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Work and Environmental Health - Coggle Diagram
Work and Environmental Health
Link between Environmental hazard exposure and occupation
Overlap of policy for OHS and Enviro
OSH norms that protect workers could also have positive spillover effects on the natural environment, whereas environmental norms could provide protection for workers, particularly because of workers’ proximity to sources of environmental harm.
Environmental legislation offers some protection, though not quite equivalent, for workers where the (effective) reach of occupational safety and health legislation stops.
Workers rights may aid in environmental protection when exercised
List of rights
Individual rights:
Right to be protected from environmentally harmful activities,
Right to training,
Right to report or a right to refuse to carry out activities that damage the environment or breach environmental standards,
Right to whistleblower protection
Collective rights:
Right to information and to consultation within companies
Right to participation in environmental decision-making more broadly
Found in NEMA
Chapter 1
The right of workers to refuse work that is harmful to human health or the environment and to be informed of dangers must be respected and protected
Chapter 7
Environmental Hazards, Access to information
and protection of whistleblowers
Exposure pathways from work environment to domestic environment
OHSA does mention people that are not employed
Section 8(1): Employers are required to provide and maintain a working environment that is safe and without risks to the health of not only employees but also other persons who may be directly affected by their activities. This includes taking necessary steps to prevent risks to health and safety to anyone who might be present in the workplace.
Section 8(2)(e): Specifically mentions that employers must ensure that persons other than employees who may be directly affected by the activities of the business are not exposed to hazards to their health or safety.
Duty to Inform (Section 13):
Employers must ensure that non-employees are adequately informed about the risks to their health and safety that may arise from workplace activities.
Control of Hazardous Substances (Section 15):
Employers must ensure that hazardous substances are controlled in such a manner that they do not pose a health risk to anyone, including non-employees.
Nothing on workers families!!
Types of pathways:
Exposure in the home
Home-based productions
generate exposures on-site
battery recyclimg, hairdressing, home sewing (dyes) garage mechanics (solvents).
Non-waged work
Domestic work - exposed to cleaning agents
Ergonomic work - carrying heavy loads (women)
Direct transfer through environmental
media
Air
Vapour, dust, fumes
Contaminates food, water, air
Water
Mine tailings, runoff
Pesticides in water
Mines and tailings - related pollution and unrestored mines
Indirect transfer to home
environment taking toxins home
Residues on PPE, clothing and shoes taken into transport or home environment
Children more at risk due to hand to mouth exposures
Exposures that transfer biologically to
home environment
The work exposure results in a
biological response
Effects in their offspring in the
form of birth defects or transgenerational effect, e.g. EDCs - EPIGENETICS
Sensitization to allergens at work but illness develops away from workplace e.g., vulnerable to water exposure and chronic fungal infections and dermatitis
Exposure Prevention Strategies
Legislation
Address -
Fragmentation
Gaps
Application of legislation that is vague
Enforceability
Reevaluate -
Exposure standards
Optimized for specific climates (PPE in hot climates)
Align with worker protection
Effective Hazard Communication
extended to communities affected by workplace and consumers
Health Surveilance
To detect consequences of workplace exposures in domestic environments
Toxin Reduction at source
Explore alternatives, non-chemical pest management
Community involvement
Align with Environmental Justice
Impact on climate change and environmental degradation information - relates to Workers right to information
Address self regulation
Self-imposed standards for the purpose of process control
This approach emphasizes proactive and continuous improvement in safety processes, fostering a culture of safety within organizations.
Linking OHS standards with Environmental standards
Concerns with traditional OHS services
Informal sector complicates regulation of health and safety
Increase in working from home
practices
• Outsourcing & sub-contracting
Proximity of homes to work environment, e.g., agricultural fields
Outsourcing to home-based
work
OHS practice traditionally geared towards formal sector - large growth in informal sector unprotected
Focuses on control of hazards at the workplace, not how they get to other environments like home, taxi, playgrounds etc.
Proximity of work to home - farms and tailings of mines.
