{"id":3216,"date":"2022-01-29T06:03:02","date_gmt":"2022-01-29T06:03:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websurfaceworld.in\/seoh\/?page_id=3216"},"modified":"2022-04-14T06:05:29","modified_gmt":"2022-04-14T06:05:29","slug":"basic-occupational-health-services","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/seohindia.org\/?page_id=3216","title":{"rendered":"Basic Occupational Health Services"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"3216\" class=\"elementor elementor-3216\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1ff8425 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1ff8425\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-200519b\" data-id=\"200519b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17da8c5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"17da8c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"606\" src=\"https:\/\/seohindia.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2352\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/seohindia.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/1.jpg 681w, https:\/\/seohindia.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/1-300x267.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b448831 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b448831\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Basic Occupational Health Services<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0777dbe elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0777dbe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>1 Introduction<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f1628e2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f1628e2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Of the total 3 billion workers in the world, more than 80% work and live without having access to occupational health services (OHS). This in spite of the fact that several authoritative bodies, including the International Labour Organization (ILO), the World Health Organization (WHO) and numerous professional organizations and the organizations of workers have, already for several decades, emphasized the need for services. The coverage, i.e. the proportion of workers and workplaces with access to services, is today diminishing rather than expanding. The ILO Convention No. 161 on Occupational Health Services and the WHO Global Strategy on Occupational Health for All call for the organization of services to all working people of the world. We are still far from this goal, and it is not likely that the coverage will essentially expand without concerted efforts. To address the new safety and health needs the WHO has launched a new Global Plan of Action on Workers&#8217; Health and the ILO has produced a Global Strategy on Occupational safety and Health and the ILO Convention No. 187 on Promotional Framework.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13a50bc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"13a50bc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The introduction of the concept of Basic Occupational Health Services (BOHS) has its roots in the WHO Alma Ata Declaration from the year 1978, which spells in article VI: &#8220;Primary health care is essential health care based on practical, scientifically sound and socially acceptable methods&#8230;&#8230;It is the first level of contact of individuals, the family and community with the national health system bringing health care as close as possible to where people live and work&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;.&#8221;.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6171ef0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6171ef0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">As the previous health policies were primarily focused on developing hospital infrastructures, the Alma Ata policy with the WHO Health for All Strategy has shifted the priority to the organization of primary health care services for large populations throughout the world. The health impact of this policy shift cannot be over-estimated. It has made the health services accessible to people in villages and remote areas, and to poor people, i.e. to all those who have been traditionally underserved.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c54cf16 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c54cf16\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The BOHS are an application of the Alma Ata principles in occupational health. It is an effort to provide access to occupational health services to the so far underserved majority of the workers of the world. The BOHS are simultaneously a way to the development of occupational health services to the level required by the ILO Conventions Nos. 161 and 155.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cbf6f4d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cbf6f4d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The globalization changes the economic structures and conditions of work substantially in virtually each workplace of the world. The need for occupational health services increases rather than declines. The needs for the services change also qualitatively, and become more versatile, more difficult to organize and the served groups become more dynamic and mobile, the workplaces more unstable, and the jobs more precarious and temporary.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e309bfd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e309bfd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">These trends set special demands to the provision of occupational health services in terms of their structure, contents and methods. Although the ultimate objective is to provide OHS which correspond to the level defined in the ILO Convention No. 161, the underserved sectors need a starting point which opens the way to such development.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c93e3dc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c93e3dc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">This publication is a third edition of the guideline produced with the support of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH), WHO, ILO and International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH). It is a basic guideline in the series of new tools for the implementation of the decision of the Joint ILO\/WHO Committee on Occupational Health to develop Basic Occupational Health Services in collaboration with the International Commission on Occupational Health, ICOH, and as a joint priority during the 5- year period 2004\u20132008. This guideline has been commented by Dr. Gerry Eijkemans, WHO, Dr. Jukka Takala, Dr. Igor Fedotov and Dr. Shengli Niu, ILO, as well as Dr. Kari Kurppa, FIOH.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-809b835 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"809b835\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The guideline will be followed by a number of short practical guides (toolboxes) for various technical activities of the BOHS (see Figure 4 on page 11).<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-badc05e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"badc05e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2 Policy and mission of BOHS<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9204bf5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9204bf5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2.1 Strategy background of BOHS<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c0af7dd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c0af7dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">More than half of the world population belong to the global workforce. Health, safety, work ability and well-being of every worker are a key issue for the overall socioeconomic development of each country. Health at work and healthy work environments are among the most valuable assets of individuals, communities and countries. Occupational health is an important strategy not only to ensure the health of workers, but also to contribute positively to the national economies through improved productivity, quality of products, work motivation, job satisfaction, and to contribute also to the overall quality of life of working people and society.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b4c0231 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b4c0231\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The overall strategic paradigm for BOHS is presented in Figure 1.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d6d3a5f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d6d3a5f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"372\" height=\"251\" src=\"https:\/\/seohindia.