PUB HLTH 7031 - Occupational Hygiene and Ergonomics
North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2015
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code PUB HLTH 7031 Course Occupational Hygiene and Ergonomics Coordinating Unit Public Health Term Semester 2 Level Postgraduate Coursework Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Internal & external mode Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N Restrictions Available to Grad Cert, Grad Dip, MPH students Assessment Exercises, tutorials, major assignment & participation Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Professor Dino Pisaniello
Course Coordinator: Prof Dino Pisaniello
Phone: +61 8313 3571
Email: dino.pisaniello@adelaide.edu.au
Location: L8 Hughes Building North Terrace
Course Coordinator: Mr Paul Rothmore
Phone: +61 8313 3568
Email: paul.rothmore@adelaide.edu.au
Location: Level 7, 178 North Terrace
Learning and Teaching Team
Phone: +61 8313 2128
Email: postgrad_enq@adelaide.edu.au
Location: Level 7, 178 North TerraceCourse Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
1. Explain the basic conceptual frameworks for occupational hygiene and ergonomics
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific basis of occupational hazard exposure criteria
3. Discuss the scientific basis of common techniques used for the evaluation and/or control of various occupational health exposures
4. Prepare a critical review of existing or proposed occupational hygiene and ergonomics interventions
5. Apply and explain the application of the hierarchy of hazard controls for occupational hygiene and ergonomics issuesUniversity Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1-5 The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 3-5 An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 3-5 Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 1-5 An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 1-5 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
Introduction to Ergonomics (3rd Edition) by R. S. Bridger. CRC Press, 2009. Obtainable from Unibooks. Cost approx. $108.
Note: There is 1 copy of this book on short-term reserve in the University Library.
In addition a set of readings will be provided on MyUni with material relevant for each topic. Please ensure you have appropriate access prior to commencement of the course.
A set of readings will be provided on MyUni with material relevant for each topic.Recommended Resources
For those wishing to develop a professional library, suitable reference books include:
Hygiene
• “Principles of Occupational Health & Hygiene – 2nd Edition” Editors: S. Reed, D. Pisaniello, G. Benke and K. Burton (available from the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists Office; details are at the following URL: www.aioh.org.au). ISBN: 9781743311295 Allen and Unwin. 2013 Australian Price (inc. GST): $85 Also available from UniBooks and the Allen and Unwin website.
• Patty’s Industrial Hygiene, Sixth Edition, 2011 Edited by Vernon E. Rose and Barbara Cohrssen, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Available electronically through the Barr Smith Library
• Modern Industrial Hygiene. Volume I. Recognition and Evaluation of Chemical Agents. Perkins J.L. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1997. 840 pp ISBN: 0442021054
• Modern Industrial Hygiene, Vol. 2: Biological Aspects. Perkins J.L. (Ed.) Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, New York, 2003. 771 pp, ISBN: 1882417488
• Recognition of Health Hazards in Industry, W.A. Burgess, N.Y., Wiley Interscience, 1995
Ergonomics
In addition to your prescribed textbook there are a large number of excellent reference books available which would be suitable for a professional library. Some of these, however, are prohibitively expensive:
• International Encyclopaedic of Ergonomics and Human Factors (3 volume set). Edited by Waldemar Karwoski
• The Occupational Ergonomics Handbook (2 volume set). Edited by William Marras and Waldemar Karwowski
• Fitting the Task to the Human, 5th Edition, Kroemer K. & Grandjean E., Taylor and Francis, London, 1997.
• Bodyspace - Anthropometry, Ergonomics & the Design of Work, 3rd Edition, Pheasant S & Haslegrave C, Taylor & Francis, London 2005.
• Evaluation of Human Work (3rd Edition). Wilson J. and Corlett E., Taylor and Francis, London, 2005.
