Course Description
This course aims to introduce students to a range of environmental factors that may pose risks to the health of human populations. It addresses risk assessment and management methods for evaluating and controlling such risks. A variety of diseases associated with exposure to common occupational and environmental factors will be discussed. In addition, students engage with the historical, legislative and administrative aspects of occupational health.
Learning Outcomes
- Describe the nature of environmental health hazards and the ways in which they impinge upon communities and occupational groups.
- Outline the types of factors that influence the distribution of health disorders, within an exposed population.
- Explain 'risk' as a central concept in describing, evaluating and managing EOH problems.
- Describe the roles and relationships of key disciplines (including epidemiology, toxicology, occupational and environmental hygiene and ergonomics) in the prevention, investigation and management of EOH problems.
Learning Experience
Topics
- Introduction to Occupational Health
- The Health Hazard Management Framework
- Different Workers, Different Risks
- Chemical Hazards
- Physical Hazards
- Workplace Health and Wellbeing
- Environmental Health Risk Assessments
- Performing an Environmental Health Risk Assessment
- Food and Water
- Air and Infection
- Contemporary Issues
Development Team
Sharyn Gaskin
Course Author
Lead
Leonid Turczynowicz
Course Author
Contributer
Brianna Morello
Course Author
Collaborator
Jonno Klynsmith
Learning Designer
Lead
Jack Eames
Digital Education Developer
Lead
Assessments
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Knowledge checks
Quiz, Short Response Questions
Learners are asked a series of short answer questions to demonstrate their understanding of the theories and principles detailed in the course.
10%
-
Occupational health scenario
Reflection, Case Study
Learners choose a hazard or process in occupational health and use an occupational health hazard management framework to discuss the implications of this on a group of workers.
25%
-
Environmental health scenario
Report
In this assessment learners provide advice and the steps necessary to conduct an environmental health risk assessment around exposure within a workplace.
25%
-
Major written report
Report, Proposal
Learners identify a topic and identify and assess relevant literature. They then apply relevant frameworks to their topic and describe the process of assessing and measuring risk, responding to the hazard, and preventing future exposure.
40%
Snapshots
Learning Resources
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Addressing silicosis
Dr. Sharyn Gaskin speaks with Shelley Rowett about how the risk of silicosis is managed in the real world.
-
Health hazards on the worker
Central picture showing anonymous figure, with risks listed surrounding the figure. Each risk is indicated at the figure by an arrow. The risks are: Noise, Heat, Psychological, Vibration, Pressure, Chemicals, Bacteria/Viruses, Radiation, and Biomechanical.
