Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)
According to International Labour Organization (ILO), around 160 million people suffer from occupational diseases and 2 million people die every year as a result of occupational accidents and work-related diseases and injuries. Similarly, around 337 million fatal and non-fatal accidents occur each year. Still the figures are quite underestimated as nearly 50% of workplace injuries are never reported, especially in developing countries.
Moreover, under-reporting exists because of the failure to recognize the work-related origins of diseases.
In the light of the hazards posed by work and work environment, the following five broad strategies have been adopted in the provision of occupational health services to staff of the Mfensi Government Hospital:
In the light of the hazards posed by work and work environment, the following five broad strategies have been adopted in the provision of occupational health services to staff of the Mfensi Government Hospital:
Preventive activities aimed at preventing the occurrence of injury and disease. Key elements of this include identification, evaluation and control of hazards.
Promotional activities including provision of information and education to employees to enhance their safety behaviors and adoption of habits that favor healthy lifestyles.
Curative activities that offer treatment and advice regarding injuries and diseases.
Rehabilitation activities in the event of disability following an injury or disease, essential to help the affected persons regain their skills or acquire new ones that will enable them return to work.
Research activities which entail investigations and studies on the work environment, and into diseases and injuries as they relate to work and conditions of work. The Occupational Health and Safety unit is made up of a coordinator and different categories of health workers whose main responsibility is to co-ordinate the implementation of occupational Health and safety.
OUR VISION
To become a leading medical centre of best safety practices in Ghana and Africa.
To become a leading medical centre of best safety practices in Ghana and Africa.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
To promote and maintain a high degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers in a safe and healthy work environment.
To promote and maintain a high degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers in a safe and healthy work environment.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Risk assessment and control
Development of policies, procedures and action plans for the identification, assessment, and control of hazards in the workplace.
Medical Surveillance (Annual) : Medical surveillance is a means of monitoring the health of staff. The facility takes necessary measures to detect and facilitate the management of ill-health among staff. Provisions have been made to facilitate access to care as well as obtaining referrals for further management.
Protection of Staff from Harassment and Abuse : In the event that an employee suffers from or is threatened with physical, sexual, or psychological abuse from a client/patient or his/her representative, the employee should immediately or at the earliest opportunity report to his/her supervisor who is to ensure an investigation of the matter and appropriate action taken. In serious cases, it may necessitate the withdrawal of services from the client/patient.
Accident and Incident Reporting: The ultimate objective is to review all unsafe conditions to determine whether there are any control measures in place and whether they are performing as they should. It is a statutory obligation that accidents should be reported to the appropriate authorities. This action then leads on to finding solutions to prevent future occurrences.
Health Promotion: Health promoting strategies adopted include education and training, counseling services and information provision in general lifestyle issues and on specific workplace exposures.
Health Promotion: Health promoting strategies adopted include education and training, counseling services and information provision in general lifestyle issues and on specific workplace exposures.
Coordinates with Fire service Team on training for Evacuation Drills/Fire-fighting