ON-LINE RESOURCES
You will need to access public sites such as SafeWork Australia (formerly the Australian Safety and Compensation Council); the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and WorkCover (SA). The web addresses are:
http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh
LIBRARY GUIDE
You can find a comprehensive guide to Library Services, including various databases (including SCOPUS and PubMed), prepared by a Reference Librarian at:
http://libguides.adelaide.edu.au/publichealth
PubMed
PubMed comprises more than 22 million citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books. It is freely available at:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi
SCOPUS
Scopus is the largest abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature and web source. It is available on the University of Adelaide website at the following link:
http://www.scopus.com/home.url
CISDOC
The CISDOC database is a collection of bibliographic information on occupational safety and health matters. It is does not contain the full text but has sufficient information in order to locate these documents, as well as an abstract of each of them.
CISDOC can be accessed at the following URL:
http://www.ilo.org/dyn/cisdoc/index_html
NIOSH Tic-2
NIOSHTIC-2 is a bibliographic database of all research reports supported in whole or in part by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
NIOSHTIC2 can be accessed at the following URL:
http://www2a.cdc.gov/nioshtic-2/default.asp
ILO ENCYCLOPAEDIA
The English version of the ILO Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety is available to the world for free on the ILO Web site at:
http://www.ilo.org/safework_bookshelf/english/
The Encyclopaedia is a unique and widely respected reference. The InFocus Programme on Safety and Health at Work and the Environment (SafeWork) has now made the Encyclopaedia the centrepiece of its "SafeWork Bookshelf", which presently also includes the ILO/WHO/UNEP International Chemical Safety Cards.
USEFUL ONLINE ERGONOMIC TOOLS
There are many sites offering free access to electronic ergonomic tools. Here are 2 particularly useful sites:
http://personal.health.usf.edu/tbernard/ergotools/index.html
http://www.ergonomics.ie/mirth.htmlOnline Learning
This is an online course. All course-related material is available through MyUni where you will also find Announcements related to this course and Discussion Boards where you will submit assignments and conduct discussions with your fellow students. Copies of presentations will be uploaded during the semester. MyUni is accessed by entering the The University of Adelaide website and then selecting the MyUni tab (bottom right-hand corner) or by following this link - https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/webapps/login/. You will then be prompted to enter to username and password. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
As an online course much of the contact you have with fellow students and staff will be via MyUni You will be assigned to an online discussion group to which you will submit your answers to tutorial questions. Following submission of your assignment there is a period where you will have the opportunity to read, and provide constructive comment, on the work of your fellow Discussion Group members. Participants in this course have a wide range of backgrounds and this is your opportunity to gain an insight into different problem-solving perspectives (and remember your contribution is assessable).Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
The University expects full-time students (i.e. those taking 12 units per semester) to devote a total of 48 hours per week to their studies. This means that, for this course, you are expected to commit approximately 12 hours per week to private study.
Lectures for locally-based students are offered by industry experts during the Semester. Students are encouraged to attend where possible. Attendance should be considered as part of the suggested 12 hour study commitment per week.Learning Activities Summary
Week Topic Lecture Week 1 Introduction to Ergonomics Ergonomics as a Discipline
Ergonomics ModelsWeek 2 Anthropometry and Design Principles Anthropometry and Statistical Methods
Using Anthropometry Data
User Centred DesignWeek 3 Work related Musculoskeletal Disorders I Hazardous Manual Tasks
Anatmony & Biomechanics of the Low Back
Age related changes
The REBA ToolWeek 4 Work related Musculoskeletal Disorders II The Upper Limb
Risk Factors
Work related Disorders
The RULA ToolWeek 5 Cognitive Ergonomics and Job Design Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice
Psychosocial Risk FactorsWeek 6 The Older Worker Safety Culture
The Older WorkerWeek 7 Introduction Intorduction to Occupational Hygiene
Heat StressWeek 8 Physical Hazards I Radiation (Ionizing) Week 9 Physical Hazards II Noise and Evaluation Control Week 10 Physical Hazards III Vibration (hand-arm and whole body)
LightingWeek 11 Chemical Hazard Evaluation Introduction to Chemical Hazards
Chemical Exposure Evaluation
Biological Monitoring for Exposure to ChemicalsWeek 12 Chemical Hazard Control Industrial Ventilation
Personal Respitory Protection
Chemical Protective ClothingSpecific Course Requirements
N/ASmall Group Discovery Experience
N/A -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Learning Outcome ERGONOMICS Ergonomics Exercises
· The Ergonomics Model
· Ergonomics ToolsSummative
Summative7.5%
7.5%1 Major Ergonomics Assignment Summative 35% 3 OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE Heat Stress
· Exercise
· TutorialSummative
Summative10%
5%1,2,5 Noise and Radiation
· Exercise
· TutorialSummative
Summative10%
5%1-4 Chemical Exposure Assessment & Control
· Exercise
· TutorialSummative
Summative15%
5%1-4 Assessment Related Requirements
N/AAssessment Detail
ERGONOMICS
ERGONOMICS EXERCISES
The ergonomic exercises are worth 15% of the total mark for the course (7.5% each). Students will be expected to work through the issues raised in these questions via on line interaction in a Discussion Board.
