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1) Consider your workplace or a workplace of one of your family members. Are there chemical, biological, radiological or ergonomic issues? Using the industrial hygiene hierarchy of controls, how might you address the issues? How are they being addressed in reality?
I work in an office, meaning that we are sedentary for majority of the day. I have noticed how this has impacted my joint health,  and how my back begins to hurt after sitting for a long period of time. Overtime I developed a herniated disc in my lower back and had to address this to my employer. When looking at the hygiene hierarchy of controls, my employer and I utilized administrative controls, and replaced my sitting desk with an adjustable standing desk. I am lucky enough to have an employers who recognizes the importance of ergonomics, however, i do not believe these issues are being address properly across the workforce, primarily due to lack of funding/knowledge.  
2) What might be the barriers to workers exercising their rights to a healthy and safe workplace?
There are several barriers. One there can be a language barrier where an employer may not be able to address their concerns/needs. Two, there might be a power struggle where employees feel it would be impossible to address such issues to employers for the fear of them lashing out, or being misunderstood/put down. 

Comments

  1. UnknownDecember 5, 2018 at 8:40 PM

    other than changing your physical health by being sedentary at work, did you consider other toxic exposures at your work place? like some in the building material or plumbing system perhaps?

    ReplyDelete

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