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PHS404

Occupational Health & Safety

This course introduces the fundamental principles of occupational health and safety. It explores the basic elements in occupation, including the worker, tools, processes, and work environment, to ensure their proper arrangement for the health and well-being of workers and the environment. The course covers hazard identification, risk assessment, occupational anatomy and physiology, toxicology, and epidemiology of occupational health problems. It also emphasizes prevention and control strategies to improve working conditions and maximize worker output.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
200 hours
Maths
Basic
Content
Theoretical
Practical work
No
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor marked assessments
  • Final examination

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

PHS404 · MODULE 1: CONCEPT OF HEALTH AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Mental Health: This dimension refers to ability to learn and think clearly. A person with good mental health is able to handle day-to-day events and obstacles, worktowards important goals, and function effectively in society.

What you should be able to do

  1. Define and explain the concept of occupational health
  2. State the objectives and principles of occupational health
  3. Explain occupational hazards and their identification
  4. Explain toxicology in relation to the work environment
  5. Explain epidemiology in occupational health
  6. Explain how to prevent occupational health problems and diseases

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Safety Officer
  • Health Inspector
  • Industrial Hygienist
  • Environmental Health Practitioner
  • Occupational Health Nurse
Where it is applied
  • Manufacturing
  • Construction
  • Healthcare
  • Agriculture
  • Mining

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 4: Occupational Anatomy and Physiology

    Unit5: Coordination of Physiological Functions During Work

    Coordination of physiological functions during work requires understanding of complex biological processes and their interactions.

  • Module 5 Occupational Toxicology

    Unit 3 Dose-Response Relationship and its Assessment

    Dose-response relationship and its assessment involves complex concepts of toxicology and statistics.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 78 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1: Concept of Health and Occupational Health
    • Unit 1: Concept of Health · 3 hours

      Define health and its dimensions. Identify determinants of health.

    • Unit 2: Concept and Meaning of Occupation Health · 3 hours

      Explain the meaning of occupational health. Discuss the components of occupational health.

  2. Week 2Module 1: Concept of Health and Occupational Health
    • Unit 3: Aim and Rationale of Occupational Health · 3 hours

      State the aims of occupational health. Explain the rationale for occupational health.

    • Unit 4: Principles of Occupational Health · 3 hours

      Mention key principles of occupational health. Explain basic concepts in occupational health.

  3. Week 3Module 1: Concept of Health and Occupational Health
    • Unit 5: Basic Concepts in Occupational Health · 6 hours

      State and explain basic concepts in occupational health. Explain the interactions in the working environment.

  4. Week 4Module 2: Historical Development of Occupational Health
    • Unit 1: Historical Development of Occupational Health in Ancient Times · 3 hours

      Narrate the historical development of occupational health in ancient times. Explain the historical development of occupational health in England.

    • Unit 2: Historical Development of Occupational Health England · 3 hours

      Explain the historical development of occupational health in England. Describe the historical development of occupational health in USA.

  5. Week 5Module 2: Historical Development of Occupational Health
    • Unit3: Historical Development of Occupational Health in USA · 3 hours

      Describe the historical development of occupational health in USA. Explain the historical development of occupational health in developing countries.

    • Unit4: Historical Development of Occupational Health in Developing countries · 3 hours

      Explain the historical development of occupational health in developing countries. Describe the historical development of occupational health in Nigeria.

  6. Week 6Module 2: Historical Development of Occupational Health
    • Unit5: Historical Development of Occupational Health in Nigeria · 6 hours

      Describe the historical development of occupational health in Nigeria.

  7. Week 7Module 3: Identification of Occupational Hazards
    • Unit1: Concept of Hazard and Occupational Hazard · 3 hours

      Define hazard and occupational hazard. State the purposes of hazard identification.

    • Unit2: Importance and Process of Hazard Identification · 3 hours

      Explain the importance of hazard identification. Describe the process of hazard identification.

  8. Week 8Module 3: Identification of Occupational Hazards
    • Unit3: Classification of Hazards · 6 hours

      State the classification of hazards. Explain physical hazards and their effects.

  9. Week 9Module 4: Occupational Anatomy and Physiology
    • Unit1: Anatomy and Physiology in Occupational Health · 2 hours

      Explain anatomy and physiology in occupational health. Describe muscles and work performance.

    • Unit2: Muscles and Work Performance · 2 hours

      Explain bones, joints and work performance. Describe circulation and respiration during work.

    • Unit3: Bones, Joints and Work Performance · 2 hours

      Explain coordination of physiological functions during work. Describe health status and working capacity.

  10. Week 10Module 4: Occupational Anatomy and Physiology
    • Unit 4: Circulation and Respiration During Work · 3 hours

      Explain the relationship between diet and work. Describe work skill training.

    • Unit5: Coordination of Physiological Functions During Work · 3 hours

      Explain the relationship between age, aptitude and work. Describe work fatigue.

  11. Week 11Module 4: Occupational Anatomy and Physiology
    • Unit6: Health Status and Working Capacity · 6 hours

      Explain the measurement of physical work. Describe oxygen consumption and heart rate.

  12. Week 12Module 5 Occupational Toxicology
    • Unit 1 Meaning of Occupational Toxicology · 3 hours

      Explain the meaning of occupational toxicology. Identify the portal of entry for toxic chemicals.

    • Unit 2 Portal of Entry for Toxic Chemicals · 3 hours

      Explain the dose-response relationship and its assessment. Describe the health effects of toxicology.

  13. Week 13Module 5 Occupational Toxicology
    • Unit 3 Dose-Response Relationship and its Assessment · 3 hours

      Describe the health effects of toxic chemicals. Explain factors influencing toxicity.

    • Unit 4 Health Effects of Toxicology · 3 hours

      Explain first aid for toxic chemicals.

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Review key definitions and concepts from Modules 1 and 2
  • Create a table summarizing different types of occupational hazards (Module 3)
  • Practice applying the hierarchy of controls to specific workplace scenarios (Module 8)
  • Focus on understanding the dose-response relationship in toxicology (Module 5)
  • Study the different types of occupational disorders and their causes (Module 6)

Questions students ask about this course

What is PHS404 about?

This course introduces the fundamental principles of occupational health and safety. It explores the basic elements in occupation, including the worker, tools, processes, and work environment, to ensure their proper arrangement for the health and well-being of workers and the environment. The course covers hazard identification, risk assessment, occupational anatomy and physiology, toxicology, and epidemiology of occupational health problems. It also emphasizes prevention and control strategies to improve working conditions and maximize worker output.

How many units does PHS404 have?

PHS404, Occupational Health & Safety, has 8 units across 8 modules, over 154 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is PHS404?

PHS404 carries 3 credit units, at 400 level in Health Sciences.

Is PHS404 hard?

PHS404 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical work.

How long does PHS404 take to study?

About 200 hours of study, spread across its 8 units.

How is PHS404 assessed?

PHS404 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.

What can I do with PHS404?

Safety Officer, Health Inspector, Industrial Hygienist, Environmental Health Practitioner and Occupational Health Nurse.

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