Environment, Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine
Study Course Implementer
Riga, 14 Balozu Street, avmk@rsu.lv, +371 67060816
About Study Course
Objective
The objective of the study course is to teach masters the latest findings on the principles of occupational risk factor assessment, the latest legislation on occupational health, safety and medicine and the organisation of the occupational health service; to give an insight in the most important issues in occupational toxicology and ecotoxicology.
Preliminary Knowledge
Must know basic theoretical and practical principles in chemistry, biochemistry, physics, microbiology and physiology.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.As a result of completing the study course, students will acquire basic knowledge of the significance, principles, directions, objectives and practical application of environmental and occupational health and will be able to: • define the significance, principles, directions, tasks of environmental health and apply them in practice; • recognise environmental pollution and take preventive measures to reduce it; • name the requirements for the planning and landscaping of populated areas, as well as planning, landscaping and operation of housing, public buildings, medical care establishments, educational establishments; • define the importance of occupational health; • name possible occupational diseases in different occupational groups, harmful risk factors and preventive measures to improve the work environment.
Skills
1.As a result of completing the study course, students will be able: • to independently, critically analyse and apply ecological reasoning to support their views; • to use practical skills to solve problems about the role of environmental components (air, water, food) and the work environment, pollution and its effects on the human body; • to identify and assess the importance of the work environment, pollution and its effects on the human body; • to recognise potential occupational and work-related diseases; • to develop preventive measures in occupational health.
Competences
1.The acquired competence allows to: • see the connection between the state of human health and the conditions of the surrounding environment; • apply knowledge of the basics of argumentation, logic and rhetoric to analyse practical situations; • develop recommendations, measures to prevent or reduce harmful environmental risk factors, ensuring optimal interaction between the human body and the environment; • take responsibility and demonstrate leadership skills in cases where the interests of environmental safety, individuals or the society as a whole require it.
Assessment
Individual work
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Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Individual work |
-
|
10 points
|
|
Studies of learning materials. Individually prepare an in-depth presentation and present to the group one of the proposed topics to be covered in parallel during the study course. |
||
Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Examination |
-
|
10 points
|
|
During the course, the student is assessed according to the following criteria: 1. There must be 100% attendance for the student to be allowed to take the exam in this course. 2. The student actively participates in classes, performs situation tasks and analyzes patient cases - 20% of the total assessment; 3. The student prepares one independent presentation during the course, which is presented in a group: 30% of the total assessment; 4. At the end of the course, the student writes an exam (in written form), drawing 3 exam ticket questions and 1 situation task: 50% of the total assessment. |
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Study Course Theme Plan
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Lecture
|
Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
1
|
Topics
|
Summary of results of current research in environmental health. Environmental impact assessment
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
4
|
Topics
|
Planning and describing research on environmental health problems – preparing research protocols
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
1
|
Topics
|
Current developments in occupational health and occupational medicine, the latest statistics, a summary of current research results. The latest in occupational health legislation and health risk assessment. Mandatory health examination
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Specialized room
|
4
|
Topics
|
Detailed assessment of work environment risk factors for new/specific work environment risks (also for specific groups of workers: young people, pregnant women, people with disabilities). Filling in mandatory health examination cards
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
1
|
Topics
|
Persistent organic compounds in the environment and impact thereof on health. Study on contamination of breast milk with persistent organic pollutants. Biomonitoring research programmes worldwide and in Europe. Research data
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Specialized room
|
4
|
Topics
|
Determination of acceptable doses of chemicals from different exposure sources – data modelling and calculation. Application of toxicological methods in workplace risk factor assessment
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
1
|
Topics
|
Assessment of ergonomic risk factors in the workplace – a summary of research data. Ergonomic risk factors: prevention of musculoskeletal system disorders
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Laboratory
|
4
|
Topics
|
Detailed research of ergonomic risk factors in the work environment – laboratory data
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Specialized room
|
4
|
Topics
|
Evaluating employee efficiency and productivity. Health promotion in workplaces. Plan of health promotion measures
|
Bibliography
Required Reading
Eglīte M. Darba medicīna. 2. pārstrādātais un papildinātais izdevums. Rīga, 2012. (akceptējams izdevums)
Eglīte M., Matisāne L., Vanadzins I. u.c. Darba apstākļi un riski Latvijā 2012-2013.
Eglīte M., Aulika B., Avota M., Baķe M.Ā., Dundurs J., Jēkabsone I., Sprūdža D., Vanadziņš I. Vides veselība // Rīga: Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte, 2008.- 696 lpp. (akceptējams izdevums)
John R. Mulhausen, Joseph Damiano, Strategy for Assessing and Managing Occupational Exposures – American Industrial Hygiene Association, 2015.– p. 350
Ārvalstu studentiem/For international students:
John R. Mulhausen, Joseph Damiano, Strategy for Assessing and Managing Occupational Exposures – American Industrial Hygiene Association, 2015.– p. 350
Additional Reading
Information notices on occupational diseases: a guide to diagnosis (angl.). Autori – ES eksperti, to skaitā M.Eglīte // Luxembourg, European Communities, 2009. – 276 lpp.
Kaļķis V, Kristiņš I, Roja Ž., Darba vides risku novērtēšana //Rīga, 2003. – 101 lpp.
Kaļķis V, Roja Ž. (redaktori). Darba vides riska faktori un strādājošo veselības aizsardzība. // Rīga: Elpa, 2001. – 500.
Wallace A. Hayes, Principles and Methods of Toxicology // Taylor & Francis, 2001, - p. 1887
Ārvalstu studentiem/For international students:
Wallace A. Hayes, Principles and Methods of Toxicology // Taylor & Francis, 2001, - p. 1887
Information notices on occupational diseases: a guide to diagnosis (angl.). Autori – ES eksperti, to skaitā M.Eglīte // Luxembourg, European Communities, 2009. – 276 lpp.
Other Information Sources
Pasaules Veselības Organizācijas interneta vietnes mājas lapa kā arī citas aroda un vides veselības nozares oficiālas un starptautiski atzītas interneta mājas lapas.