Health hazards, first aid and occupational health services

• Pages: 83-89

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17. Health hazards, first aid and occupational health services

17.1. General requirements

17.1.1. For works which by their very nature expose workers to hazards arising

from the use or presence of chemical, physical or biological agents and climatic

conditions, appropriate preventive measures should be taken to avoid any danger to the

safety and health of workers.

17.1.2. The preventive measures referred to in paragraph 17.1.1 should place

emphasis on the need to eliminate or reduce the hazard at the source and in particular

should require:

(a) the replacement of hazardous substances, equipment or processes with substances,

equipment or processes less harmful or hazardous to workers' safety and health;

(b) the reduction of noise and vibration caused by equipment, machinery, installations

and tools;

(c) control of the release of harmful agents or chemicals into the working

environment;

(d) training in manual lifting;

(e) proper working postures when workers are required to work in fixed working

positions or when they are carrying out repetitive work;

(f) appropriate protection against climatic conditions likely to jeopardise health;

(g) where the foregoing measures are inappropriate:

i) instituting work practices which will eliminate or minimise danger to safety

and health;

ii) supplying and requiring the use of personal protective equipment and clothing.

17.1.3. The employer should make arrangements for the identification and

assessment by competent persons of health hazards presented by the use of different

operations, plant, machinery, equipment, substances and radiations at the construction

site and take appropriate preventive or control measures against the identified health

risks in conformity with the national laws and regulations.

17.2. Occupational health services

17.2.1. The employer should provide for the setting up of or access to an

occupational health service consistent with the objectives and principles of the

Occupational Health Services Convention, 1985 (No. 161) and Recommendation (No.

171).

17.2.2. All workers should be subject to health surveillance.