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2354\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/seohindia.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2.jpg 372w, https:\/\/seohindia.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2-300x202.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 372px) 100vw, 372px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6614640 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6614640\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><i><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Figure 1. The WHO and ILO Global Strategy for Basic Occupational Health Services<\/span> <\/i><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-79cd0d9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"79cd0d9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Both the WHO Global Strategy on Occupational Health, WHO Global Plan of Action on Workers&#8217; Health, the ILO Global Strategy on Occupational Safety and Health, and the ILO Convention No. 187 on Promotional Framework define as an important objective the strengthening of occupational health services, expanding their coverage, and improving their content and activities. Training of occupational health personnel, organizing support services and providing a research basis and standards for OHS are the most important means to achieve that goal. To meet these objectives for the whole global workforce the BOHS initiative was made.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-098f5a2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"098f5a2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2.2 Concept and objectives of BOHS<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-895ecbf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"895ecbf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The Basic Occupational Health Services are an essential service for the protection of people&#8217;s health at work, for promotion of health, well-being and work ability, as well as for prevention of ill-health and accidents. The BOHS provide services by using scientifically sound and socially acceptable occupational health methods through primary health care approach.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-657f35c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"657f35c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The objective of Basic Occupational Health Services is to ensure the provision of services for all workplaces in the world (in both industrialized and developing countries) which so far have not had such services available or the services have not met their occupational health needs. The BOHS are an effort to provide occupational health services available to each and every working individual in the world irrespective of sector of economy, size of company, geographical area, or nature of employment contract.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-af50a28 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"af50a28\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The following principles will be applied in the organization of Basic Occupational<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Health Services:<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9c6c74a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9c6c74a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n \t<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Available to all working people<\/span><\/li>\n \t<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Addressing to local needs <\/span><\/li>\n \t<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Adapted to local conditions<\/span><\/li>\n \t<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Organized by the employer for employees<\/span><\/li>\n \t<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Affordable to providers and clients<\/span><\/li>\n \t<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Provided by the public sector for the self-employed and the in <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">formal sector <\/span><\/li>\n \t<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Supported by intermediate level services<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e6cd89a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e6cd89a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">3 BOHS system and infrastructures<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63296a3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"63296a3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">3.1 Stepwise development of the OHS system<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e0283cc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e0283cc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">As described above, a majority of the workers in the world live without access to OHS. Many responsible decision makers find a high threshold in starting the establishment of infrastructures for OHS as there may be many other competing priorities. On the other hand, every worker is entitled to a safe and healthy work and work environment. The countries which have developed well-working OHS have found it beneficial, not only from the health point of view, but also for the promotion of work ability, productivity and thereby also the economy of the workers, companies and nations.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1cefb73 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1cefb73\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">In order to gain such benefits from OHS the relevance, competence and quality of services need to be ensured. In other words, the OHS need to respond to the real needs of the workers and enterprises. And the activities need to be adjusted to the national and local circumstances, without compromising the real content of OHS. In the primary health care (PHC) services, the PHC worker needs to know what the communicable disease is he or she is dealing with, and what the methods of choice are to prevent and control the disease. Also the OHS staff need to know the most important occupational health hazards and their origin, nature and means for prevention. This implies that OHS cannot be provided without at least a minimum amount of special training in OHS substance and methods.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b4c11a9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b4c11a9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">To get the OHS developed, a stepwise strategy is recommended. Every country should analyse its prevailing situation in OHS. On the basis of such an analysis, a national strategy and action programme need to be drawn up. Different geographical areas or different sectors of economy may have a very different situation in the OHS development. Well-organized industries may have an excellent service, while the neighbouring informal sector or small enterprises may have no services at all. The actions should be adjusted to these differences without, however, compromising the real content of OHS.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c7cc70d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c7cc70d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Thus, depending on the situation, the development steps may be started from different levels. The development stages of OHS are divided into four steps, starting from the very initial one and continuing to more developed stages of OHS.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b595458 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b595458\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"594\" height=\"473\" src=\"https:\/\/seohindia.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/3.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-2355\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/seohindia.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/3.jpg 594w, https:\/\/seohindia.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/3-300x239.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe346f1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fe346f1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Stage I: Starting level<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c462691 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c462691\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">To the workers and workplaces, which do not have any OHS at all, this is a reasonable starting point. The stage is planned to lower the threshold for initiation as much as possible and still preserve the OHS competence and content. This is the service utilizing field OHS workers (if possible, a nurse and safety agent), who have a short training in OHS and who work for a primary health care unit or a respective grassroots level facility. The content of the service focuses on accident risks, heavy physical work, basic sanitation and hygiene, and on the most hazardous chemical, physical and biological factors (including HIV\/AIDS). Advising the clients to seek help from expert services constitutes an important part of the service.