Exercise 1
Due Date: See the MyUni Course site
Using an activity in your own workplace (or one you are familiar with) as an example, describe how you might conduct an assessment using either of the two Ergonomics Models provided as a framework. This should be no more than 1-page. If possible you should use the activity you might use for your Major Assignment.
Exercise 2
Due Date: See the MyUni Course site
Complete either a REBA or RULA analysis on the relevant tasks pictured at the end of the Module 2 Study Guide. Submit the results sheet and provide some dot point comments (no more than half-a-page) on its potential usefulness for developing control options.
MAJOR ERGONOMICS ASSIGNMENT
Due Date: See the MyUni Course site
The Major Ergonomics Assignment is valued at 35% of the total marks for the course.
The written assignment should include an analysis of an issue relating to an occupational task /setting of your choice. The paper should clearly indicate the application of ergonomics theory, analysis and practice to the issue. The paper must provide a concise description of the issue and its effect on the people involved (based on your own direct observations), including a review of contemporary literature. The methodology you adopt for analysis of the issue should be included, as well as a discussion on the key points. It is essential that you include recommendations for improvement of the situation in your assignment.
Your assignment should not exceed 2000 words (tables, appendices and photographs are encouraged and are considered additional) Penalties will apply for late submissions. Any extension must be negotiated with the lecturer prior to the due date.
Structure of Paper: The paper should be presented in academic report format. It should be structured to include a brief introduction of the topic to set the scene and indicate why this topic has ergonomics relevance. The background should define the scope of your review and an overview of appropriate literature. It is essential that you focus on some key aspects of the job / task (based on your own direct observations) so that you are able to conduct an assessment of some depth, rather than a superficial statement of issues.
You should briefly describe or define the methodology you have used to assess the system and present your findings.
The most significant part of the paper should address a discussion of findings and key issues in an ergonomics systems context; leading to recommendations or identification of areas of further research / analysis where relevant.
Give your assignment a title – e.g. An Analysis of Nursing Tasks in an ICU.
Use sub-headings to guide the reader – e.g. Introduction/Background, Methods, Discussion, Conclusion, Recommendations.
Remember to label all tables, photographs and refer to these in the text
The paper should acknowledge contributors and permission should be obtained from workplaces to utilise information for academic purposes.
Referencing:
The use of a standard reference system is essential. For this assignment the Harvard system must be used.
The Harvard system cites the first author and year of publication in the text, and assembles the references in alphabetical order
at the end of the article.
Detailed information is available on the University of Adelaide website: http://libguides.adelaide.edu.au/academic_writing
Possible topics: The following topics are provided as suggestions only.
You can select any of these or a topic / work application of your choice. It must have an ergonomics focus and lend itself to analysis of the human - work system. If in any doubt about the topic or focus, please discuss the issues with the ergonomics lecturer in person or online.
