Management and the Organizational Communication Climate in High-Risk Environments". Sustainability. 13 (18): 10138. doi: 10.3390/su131810138 . ISSN   2071-1050.
  13. ↑ "ISO 7010:2011". ISO. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  14. ↑ "World Statistic". www.ilo.org. 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  15. ↑ "Occupational Hazards in Organisations: A study on the Role of Communication in Stress Prevention".
  16. ↑ "Young Worker Safety and Health | NIOSH | CDC". www.cdc.gov. 2022-04-15. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  17. ↑ Peng, Lu; Chan, Alan H. S. (2019-02-01). "A meta-analysis of the relationship between ageing and occupational safety and health". Safety Science. 112: 162–172. doi:10.1016/j.ssci.2018.10.030. ISSN   0925-7535. S2CID   116142338.
  18. ↑ "Protecting Migrant Workers" (PDF).
  19. ↑ "StackPath". www.ehstoday.com. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  20. ↑ "Language, literacy and their role in workplace accidents".
  21. ↑ De Jesus-Rivas, Mayra; Conlon, Helen Acree; Burns, Candace (January 2016). "The Impact of Language and Culture Diversity in Occupational Safety". Workplace Health & Safety. 64 (1): 24–27. doi: 10.1177/2165079915607872 . ISSN   2165-0799. PMID   26800895. S2CID   12476103.
  22. ↑ Rauscher, Kimberly J.; Myers, Douglas J. (2014). "Occupational health literacy and work-related injury among U.S. adolescents". International Journal of Injury Control and Safety Promotion. 21 (1): 81–89. doi:10.1080/17457300.2013.792288. ISSN   1745-7319. PMID   23679156. S2CID   3016134.
  23. ↑ "What You Don't Know Can Hurt You: Literacy's Impact on Workplace Health and Safety". LINCS | Adult Education and Literacy | U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved 2022-07-12.
  24. ↑ Ehmann, Anna T.; Ög, Eylem; Rieger, Monika A.; Siegel, Achim (January 2021). "Work-Related Health Literacy: A Scoping Review to Clarify the Concept". International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 18 (19): 9945. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18199945 . ISSN   1660-4601. PMC   8507793 . PMID   34639262.
  25. ↑ Rauscher, Kimberly J.; Myers, Douglas J. (2014-03-01). "Occupational health literacy and work-related injury among US adolescents". International Journal of Injury Control and Safety Promotion. 21 (1): 81–89. doi:10.1080/17457300.2013.792288. ISSN   1745-7300. PMID   23679156. S2CID   3016134.
  26. ↑ "Who We Are - Enetosh". enetosh.net. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  27. ↑ "OSHAfrica Scientific Committee | OSHAfrica" . Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  28. ↑ "Mainstreaming OSH into education | Safety and health at work EU-OSHA". osha.europa.eu. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  29. ↑ "Young Workers - Parents and Educators Can Keep Young Workers Safe | Occupational Safety and Health Administration". www.osha.gov. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  30. ↑ "IOSH OSH education policy position". IOSH. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  31. ↑ "Occupational safety and health and education: a whole school approach" (PDF).
  32. ↑ "Occupational safety and health and education: a whole-school approach | Safety and health at work EU-OSHA". osha.europa.eu. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  33. ↑ "OSH Literacy – A life skill" . Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  34. ↑ "THE 17 GOALS | Sustainable Development". sdgs.un.org. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  35. ↑ "International Labour Conference adds safety and health to Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work". www.ilo.org. 2022-06-10. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
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