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b7c144 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1b7c144\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Stage II: Basic Occupational Health Services (BOHS)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec934c6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ec934c6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">This is the infrastructure-based service working as close as possible to the workplaces and communities. The service provision model may vary depending on the local circumstances and needs (see page 17). The personnel, usually a physician and a nurse, have a short training (some 10 weeks) in occupational health. They would benefit from the support of a safety expert who is competent in accident prevention and basic safety. The content of services is described in this leaflet and the associated practical guides (toolboxes).<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c1261f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0c1261f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong>Stage III: International Standard Service<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-299d799 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"299d799\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">This level is the minimum objective for each country as stipulated by the ILO Convention No. 161. The service infrastructure has several optional forms and the content is primarily preventive, although also curative services may be appropriately provided. The service staff should be led by a specially trained expert (usually an occupational health physician) and the team should preferably be multidisciplinary or the multidisciplinary content of the service should be ensured with appropriate support services from specialized units (such as an institute of occupational health)<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c31da9c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c31da9c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Stage IV: Comprehensive Occupational Health Services (COHS)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-82b31cd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"82b31cd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">This level is usually found in the big companies of industrialized countries or it may be provided by large OHS centres providing services for high numbers of various types of client companies. The staff works as a multidisciplinary team often including several specialists like specialist physician, occupational health nurse, occupational hygienist, ergonomist, psychologist, safety engineer, etc. The content of services is comprehensive covering prevention, curative services, health promotion, promotion of work ability, and development of healthy work organizations.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-600f164 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"600f164\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The Stages I and II are primarily designed for the smallest and micro-enterprises, the self-employed and the informal sector which have no possibilities to start immediately from the International Standard level three. Big industries and well organized SMEs should, however, always start to establish the level three services and that level should be the minimum objective for each country and each workplace in the long term as stipulated by the ILO Conventions Nos. 161 and 155.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e44a560 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e44a560\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">3.2 BOHS as a part of an integrated OSH infrastructure<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-511173a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"511173a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The BOHS are an application of the Primary Health Care policy in the sector of occu\ufffepational health. A wide and sustainable coverage of services cannot be achieved without BOHS infrastructure. The BOHS are a part of the overall occupational safety and health 10 (OSH) infrastructure. The OSH infrastructure is called the OSH system. The current ILO trend is to promote an integrated OSH system. A model integrated system with numerous possibilities for national and local modifications looks like the following:<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c4f20ae elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c4f20ae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"549\" height=\"394\" src=\"https:\/\/seohindia.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/4.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-2356\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/seohindia.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/4.jpg 549w, https:\/\/seohindia.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/4-300x215.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 549px) 100vw, 549px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d5ac948 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d5ac948\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The overall national system for health services and for occupational safety and health determines the organizational form of the BOHS infrastructure system. BOHS are a part of that interaction either organizationally or functionally. For example, the role of the health administrator becomes more prominent if the occupational health services belong to the Ministry of Health. The key issue is not the form but the availability and functionality of the system so that the health and safety needs of working people in all sectors and every workplace are adequately addressed.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6208e8e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6208e8e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The infrastructure of BOHS has the following characteristics:<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f094888 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f094888\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ol>\n \t<li>Constitutes a part of integrated infrastructure for health and safety<\/li>\n \t<li>Can be carried out by several types of service units <\/li>\n \t<li>Collaborates with and takes support from primary health care <\/li>\n \t<li>Collaborates with safety services <\/li>\n \t<li>Specially tuned to serve the small and underserved workplaces<\/li>\n<\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5644af8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5644af8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4 Activities and content of BOHS<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f4d956a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f4d956a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">In several international guidelines it has been emphasized that OHS should be multidisciplinary and address to, not only health, but also safety, ergonomic, psychosocial, organizational and technical aspects of work and working conditions. Qualitatively the scope of activities of BOHS follow this principle, but as the available resources often are a physician and nurse only, the multidisciplinary content needs to be achieved with the help of adequate training of the BOHS personnel and, if possible, with the support services. The model content of BOHS is described in Figure 4.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0948715 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0948715\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"542\" height=\"431\" src=\"https:\/\/seohindia.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/5.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-2357\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/seohindia.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/5.jpg 542w, https:\/\/seohindia.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/5-300x239.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 542px) 100vw, 542px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b767629 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b767629\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The BOHS cycle follows the conventional action model: identification of needs \u2015&gt; assessment of problems \u2015&gt; management of actions \u2015&gt; evaluation of effect \u2015&gt; revision of the programme. The various steps indicated in Figure 4 have a dual target: the work environment-oriented activities (outside the action cycle) or the worker-oriented activities (inside the action cycle), and often both simultaneously. It is important to see BOHS as a functional process instead of a number of separate actions. The key steps in the process are described below and each step will be specifically guided by a guideline.