Course in Occupational Health, Workplace Protection, and Occupational Diseases

In today’s rapidly changing work environment, the importance of occupational health, workplace protection, and the prevention of occupational diseases has become a fundamental priority for institutions aiming to sustain productivity and safeguard their most valuable resource: people. Risks in the workplace are no longer limited to visible accidents, but also include continuous exposure to physical, chemical, and biological factors that can result in chronic conditions and long-term health problems. Against this background, Geneva Institute of Business Administration presents this specialized training program titled “Occupational Health, Workplace Protection, and Occupational Diseases”, which is designed to provide participants with comprehensive knowledge and practical tools for promoting occupational health, protecting workplace environments, and preventing work-related illnesses. The program focuses on building a safe, healthy, and sustainable work culture that ensures organizational resilience and protects workers’ wellbeing.

Target Audience

• Occupational health and safety officers in public and private institutions who are responsible for establishing and implementing preventive measures and safety policies.

• Human resources professionals who aim to create healthier workplaces that reduce absenteeism, workplace injuries, and job-related stress.

• Supervisors and department managers in technical and industrial sectors who are directly exposed to workplace hazards and need to understand control strategies.

• Physicians, nurses, and specialists in occupational medicine who wish to expand their expertise in the prevention and management of work-related diseases.

• Labor union representatives and regulatory authorities seeking to strengthen their role in ensuring safe working conditions and protecting employee rights.

Objectives

• Provide participants with a solid foundation in the principles of occupational health and its essential role in enhancing performance, productivity, and institutional sustainability.

• Enable participants to identify and evaluate workplace hazards through effective risk assessment techniques, and to develop appropriate preventive solutions.

• Equip participants with knowledge about the most common occupational diseases, their causes, and practical measures to reduce or eliminate associated risks.

• Raise participants’ awareness of the importance of health and safety programs in promoting a proactive preventive culture across institutions.

• Strengthen organizational capacity to implement modern occupational health management systems aligned with international standards and best practices.

Course Outline 

• Concept and Importance of Occupational Health

  • Definition of occupational health and its relationship to employee wellbeing.

  • Role of occupational health in improving institutional productivity.

  • Shared responsibilities between management and employees.

  • International standards and guidelines on occupational health.

• Workplace Environment and Influencing Factors

  • Physical factors (noise, lighting, temperature, radiation).

  • Chemical factors and their effects on employee health.

  • Biological hazards and their sources in the workplace.

  • Psychological and social impacts of the work environment.

• Workplace Hazards and Risk Assessment

  • Types of occupational hazards and exposure sources.

  • Methods for identifying workplace hazards.

  • Risk assessment techniques and evaluation criteria.

  • Prioritizing interventions to mitigate hazards.

• Strategies for Prevention and Hazard Control

  • Engineering controls and workplace design improvements.

  • Administrative and organizational safety measures.

  • Appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

  • Ongoing awareness and training programs.

• Occupational Diseases: Concept and Types

  • Definition of occupational diseases in international regulations.

  • Respiratory diseases caused by dust and chemicals.

  • Skin diseases resulting from exposure to hazardous substances.

  • Hearing and vision problems linked to workplace conditions.

• Causative Factors of Occupational Diseases

  • Long-term effects of chemical exposure.

  • Noise, vibration, and their impact on the nervous system.

  • Biological infections in healthcare and laboratory settings.

  • Work-related stress and psychological disorders.

• Workplace Protection and Sustainability

  • Designing safe and healthy work environments.

  • Ventilation, lighting, and ergonomic considerations.

  • Waste management within workplace settings.

  • Applying quality management principles in workplace safety.

• Legislation and Regulations on Occupational Health

  • National laws governing occupational health and safety.

  • International labor standards and conventions.

  • Institutional responsibilities toward employees’ wellbeing.

  • Monitoring, compliance, and enforcement mechanisms.

• Health Surveillance Programs for Employees

  • Importance of regular medical check-ups.

  • Early detection systems for occupational diseases.

  • Role of workplace medical units and clinics.

  • Record-keeping and documentation of occupational health data.

• Managing Occupational Health and Safety in Organizations

  • Elements of an occupational health and safety management system.

  • Institutional health and safety policies and objectives.

  • Roles and responsibilities of safety committees.

  • Collaboration between senior management and employees.