• Prof. Durgesh Nandini
• Prof. Alka Dhameja

Philosophy is about the study of existence, beliefs and ideas. The word ‘philosophy’ actually means the ‘love of wisdom’ and has been ascribed to the work of Pythagoras. The word ‘wisdom’ is not a word one hears very much in the safety industry that is far more consumed by absolutes, indoctrination and authoritarianism. In many organisations a philosophy of safety is declared in values statements or a ‘safety philosophy’ statement. These are often little more than a wish list of populist statements that have no real connection to a foundational ethic or anthropomorphic understanding of personhood. There is generally no understanding that the illogical language ‘all accidents are preventable’ must lead to blaming and perfectionism. The anthropology of such language denies fallibility and the natural logic of learning.

Industrial safety deals with the areas of safety engineering and public health that are concerned with the protection of workers’ health, through control of the work environment to reduce or eliminate hazards. Industrial accidents and unsafe working conditions can result in temporary or permanent injury, illness, or even death. They also impact on reduced efficiency and loss of productivity. On the one hand accidents cause injury to the worker and agony to his family and on the other hand, they cause mental tension and financial burden to the owner.

In construction industry hazardous conditions are part of the work environment. Workers are prone to many hazards and accidents are bound to happen it safety is ignored. Construction materials, machinery, tools and ways of handling all are associated with some kind of hazard. In addition to health hazards, there may be some fatal accidents causing serious injuries or death of construction workers if safety measures are compromised. This course aims at acquainting the learners with various hazards in construction industry and ways to create a safe working environment by taking appropriate measures.

The job safety and health movement has now become an essential requirementsince the Industrial revolution. Today, there is widespread understandingoftheimportance of providing a safe and healthy workplace. There is a sayingthatannounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Every hazard that canbeidentified should be corrected or at least minimized through the introductionofappropriate safeguards. The word safety also refers to the precautionspeopletake to prevent accidents, harm, danger, damage, loss and pollution. Safetyalso deals with improvement in working conditions for better healthandimproved productivity.

Safety is very important aspect for any industry, as an accident freeworkenvironment boosts the moral of the team members working in anyhazardoussituations. Recognizing these facts industries involving various hazardsandrisks prepare their own safety policy, safety manual, proper trainingandhavea separate department/section for safety so as to create proper awarenessandprovide the know-how-about the safety. This block cover electrical safety, fire and its prevention, electrical equipmentsafety, various Indian electricity rules or guidelines and first aids duringinjuries at the workplace.

• Prof. Boyina Rupini

Welcome to the Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental and Occupational Health (PGDEOH) of IGNOU. The Curriculum prepared for this programme is relevant and significant in the present dayscenario. This programme is in consensus with the mission of Environmental and Occupational Health which is to prevent adverse health effects related to chemicalandbiologicalcontaminantsintheEnvironmentalandOccupationalexposuresthrough education, research and service.

• Dr. Sushmitha Baskar

The second course that you study is Environmental and Occupational Hazards. In this course we have presented 4 blocks comprising 16 units. Block 1 is Natural Hazards. In this block we tried to explain you about natural hazards and disasters. Block 2 is Environmental Hazards. This block, gives an overview of Physical, Chemical and Biological hazards. Block 3 is Occupational Hazards. This block deals with hazards which can posed by specific Occupation such as Mining & Construction, Agriculture and Allied Sectors, Hospital and Health Centers and Corporate and Offices. Block 4 is Management of Natural Hazards, Environmental Hazards and Occupational Hazards. This block explicitly explained about basic disaster Management, Natural Disaster Management. You will also learn about mitigation of physical, chemical and biological hazards.

• Prof (Dr) Ruchika Kuba

You have already read about environmental health and the environment and health hazards in details in the course 1 and course 2 respectively This course focusses on the health of the employees in various occupations and the measures that can be adopted for their safety. This not only includes the strategies to be adopted by the employers, but also the responsibilities of the employees, modification of the wok environment and preventive initiatives to be undertaken. The course is divided into five blocks. Block 1 gives a basic idea of health with special reference to environment in general and occupational environment specifically. Block 2 deals with issues related to emergency, disaster preparedness and management in industrial setting. Block 3 covers the various aspects of occupational safety and management starting right from the employees duties and responsibilities. Block 4 talks about collection, recording and notification of data on occupational accidents and disease and the challenges for the same. Block 5 block provides a systematic understanding of various concepts of epidemiology, study methods in research and analysis, interpretation and reporting of data.