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bec17c0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bec17c0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4.1 Orientation and planning<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-46f5649 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"46f5649\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">If occupational health services have not been previously provided or when new occupational health service staff members are recruited, a preliminary orientation to the occupational safety and health situation of the enterprise is needed. This step provides information on what kind of client workplaces (e.g. agricultural, industrial, services) and 12 worker groups (e.g. manual workers, office workers, construction workers) the services are dealing with.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-62f2e33 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"62f2e33\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">This involves the following steps:<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6f6a5c9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6f6a5c9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ol>\n \t<li>Analysis of the type of production indicating the risks and problems typical of the branch or occupation in concern<\/li>\n \t<li>Review of problems that have been identified previously in the company<\/li>\n \t<li>Review of the characteristics of the workforce of the company<\/li>\n \t<li>Available data on occupational diseases and accidents <\/li>\n \t<li>Data on working methods, chemical substances, etc. <\/li>\n \t<li>The knowledge by employers and employees of occupational health problems<\/li>\n \t<li>Plans for changes in production systems, e.g. installation of new facilities, machinery and equipment <\/li>\n<\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a774215 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a774215\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Such orientation helps to decide the types of activities need to be planned in more detail.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1606f5b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1606f5b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">4.2 Surveillance of the work environment<\/span> <\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-59bc73d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"59bc73d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The surveillance of the work environment is one of the key activities of BOHS. It is carried out for the identification of hazardous exposures and other conditions of work, identification of exposed workers, and assessment of the levels of exposures for various groups of workers. At best, surveillance is made by regular walk-through surveys by a multidisciplinary occupational health team supplemented by employers&#8217; and workers&#8217; representatives. In smaller companies it may be done by the occupational health personnel alone together with the representatives of workers and the employer.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9d3f95a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9d3f95a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The survey may contain:<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1704f9a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1704f9a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4.2 Surveillance of the work environment<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c01f90 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0c01f90\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ol>\n \t<li>Identification and evaluation of ergonomic factors which may affect the workers&#8217; health <\/li>\n \t<li>Assessment of conditions of occupational hygiene and factors, such as physical, chemical, and biological exposures which may generate risks to the health of workers <\/li>\n \t<li>Assessment, where appropriate, of exposure of workers to adverse psychological factors and aspects of work organization<\/li>\n \t<li>Assessment of risk of occupational accidents and major hazards <\/li>\n \t<li>Assessment of collective and personal protective equipment <\/li>\n \t<li>Assessment of control systems designed to eliminate, prevent or reduce exposure <\/li>\n \t<li>Assessment of general hygiene and sanitary facilities<\/li>\n<\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9092951 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9092951\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4.3 Surveillance of workers' health<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e8ca54 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3e8ca54\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The surveillance of workers&#8217; health is made through various types of health examinations. The main purpose of health examinations is to assess the suitability of a worker to carry out certain jobs, to assess any health impairment which may be related to the exposure to harmful agents inherent in the work process, and to identify cases of occupational diseases which may have resulted from exposure at work. They are also used to check the ultimate effect of preventive actions and, for example, for assessing work ability of workers. Health examinations may also help in making observations on early effects, which have not yet developed a disease.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a40b781 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a40b781\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Numerous guidelines are available for health examinations, their methodology, conclusions and actions on the basis of results, and communication of information to various parties taking into consideration the confidentiality of personal health data. Health examinations should always be combined with the knowledge of workers&#8217; exposures. If adverse health effects are observed, preventive and control actions should be immediately initiated.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-67e9e9f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"67e9e9f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The following types of health examinations are carried out either on the basis of regulations or as a part of good occupational health practice:<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d2372a2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d2372a2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Pre-assignment (pre-employment) health examinations <\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Periodic health examinations <\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Return to work health examinations <\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">General health examinations <\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Health examinations at termination or after ending of service<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-32909f0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"32909f0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">A new type of health examination has recently been introduced for assessment of work ability of ageing workers.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f3a8d62 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f3a8d62\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4.4 Assessment of health and safety risks<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c4de440 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c4de440\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Information from the surveillance of the work environment is combined with the information from health surveillance, and information from other relevant sources, and all these data are used for risk assessment.