Concept of Occupational Safety and Health:

Safety, in general, is the science that seeks to protect humans, avoid risks in any field, prevent loss of life, and preserve property where possible. Occupational safety is the science that focuses on maintaining the safety and health of individuals from risks they may encounter due to work activities. This is achieved by providing a safe working environment, free from causes of accidents or occupational diseases.

Alternatively, it consists of a set of rules and systems within a legislative framework aiming to protect humans and property from the danger of injury and damage. It also aims to maintain the highest degree of physical, mental, and social health for workers in all professions, protect workers from harmful health effects caused by their working conditions, and provide a suitable work environment for their physical and mental needs.

In other words, safety and health encompass complete physical, mental, and social health for workers, not just the absence of diseases or disabilities.

General Objectives of Safety:

1. Protecting individuals from injuries resulting from the risks of the work environment, by preventing accidents and injuries.
2. Preserving the elements of material resources, including facilities, devices, and equipment, from damage and destruction.
3. Providing occupational safety and health conditions, implementing them comprehensively, ensuring a safe environment, and preventing hazards to human and material elements.
4. Establishing a sense of security in the hearts of workers during their work.
5. Preserving time and effort lost due to work injuries and occupational diseases.

Safety Areas:

Safety intervenes in various life areas, with the industry being the most critical field where the need for safety measures is evident. This is to prevent or reduce workplace accidents and minimize the possibilities of occupational diseases, given the higher risks associated with this sector. However, this does not mean that safety measures are unnecessary in other areas. For example, in the field of traffic, following safety procedures is essential, especially considering that the death rate due to traffic accidents may exceed that of industrial accidents.

Major Production Elements:

Occupational safety, as an aspect of any organization, reflects administrative development and successful economic planning. It signifies awareness of the importance of safety as a vital production sector. Occupational safety, in its modern and comprehensive concept, means preserving the major production elements:

1. Human resources within and outside the organization.
2. Raw materials and manufactured materials.
3. Equipment and production tools.
4. Surrounding environment: water, air, and soil.

To advance occupational safety, it is essential to care for these four elements through:

• Scientific and purposeful planning.
• Evolving and specialized legislation keeping pace with developmental progress.
• Implementation and adherence to legislation through technical supervisory and regulatory bodies.

Impact of Poor Working Conditions on Worker Safety and Health:

Any form of poor working conditions can impact the safety and health of workers. Unhealthy or unsafe work conditions are not limited to workplaces; they can occur anywhere, internally or externally. Poor working conditions can also affect the environment in which workers live, as work and living environments are often the same for many individuals.

Occupational risks can have harmful effects on workers, their families, and other members of society. Traditional examples include the use of pesticides in agriculture, where workers may be exposed to toxic chemicals through various routes.

The efforts invested in occupational safety and health should aim to prevent workplace accidents and occupational diseases. Simultaneously, these efforts should distinguish the connection between worker safety and health, the workplace, and the environment outside the workplace.

In summary, the efforts in occupational safety and health aim to prevent workplace accidents, distinguish the connection between worker safety and health, the workplace, and the environment outside the workplace, and mitigate the harmful effects of occupational risks on workers and their families, as well as on the broader community and the natural environment.

Why is Occupational Safety and Health Important?

Work plays a crucial role in people's lives because most workers spend at least eight hours every day at their workplace, whether it's on a farm, in an office, or a factory, and so on. Therefore, work environments should be safe and healthy. Unfortunately, this is not the case for many workers who, on a daily basis, face various health risks globally, such as dust, gases, noise, vibration, and extreme temperatures.

Regrettably, some employers take little responsibility for protecting the safety and health of their workers. In fact, some employers may not precisely understand that their ethical and legal responsibility lies in safeguarding the workers. As a result of risks and a lack of attention given to safety and health, workplace accidents and diseases are common worldwide.

Identifying Workplace Risks:

There is an unlimited number of risks that can be present in almost any workplace. Some unsafe working conditions are apparent, such as machinery lacking protective measures, slippery floors, or insufficient fire extinguishing precautions. However, there are also hidden risks (those that may not be obvious), including:

• Physical Risks: Such as noise, vibration, inadequate lighting, radiation, and extreme temperatures.
• Chemical Risks: Resulting from liquids, solids, dust, smoke, vapors, and gases.
• Electrical Risks: Arising from electric shock hazards due to faulty connections and electrical equipment.
• Mechanical Risks: Resulting from machines, mechanical equipment, tools, conveyors, and rotating parts.
• Engineering Risks: Construction hazards, loading and unloading risks.
• Biological Risks: Such as germs, viruses, infectious waste, insects, and rodents.
• Fire Risks: Due to the absence of safety measures during construction, lack of fire alarm and firefighting equipment, and inadequate training.
• Psychological Risks: Arising from stress and pressure.
• Risks Associated with Non-Application of Ergonomic Principles: For instance, poor design of machines, equipment, and mechanical tools used by workers, or inappropriate design for workplace sitting, or poor design of work practices.

The interactive library on the website provides safety and health videos in various fields. Additionally, the library contains books on the subject of occupational safety and health that can be referenced and utilized for further learning.