Occupational Health and Disaster Management

At the end of the course, students should be able to: 1. describe the basic concept of occupational health; 2. recognise risk factors of injuries in different working environment in the country and other countries; 3. associate different occupations with risk factors for injuries or illness; 4. describe major steps of risk prevention in workplace; 5. apply laws and industrial standard requirements in industries and other workplaces to ensure safety; 6. create job safety analysis using data obtained on injuries and risk factors for every occupation; 7. coordinate the activities of all stake holders during emergency response operation; 8. employ planning to mitigate and recover from a disaster; and 9. participate constructively as a member of disaster management team at sites or location of disaster.

The course is designed for the undergraduates in public health and others in the health Sciences programs. Overview of the history of occupational health in Nigeria and elsewhere. Attention is focused on selected occupational health problems of the various industries and occupations. Various target organs and systems affected by specific hazards are highlighted. Specific areas relating to health hazards from new environmental pollutants and early detection of impairments. Various legislations concerning safety measures for the workers and the work environments are reviewed. Visits to the various industrial setting and other places of interest to identify specific problems. Disaster and disaster Management. Phases of Disaster Management and risk reduction right from Disaster declaration process. How to conduct annual hazard mitigation risk assessment. How preparation is made for Disaster Management, such as preparation for flood, windstorm, land slide and collapsing of buildings and other Disaster issues as well as emergency response procedures and action plans. Procedures at disaster management centres or site of a disaster. Managing humanitarian crises and those of Response and Recovery after a Disaster.