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3bc2d61 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3bc2d61\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The steps in an occupational health risk assessment include:<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0d64e1e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0d64e1e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ol><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Identification of occupational health hazards (as a result of surveillances) <\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"> Identification of workers or groups of workers exposed to specific hazards <\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Analysis of how the hazard may affect the worker (ways of entry and type of exposure, threshold limit values, dosage\/ response relationships, adverse health effects it may cause, etc.) <\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Determination of intensity (level) and magnitude (volume) of risk <\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Identification of individuals and groups with special vulnerabilities<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Evaluation of available hazard prevention and control measures <\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Making conclusions and recommendations for the management and control of risks <\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Documenting the findings of the assessment <\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Periodic review and, if necessary, reassessment of risks <\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The results of risk assessment must be documented.<\/span><\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-20f6482 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"20f6482\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4.5 Information and education on risks and advice on the need for preventive and control actions<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-764b9cb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"764b9cb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Surveillance and risk assessment constitute the basis for risk management. Information on identified workplace health hazards and risks must be communicated to the managers responsible for implementing prevention and control measures. Legislation also requires full information to the workers on risks and on methods for protection and on avoidance of risks. The national law and practice may also require appropriate information to the Occupational Safety and Health Committee and, often in case of severe risks, to occupational safety and health authorities. In informing on health conditions of individual workers the regulations on protection of confidential data and on informed consent must be observed.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e1f27d6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e1f27d6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">To ensure proper understanding and use of information concerning special risks the employer is responsible for education of his\/her workers on risks and hazards at work and on their avoidance, prevention and protection, as well as on safe work practices.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6b3a4bf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6b3a4bf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Such information and education tasks are often delegated to occupational health experts. The information and education include the following aspects:<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-552a23b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"552a23b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ol><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The employer and the self-employed have an obligation to know the hazards of the workplace and works in concern.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The workers have a right to know and get continuously information on hazards related to their own work and the workplace.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The employer is responsible for training the workers on safe and healthy work practices.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The workers have a duty to follow the safety instructions and safe and healthy work practices.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Confidential health information of an individual worker is subject to special legislation and practices and to informed consent.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The advice provided by OHS personnel must be given in a form which is easily understood by employers and workers.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Information given to various partners should be documented.<\/span><\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1769d45 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1769d45\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Preventive actions for the management and control of health and \nsafety hazards and risks<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ecc46d5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ecc46d5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Occupational health services should propose, initiate and advise on appropriate preventive and control measures for the elimination of hazardous exposures and for protecting workers&#8217; health (risk management actions). Where appropriate, the measures are recommended after consulting the enterprise management, employers, workers or their representatives. Recommendations must be documented.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Control measures should be adequate to prevent unnecessary exposure during normal operating conditions, as well as during possible accidents and emergencies. Planned modifications in the work processes should also be taken into account and recommendations should be adaptable to the future needs. In many countries, the use of best available technology for safety management is required by legislation. The overriding principle of occupational health and safety is the primary prevention of hazards and risks.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Numerous guidelines for occupational health and safety management systems provide a practical approach for such actions. It is important to document the proposed recommendations so that their implementation can be followed up. Such documentation should emphasize the responsibility of the management for preventive and control actions at the enterprise, and collaboration between the employers and workers.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The risk management actions may comprise:<\/span><\/p><ul><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Control of hazards at the source<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Ventilation or control technology<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Dust control<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Ergonomic measures<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Use of personal protective equipment<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Regulation of thermal conditions, etc.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5425a95 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5425a95\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4.7 Prevention of accidents<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f138629 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f138629\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Accidental injuries are one of the most common adverse health outcomes at work. BOHS have a role to play in accident prevention in several different ways:<\/span><\/p><ul><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Accident risk is identified and assessed in the surveillance of the work environment<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Several factors in the work environment may aggravate accident risk, such as exposure to chemicals, haste and stress, and shift work.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The health aspects of the worker may affect accident risk.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Accident risks are managed according to the same logic as other risks at work: identification of risks, assessment of the magnitude of risk, identification of exposed workers and planning and proposing preventive and control measures. The practical methods for accident risk control or elimination are, for example:<\/span><\/p><ol><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Safe planning of facilities, machinery, etc.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Good housekeeping, order and cleanliness<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Making walkways and other structures safe (e.g. scaffolds, fences)<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Guarding dangerous machines<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Technical aids for moving and lifting heavy loads<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Safe tools and safety equipment for workers<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Analysis of major hazard risks and provision of &#8220;redundant safety&#8221;<\/span><\/li><\/ol><p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Dozens of sector- or work-specific checklists and guidelines are available for the identification and management of accident risks in various works. These guidelines also include methods for risk elimination, prevention or reduction, and methods for the analysis and control of major hazards.