Assignment cards

OCCUPATIONAL WORK CAPACITY CAPABILITIES 2/7

Here you will find assignments in which you consider and assess the factors relative to your industry that affect your work capacity. You will be able to reflect on occupational safety, work ergonomics, work planning, working environment, and, for example, the rules of working life of your own field of study. 

The objective is to learn what the challenges of your work capacity are, what things affect your work capacity, how you can influence it, and what things maintain your work capacity, as well as the work capacity of your entire work community. 

You can influence your work capacity with your own actions, and with good planning and assessment of work. 

Occupational safety

Occupational safety

An accident at work may either be a result of unnecessary risk taking or a sum of many things gone wrong. Work accidents are prevented by removing the hazards before things go wrong.

Read more about occupational safety: Stop, plan, anticipate

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Occupational safety: Hazards and disadvantages

The competence of those completing vocational studies includes basic knowledge of safe working practices and occupational safety. However, you need orientation to work and workplace safety instructions when starting a new job. 

The employer is responsible for occupational safety at the workplace and in the working environment. The employer is obliged to provide the employee with sufficient information about the hazards and disadvantages of the workplace before starting new work or task, or as the work tasks change. The employee should be orientated with the work, working conditions at the workplace, working methods, tools used at work, and safe working practices. The employer must obtain and provide the employees with the necessary personal protective equipment (e.g. helmets, earmuffs and safety goggles) and aids required to perform the work. 

Each work and working environment has its own hazards and disadvantages. Below are examples of how the hazards and disadvantages can be classified. You can think of means to prevent the different types of hazards and disadvantages by recognizing them. 

Examples of potential hazards in the working environment: 

  • Accident hazards (slipping, tripping, sharp objects, etc.)
  • Physical hazards (noise, radiation, thermal conditions, etc.)
  • Chemical hazards (chemicals, vapours, etc.)
  • Biological hazards (hygiene, bacteria, etc.)
  • Physical stress factors (poor working positions, manual lifting, etc.)
  • Psychosocial stress factors (stress, difficult social situations, etc.)
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Occupational safety: orientation to work

The competence of those completing vocational studies includes basic knowledge of safe working practices and occupational safety. However, you need orientation to work and workplace safety instructions when starting a new job. 

The employer is responsible for occupational safety at the workplace and in the working environment. The employer is obliged to provide the employee with sufficient information about the hazards and disadvantages of the workplace before starting new work or task, or as the work tasks change. The employee should be orientated with the work, working conditions at the workplace, working methods, tools used at work and safe working practices. The employer must obtain and provide the employees with the necessary personal protective equipment (e.g. helmets, earmuffs and safety goggles) and aids required to perform the work. 

Occupational safety is of mutual interest for the employee and the employer. The employee must also be active and take care of occupational safety at the workplace. The employees must comply with the instructions. Occupational safety does not require huge efforts, but the safety of the entire work community is based on little choices made by the employees.

Examples of little choices: 

  • You follow the instructions and mutually agreed practices
  • You keep your workstation and workspace tidy
  • You use the necessary protective equipment
  • You report any problems, deficiencies and defects
  • You follow the diligence and caution required by the work and the working conditions.
  • You use the tools and equipment properly.
  • You take care of adequate work breaks and the maintenance of your alertness
  • You take care of your own safety as well as that of other employees. 

Reference:
Asennetta työhön – valmennusmenetelmä, Työterveyslaitos

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Occupational Safety and Health Act

The competence of those completing vocational studies includes basic knowledge of safe working practices and occupational safety. However, you need orientation to work and workplace safety instructions when starting a new job. 

The employer is responsible for occupational safety at the workplace and in the working environment. The employer is obliged to provide the employee with sufficient information about the hazards and disadvantages of the workplace before starting new work or task, or as the work tasks change. The employee should be orientated with the work, working conditions at the workplace, working methods, tools used at work and safe working practices. The employer must obtain and provide the employees with the necessary personal protective equipment (e.g. helmets, earmuffs and safety goggles) and aids required to perform the work. 

Active participation of the one being orientated is a prerequisite for successful work orientation as well. Your work is more proficient and your professional skills develop by actively obtaining information and support that promotes work. Occupational safety is of mutual interest for the employee and the employer. The employee must also be active and take care of the occupational safety at the workplace. The employees must comply with the instructions.

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Safety walk

Every employee takes care of occupational safety at the workplace. It is important to identify and prevent work-related hazards. Safety walk covers walking around places that are important to the working environment and assessing their safety.
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