Policies
International
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to promoting social justice and internationally recognized human and labor rights. Established in 1919, the ILO is unique among world organizations in that it brings together representatives of governments, employers, and workers to jointly shape policies and programs.
The ILO’s unique tripartite structure includes representatives from governments, employers, and workers, ensuring that all three parties have an equal voice in the development of its policies and programs.
The Conference, often referred to as the International Parliament of Labour, meets annually to set the broad policies of the ILO, including adopting new international labor standards.
Elimination of Child Labor:
Promotion of Gender Equality:
Decent Work Agenda:
National
The South African Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) is a comprehensive legislative framework aimed at ensuring the health and safety of employees in the workplace. Officially known as the Occupational Health and Safety Act No. 85 of 1993, it places obligations on employers, employees, and other stakeholders to maintain a safe and healthy working environment.
The primary goal is to promote the health and safety of employees by preventing work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths.
The Act assigns specific responsibilities to employers and employees to ensure that health and safety measures are implemented and maintained.
Emphasizes the importance of cooperation and consultation between employers and employees in maintaining workplace safety.
Sections of OHSA
Duties of Employers (Section 8):
Employers must provide and maintain a safe working environment without risks to health.
This includes ensuring that machinery and equipment are safe, providing necessary training, and ensuring the safe use, handling, and storage of substances.
Duties of Employees (Section 14):
Employees are required to take reasonable care for their health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
They must cooperate with employers in complying with the Act and report unsafe conditions.
Health and Safety Representatives
and Committees (Sections 17-19):
Employers must appoint health and safety representatives in workplaces with more than 20 employees.
Health and safety committees must be established in workplaces with more than 100 employees to review and monitor safety measures.
Reporting of Incidents (Section 24):
Employers must report any workplace incidents that result in injury, illness, or death to the Department of Employment and Labour
Inspections and Enforcement (Sections 28-31).
The Act empowers inspectors to enter workplaces, inspect facilities, and enforce compliance with health and safety regulations.
Regulations
General Safety Regulations: Cover a broad range of workplace safety issues, including machinery safety, fire precautions, and emergency procedures.
Construction Regulations: Provide specific safety requirements for the construction industry, addressing issues such as scaffolding, excavation, and construction site safety.
Hazardous Chemical Substances Regulations: Regulate the use, handling, and storage of hazardous chemicals in the workplace.
Compensation for ill-health caused by occupation
Compensation for Occupational
Injuries and Diseases Act 1993
Medical costs and temporary disability
Compensation for injury, disease, death
Everyone has the right to life, to work… to just and favourable conditions of work… Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of themselves and of their family
(Universal Declaration of Human Rights, UN, 1948)
Self regulation vs enforcement
International and National inequities aggravate exposures
International and national inequities significantly aggravate exposures to occupational and environmental hazards in South Africa. These inequities manifest in various ways, including economic disparities, limited access to healthcare, and inadequate regulatory enforcement.
Economic Disparities:
Developing countries like South Africa often rely on industries that are highly polluting, such as mining and manufacturing, to boost their economies. Multinational companies may take advantage of weaker regulations and lower labor costs, leading to higher exposures to occupational hazards.
Technological Gaps
Developed countries have access to advanced technologies and practices that reduce exposure to hazards. In contrast, developing nations often use outdated and less safe technologies, increasing risk levels for workers.
Global Trade and Environmental Dumping
Some developed countries export hazardous waste to developing nations, where it is processed under less stringent environmental controls. This can lead to severe environmental contamination and health risks for local communities
The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal aims to address this issue, but enforcement remains a challenge.
National Disparities
Socioeconomic Inequalities
Within South Africa, there are significant disparities in income and living conditions. Poorer communities often live closer to industrial areas and are more exposed to pollution and environmental hazards.
Access to Healthcare
Regulatory Enforcement
While South Africa has robust environmental and occupational health regulations, enforcement is often weak, especially in areas with limited resources. Corruption and lack of political will further impede effective regulation.