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0ab539a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0ab539a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4.8 Maintaining preparedness to first aid and participation in emergency \npreparedness<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-606708c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"606708c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Capacity and readiness to first aid is a legislation-based activity of OHS in most countries. The BOHS personnel need to be able to provide first aid and train the workplace personnel in first aid activities. The BOHS should also periodically control the availability and condition of first aid facilities and equipment at the workplace.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Although the BOHS are not primarily responsible for major hazard preparedness, the occupational health experts need to participate in the building up of emergency preparedness, to ensure appropriate planning, training, equipment, first aid and other emergency resources and contacts with the emergency polyclinics and hospitals, as well as with the rescue teams.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The role of BOHS in first aid and emergency preparedness is:<\/span><\/p><ol><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Providing first aid services at the workplace when appropriate<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Introducing and training first aid practices to workers and supervisors<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Maintaining and periodically inspecting the first aid readiness and facilities<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Participating from the health point of view in emergency planning and organizing the health elements in emergency response<\/span><\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-62d1121 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"62d1121\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4.9 Diagnosis of occupational and work-related diseases<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9c85d13 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9c85d13\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Occupational diseases are diseases caused by work (physical, chemical, biological, er\ufffegonomic and other factors). In many countries there are official lists of occupational diseases, including lists of factors which may cause such diseases. ILO guides the coun- 17 tries by the Recommendation No. 194: List of Occupational Diseases Recommendation, 2002.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Occupational diseases may be detected in connection of health examinations, in diagnosis and treatment of general diseases or on symptoms presented by the worker him\/herself. Many occupational diseases can be diagnosed in the BOHS service but many of them need to be referred to specialized occupational medicine clinics. In both instances, the diagnostics follows a special scheme:<\/span><\/p><ol><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Identification of exposure which may cause the disease<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Examination of clinical findings which are known to be associated with the specific exposure (lists of occupational diseases)<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Exclusion of non-occupational factors as a possible cause of disease<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Conclusion on existence or non-existence of occupational disease (diagnosis)<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Statement on occupational disease for workmen&#8217;s compensation<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Proposals for preventive actions to the workplace of the worker in concern<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Notification of occupational diseases to authorities<\/span><\/li><\/ol><p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The concept of Work-related disease (WHO 1985) is wider than that of an occupational disease. It includes:<\/span><\/p><ul><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Diseases in which the work or working conditions constitute the principal causal factor<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Diseases for which the occupational factor may be one of several causal agents, or the occupational factor may trigger, aggravate or worsen the disease<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Diseases for which the risk may be increased by work or work-determined lifestyles.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The diagnosis of work-related diseases does not have a definitive legal status in terms of compensation, but it may have an important impact on preventive and control measures. The prevention of work-related diseases often comprises actions towards work, work environment and individual health characteristics of the worker.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c9d92e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8c9d92e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4.10 General health care, curative and rehabilitation services<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a2ae07 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2a2ae07\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">BOHS personnel may provide general preventive health services by providing immunizations and by guiding preventive and health promotion activities to introduce healthy lifestyles.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Besides the diagnosis of diseases, BOHS services may be involved in the treatment and rehabilitation of occupational and work-related injuries and diseases. The knowledge of occupational diseases and injuries coupled with the knowledge of the job demands, hazards of the work environment and occupational exposures present in the workplace en\ufffeable the occupational health professionals to play a key role in the management of work-related health problems and in rehabilitation. Ageing workers, pregnant women, 18 adolescents and other vulnerable groups have special needs for the adjustment of work and the workplace to the worker. A special activity is focused on the workers returning to work after an injury or a long sick leave.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">In some countries, occupational health services provide ambulatory general health services (usually at general practitioner (GP) level) during working hours. Certain benefits from such services are found in providing quick service to workers and thus saving working time and also in combining the information on occupational health, working conditions and general health of workers. This is necessary, for example, in the promotion and maintenance of work ability of ageing workers. This activity may be fully integrated with BOHS if the occupational health services are provided by primary health care units.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Where appropriate, the BOHS may include:<\/span><\/p><ol><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Immunizations and other preventive measures<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Participation in public health actions and programmes<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">GP-level general health services<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Inspection and advice on canteens, sanitary facilities<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Advice and education in general personal and community hygiene<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Actions for rehabilitation and adjustment of work for workers after injuries, diseases, reduced work ability and on return to work from long sick leaves<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">General health promotion and introduction of healthy lifestyles<\/span><\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ff22c8b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ff22c8b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4.11 Record keeping by BOHS<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c2206b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8c2206b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">As a health service BOHS have a general obligation to keep record on health services provided to the workers, on exposures detected or measured, and on all events dealing with the health of individual workers, or health and safety aspects of the workplace.