1. Nurses in a hospital intensive care unit
2. Mining
3. Food manufacture / processing
4. Building / construction
5. Library workers
6. Customer call centre
7. Clothing / textile / footwear manufacture
8. Laboratory workers
9. Surgery
10. Child Care workers
11. Agriculture / horticulture
Submission
SUBMISSION OF THE ERGONOMICS EXERCISES
Ergonomic exercises 1 and 2 are to be submitted to your allocated on-line tutorial group (in Word format) via MyUni. When uploading these remember to include your surname in the filename, e.g. Smith Ergo Ex 1.doc.
SUBMISSION OF THE ERGONOMICS ASSIGNMENT
Unless otherwise advised, please submit your assignment as a single file via Turnitin (see the Assignments section on MyUni)). Turnitin will allow you to submit drafts of your Major Assignment for electronic checking of plagiarism up until the final submission date.
The major assignment must include the following statement:
All assignments, with the exception of Module 4 (major assignment) are submitted to your allocated on-line tutorial group via MyUni. Module 4 is to be submitted electronically using Turnitin (see the Assignments section on MyUni)). Turnitin will allow you to submit drafts of your Major Assignment for electronic checking of plagiarism up until the final submission date. The major assignment must include the following statement:
PLAGIARISM STATEMENT
I declare that all material in this assessment is my own work except where there is clear acknowledgement or reference to the work of others. I have read the University Statement and Definition of Plagiarism and Related Form of Cheating at http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/230. I give permission for my assessment work to be reproduced and submitted to other academic staff for the purposes of assessment and to be copied, submitted toand retained by the University’s plagiarism detection oftware provider for the purposes of electronic checking of plagiarism.
Name:.............................................Date:....................................................
SUBMISSION OF THE HYGIENE EXERCISES
The answers to the hygiene exercises are to be e-mailed directly to Assoc. Prof. Dino Pisaniello – dino.pisaniello@adelaide.edu.au
SUBMISSION OF THE HYGIENE TUTORIAL RESPONSES
Answers to tutorial questions, and your comments, are to be posted on the MyUni website in the relevant Discussion Board.
Extensions must be requested, at the latest, by the last working day before the due date of submission. They will generally be granted only on medical and genuine compassionate grounds. Only the course coordinator, or a person authorised by them, may grant extensions.
Lateness: Marks will be deducted when assignments for which no extension has been granted are submitted late. Marks will be deducted from the mark (awarded on merit) at the rate of 5% per day.
Return of Assignments: It is anticipated that student’s assignments, with comments will be returned, to University of Adelaide student e-mail address, within 2-weeks of submission deadlines.
Resubmission: Where a student is provided with the opportunity to resubmit an assignment this may receive a maximum mark of 50% (depending on the circumstances of the required resubmission).
Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty that amounts to theft or fraud. It is the unacknowledged use of the thoughts or writings of another person, as if they are one's own. This may occur as a result of deliberate misuse of another person's work, or through ignorance or inexperience about the correct way to acknowledge other work. Plagiarism includes presenting information or paraphrasing ideas from books, articles, etc. or other students' work, without clear identification of the source through proper use of referencing; and quoting directly from a source, without indicating that it is a direct quote.
This is considered an extremely serious matter, which may lead to failure of an assignment, or even suspension from University. The University of Adelaide has a policy on plagiarism that can be viewed at http://www.adelaide.edu.au/clpd/plagiarism/students/ There is a Guide to Avoiding Plagiarism, prepared by the Centre for Learning and Professional Development at the following link: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/clpd/all/learning_guides/learningGuide_avoidingPlagiarism.pdf
#You should be aware that any of your submitted assessment work may be submitted for electronic checking of plagiarism.#
Turnitin (http://www.turnitin.com) is an online plagiarism prevention service. You must submit your major assignment via Turnitin (see the Assignments section on MyUni). You can submit drafts of your major assignment for self-checking prior to final submission (and you are strongly encouraged to do so). Note however, that your minor assignments mayalso be submitted for checking at the sole discretion of the Course Coordinator.
Guidance on length of assignments: Although we encourage students to submit assignments that demonstrate their understanding of the topic, the length of assignments should be within 20% of the expected word length. Being succinct is an important skill. A penalty of 10% of the mark (awarded on merit) may apply in the case of an obvious breach of this guidance.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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