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">In occupational health there are several record-keeping obligations, such as:<\/span><\/p><ol><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">General health record, if the workers are treated as patients or health service clients<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Data on surveyed, detected and measured occupational exposures and risk assessments made<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Statistics on occupational diseases and injuries<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Data on health examinations<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Documents on proposals for preventive and control measures<\/span><\/li><\/ol><p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">In many countries special legal provisions are given for recording, organizing, maintain\u0002ing and protecting confidential personal health data.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5638724 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5638724\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4.12 Evaluation<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-89442ea elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"89442ea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">To learn from the experience and to undertake measures which may be needed for the improvement of services the BOHS should periodically make a self-evaluation on its own activities and their effectiveness in the prevention of health and safety hazards and in the provision of services to working people. The recorded data, collected in BOHS activities, should be used for such an evaluation. The evaluation result should be documented and presented to the employers&#8217; and workers&#8217; representatives.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The following items are considered in evaluation:<\/span><\/p><ol><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Evaluation is carried out as an inbuilt part of BOHS activity, at least annually<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Evaluation is made when the working methods, production structures or other aspects at work are substantially changed<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Evaluation is made if the methods or conditions of operation of services are substantially changed<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The following questions are answered through evaluation:<\/span><ul><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Do the services respond to the needs of the workplace?<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Are the activities directed to priority problems?<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Is good occupational health practice followed?<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Are the resources, human and technical, sufficient?<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Are the services effective in elimination of health problems?<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">What can be improved?<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ol><p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The evaluation should support continuous improvement of BOHS activities and give input to re-planning and, if needed, re-orientation of services.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cadcd82 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cadcd82\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">5 Provision of BOHS<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-12750ca elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"12750ca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">In general, numerous models for the provision of occupational health services are available:<\/span><\/p><ul><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Primary health services model<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Big company model with in-company services<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Group services organized jointly, e.g. by several SMEs<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Social security institution as a service provider<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Private physician who has special competence in occupational health<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Private health centre either providing occupational health services only or occupational health as a part of its services<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Local or regional outpatient clinic of hospitals<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The clients for BOHS are mainly the SMEs and the self-employed, as well as farmers and the workers in the informal sector. This excludes the use of some models either for 20 structural (scattered distribution) or economic (affordability) reasons. The widest coverage of services is possible to achieve through primary health services unit model. In the countries where the public primary health care units provide BOHS for SMEs and the self-employed, they may cover a substantial proportion of the total occupational health service provision in the country. Often they are in practice the only option to cover the informal sector. The social security institutions organize occupational health services in some countries. The coverage is there defined by the coverage of insurance and the noninsured are not covered. In some countries, the hospital outpatient clinics provide publicly funded occupational health services for the SMEs and other underserved groups. In some countries trade unions have organized OHS for their members.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">As the competence of the frontline BOHS is not sufficient to ensure solution of all the problems of practical occupational health and safety, the governments should consider organizing the necessary secondary level support services which provide specialized analytical, measurement and consultation services to BOHS providers, including clinical services in occupational medicine, psychological services etc. and training in occupational hygiene for the BOHS personnel, and for employers and workers.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-200f1ff elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"200f1ff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">6 Human resources for BOHS<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70110c8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"70110c8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">In the optimal case, the occupational health services will be provided by a multidisciplinary team (comprising a physician, nurse, occupational hygienist, ergonomist and psychologist). Such a resource is not possible to organize for most of the small service provision units and particularly for the SMEs, rural agricultural and informal sectors. The service provision needs to be trusted to a physician and a nurse who may not always have specialty in occupational health.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">In many industrialized countries, the basic training curricula for physicians and nurses contain a short introductory course in occupational health. Such an element should be included in curricula in all countries. While larger units may have a possibility to hire occupational health specialists, most of the BOHS will be provided by non-specialists, primary health care personnel, or general practitioners. It is, however, not possible to provide competent occupational health services without special training in occupational health. Therefore, it is vitally important that even the non-specialists have a certain minimum training in occupational health services. In some countries, a well-designed post-graduate course of 10 weeks supplemented with a certain amount of self-studies is considered as a reasonable minimum. Periodic complementary education is also needed.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The quantitative need for OHS personnel in BOHS is not easy to estimate as the structures of constituents and their needs may vary widely. An experience-based estimate speaks for a minimum need of one physician and two nurses per 5000 workers with a great variation depending on the branch of industry and size of workplaces, as well as on their geographical distribution. The public authorities are responsible for ensuring that such a resource is available and its competence is regularly updated in every country.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">As indicated in Figure 2, the starting level should have a minimum of a field nurse with short training in OHS and preferably a safety agent who knows the basic elements of safety. The BOHS level should have a physician and a nurse, who work for either a 21 PHC unit or for other facility (infrastructure) and have a short special course in OHS. The levels III and IV are run by experts with specialist training.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e2c629 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1e2c629\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">7 Financing<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-79454a2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"79454a2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">According to the ILO Convention No. 161 on Occupational Health Services, the financial responsibility for the provision of occupational health services rests on the employer. As the ability of the SMEs and the self-employed, and particularly the informal sector enterprises and workers, to buy external services is poor or non-existent, often the only possibility to provide services is the provision of BOHS by the public sector, i.e. the primary health care units, public polyclinics or by social security organizations. In some countries, special external OHS are well developed and the OHS units can provide services through the market mechanism to all enterprises and workplaces that wish to get them. Even in such a model the ability of the underserved sector to buy services needs to be ensured through some kind of financial support. Irrespective of the service provision model it is realistic to assume that the need for subsidizing of services for SMEs and the self-employed, agricultural and informal sectors is substantial, amounting to 50\u2013100%. Innovative models for combining public, community and workplace resources have been experimented and the lessons should be distributed to the countries. Occupational health is not only a financial burden for enterprises; there is evidence speaking for the positive economic impact of well-organized occupational health services.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Where accident insurance is available, the premium policy should be used as an incentive for the organization of occupational health and safety services.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a6afe9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2a6afe9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">8 Actors in the organization and development of BOHS<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4cb3be3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4cb3be3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The overall responsibility to ensure occupational health services for all working people belongs to the Government. In well-organized sectors the employer is responsible for the organization and financing of services. The Government&#8217;s competent authority controls the compliance of employers according to national law and practice.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The clients of BOHS are often heterogeneous, scattered, poorly organized and poor in resources. A major part of them do not have an employer-employee relationship as they are self-employees. The only party with an overall view is the public sector, government&#8217;s occupational health and safety, health or social security authority (often Ministry of Labour or Ministry of Health).<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">In the absence of an employer, the responsibility for the organization of services rests on the Government or other bodies of the public sector. The organization of services requires several other actors, who vary according to the sector and the target group. In addition to the government&#8217;s competent authority, the following partners can contribute to and should be involved in the activity, when appropriate:<\/span><\/p><ul><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Government&#8217;s special agencies in occupational safety and health and in the health sector<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Provincial and local municipal authorities<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Social partners, employers&#8217; organizations and trade unions<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Branch organizations and chambers of commerce<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Associations of agricultural producers and small enterprises<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Associations of occupational health professionals<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Safety representatives of local workplaces and communities<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Industry<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Universities and other training institutions for training support<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3 style=\"font-size: 20px; color: #000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">References<\/span><\/strong><\/h3><ol><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Alli BO. Fundamental principles of occupational health and safety. International Labour Office, Geneva 2001. 154 p.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Basic Occupational Health Services (BOHS). Working Paper for the Joint ILO\/WHO Committee on Occupational Health, 9\u201312 December 2003. Geneva<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Global Plan of Action on Workers&#8217; Health. Endorsed by the World Health Assembly in May 2007. Geneva 2007.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Global Strategy on Occupational Health for All. The Way to Health at Work. World Health Organization, Geneva 1995.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">ILO Global Strategy on Occupational Safety and Health. International Labour Office. Geneva 2003.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">International Labour Conference. Convention concerning Occupational Health Services. Convention No. 161. International Labour Office, Geneva 1985.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">International Labour Conference. Convention No. 187 on Promotional Framework. International Labour Office. Geneva 2006.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">International Labour Conference. Recommendation concerning Occupational Health Services. Recommendation No. 171. International Labour Office, Geneva 1985.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">International Labour Organization. Recommendation No. 194 List of Occupational Diseases Recommendation. International Labour Office, Geneva 2002.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Rantanen J, Lehtinen S, Mikheev M (eds). Health protection and health promotion in small-scale enterprises. Proceedings of the Joint WHO\/ILO Task Group 1\u20133 November 1993. World Health Organization, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland 1994. 178 p.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">World Health Organization. Identification and control of work-related diseases. Technical report series 714. WHO, Geneva 1985:1\u201371.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">www.icohweb.org<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">www.ilo.org\/safework<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">www.who.int\/oeh<\/span><\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Basic Occupational Health Services 1 Introduction Of the total 3 billion workers in the world, more than 80% work and live without having access to occupational health services (OHS). This in spite of the fact that several authoritative bodies, including the International Labour Organization (ILO), the World Health Organization (WHO) and numerous professional organizations and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":1898,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3216","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/seohindia.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3216"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/seohindia.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/seohindia.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seohindia.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seohindia.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3216"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/seohindia.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3216\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seohindia.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1898"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/seohindia.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3216"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}